Julian is, unsurprisingly, schooled privately in the Estate.After that, he spends most of his time with Mimi.He sketches on a tablet.He’s on his phone a lot, too.Lachlan has access to his devices through mirroring technology.He instinctively doesn’twantto check, so leaves them untouched for now.
Julian won’t ever miss an opportunity to encourage Mimi to fear and avoid Lachlan, but he is in the house, and he does adhere to a routine along the lines of acceptable safety during the day.
When the sun goes down, however, it’s very different.
Once Mimi is in bed, herNight Mommasleeping one room down, Julian’s main mission in life becomes getting free of the Estate and Lachlan quickly learns that he knows all the tricks.
The first time, he makes it about three miles away on foot.
Lachlan chases him down, wasn’t expecting it and so he’s caught out, surprised.‘Get in the car,’ he instructs in his mostdon’t fuck with metone of voice when he corners Julian on the side of the road.It’s pouring rain but Julian doesn’t seem to care.
‘Go fuck yourself,’ he says, grinning spitefully.
Lachlan has to drag him back.Physicallydraghim.
The kid complains loudly of all the “injuries” he received from Lachlan’s manhandling, and he doesn’t threaten to tell his father, he actually does it.
That next morning, Lachlan gets a video call from Alistair Penhalyx with Clara lurking nearby.They’re both in his office in the West Wing.
It’s the first time Lachlan talks with the man live.
‘Good morning, Lachlan,’the older man greets, polished tone with a modern transatlantic accent that renders him faintly half-British.He’s late sixties with dark grey hair, smartly styled, and seems to be on a private jet.He’s the first person to call LachlanLachlanwithout needing correction.‘It’s good to meet you.’
‘And you, sir.’
‘My son has informed me that you injured him last night.’
‘I had to physically wrangle him into the car, yes, but he sustained no injuries, sir.’
Alistair nods, sips champagne when handed a glass.‘I see.Let me be very clear with you, Lachlan.My son, as I’m sure you are now realising, has an especially creative determination when it comes to doing what he wants heedless of rules.He is not above manipulation of any kind.I would encourage you to utilise this speciality yourself rather than resorting to physical methods.’
‘Understood, sir,’ Lachlan answers, ‘however if your son puts himself in direct danger then I have to—’
‘Oh if I may just clarify,’he cuts across, smiling with all the warmth of a stone.‘Within the scope of your appointment, you possess full discretionary authority to apply proportionate physical coercion in the management of my son, provided it leaves neither permanent mark nor lasting impairment.I would not dream of limiting that latitude.I am merely suggesting a method that yields greater compliance with considerably less effort on your part.’
Lachlan blinks into a frown.‘You’re giving me permission to hurt him?’
‘You already possess that authority by virtue of the contract you signed,’Alistair reminds him.‘My point is simply that violence ought to be reserved for circumstances of genuine consequence, not for Julian indulging in another fleeting attempt at brief escape.I had hoped to see evidence of your psychological repertoire, given your supposedly persuasive background in Resolution Branch.’He exhales with patient irritation of a man discussing a malfunctioning investment.‘My son is unruly and difficult.Until he reaches twenty-one, it is my responsibility to shape him into excellence befitting our lineage and name.You are the latest in a long line of failures, and, after the regrettable shortcomings of the last, I have revised my expectations.’His gaze sharpens, appraising rather than concerned.‘From this point forward, I will disregard whatever accusations of injury Julian fabricates in his efforts to challenge your authority, which will remain undiminished and, from his perspective, absolute.Unless blood is drawn, I trust you are managing him appropriately.Understood?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Excellent.How are you settling in?’
‘Very well, sir.Thank you.’
The call ends.
Lachlan replays the plainer parts of the conversation, unhappy with the bottom line.After that, Lachlan rereads his contract again, but this time seeking what he didn’t notice before.
It’s cleverly buried in Emergency Authority Conditions.
Behavioural non-compliance may warrant discretionary physical intervention, provided no permanent injury is incurred or blood drawn.
He recalls Margot warning him about the language of that, but at the time he was thinking of the fact that she remortgaged her house to pay for his momma’s latest round of chemo.
It trouble him but he can compartmentalise, so he does.
Lachlan instigates renovations for the East Wing.
