Divorced Heiress
Chapter 104

I drank what was left of the wine in my glass in one gulp, in an attempt to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth that the mere fact of seeing the venomous snakes again left me with, which I didn't miss at all.

I was beginning to understand why Vincent drank his whiskey that way. I knew from the mocking expressions on Amelia and Gina's faces that they did not come in peace, as if they hadn't had enough with the million-dollar lawsuit in New York, adding to it the punishment from Grandfather Lancaster for publicly embarrassing the family.

How did Grandfather Lancaster let them travel to Paris?

Didn't they learn from their mistakes?

How much poison did they have stored up to spit at me?

-Aren't these the women who were stopped at the end of Fashion Week in New York?- Vincent's question was unnecessary, of course I remembered, but I was so drunk that I couldn't think clearly, I even slurred my words even more than before. -Yes, they are. Look, Sarah, your mother-in-law and sister-in-law.-

I discreetly nudged Vincent to shut his mouth, but he exposed me when he complained of pain.

Spending so much time with Abby was turning him into someone like her, reckless and indiscreet.

-Huh, in their dreams they would be part of the Lancaster family again.- Amelia didn't hesitate to mock deliberately, and I smirked as if I were enjoying their unpleasant presence.

It was obvious that they had no idea that things between Alexander and I were improving more and more, and surely they would be just as shocked as when they found out my true identity, when they meet Tristan Lancaster, I would enjoy it very much. I didn't know how much they were informed about my life or the most recent events, but I would enjoy their ignorance as long as I could.

-What are you doing here? I don't remember you being on the guest list.- I didn't feel like starting an argument tonight when everything seemed to be going well, and even less with them, but if they attacked me, I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself.

I didn't even have the slightest idea how they found out about this event or how they managed to get in without an invitation, and for a moment I thought the invitation came from one of the Lancaster twins, but neither Alexander nor Alexis had a good relationship with them since the moment we went to trial in New York, at least not from Alexander's side.

-But who does this woman think she is? Now she thinks she's something because she has an important last name and is the heiress of a fashion company. The one who shouldn't be invited to such a grand event is you, haven't you heard? My son, Alexis Lancaster, is a shareholder of this brand, we don't need an insignificant invitation, we have the right to be here.-

I had to hold back my laughter because they were humiliating themselves again, as if they were very proud to be at MY launch, and I pretended to be impressed by that information, pretending I didn't know that Alexis was my brand's partner.

-Now, I ask you the same question, what are you doing here?-

-What a silly question. Can't you see she's hunting? I mean, since Alexander didn't look at her again, she has no choice but to look for a new rich husband, only a blind person could notice her.-

Gina kept spewing her venom with contempt and I nonchalantly looked at my nails, listening to every nonsense that came out of her lips.

-Sir, if I were you, I would think twice before being with that woman, she's divorced and has a very bad reputation.-

It truly seemed like an impossible task for those two women to show a bit of education and manners, they could only bring shame upon themselves by going through life insulting and boasting about what they didn't achieve on their own, with their own efforts. I wasn't going to waste words on the pair of venomous snakes, I was going to shut them up and put them in their place when they realized they were speaking to the owner of the brand they boasted so much about and for which they had an air of superiority. -What nonsense am I hearing, what clueless women, don't they know who they are talking to? Do they know who the great Sarah Doinel is?- Vincent sounded furious about the way those women were speaking about me, obviously, my cousin intended to defend me from their attacks, but I stopped him by raising a hand in the air before he could disclose any information.

Ignorance can sometimes be a double-edged sword and I was going to take full advantage of it.

-Calm down, Vin. Let them vent, let them release all the frustration they have in their chest, let them let out all the resentment. They are only proving that the days in jail were worth nothing, they are still ill-mannered women.- I said calmly, showing a smile that I couldn't wipe off my face and I left the empty glass on the bar before I finished directing myself towards them.

-I will give you a recommendation, you can decide whether to take it into account or not. - I hooked onto Vincent's arm, as if giving them the idea that I was with my new conquest, and with a raised eyebrow, I continued. - Be careful with your words and to whom they are directed, it might not be so lucky for you next time to be able to get Grandfather Lancaster to answer to a new multi-million dollar lawsuit and end up locked up for a good while like what happened with Rachel.-

I didn't want to compare them to Rachel because her case was different and, besides, her confession was very helpful, but I just wanted them to get an idea of how things would go for them if they kept bothering me for no apparent reason, they had brought it upon themselves with their bad actions.

Mrs. Amelia looked at me as if she wanted to insult me in every language, but she limited herself to pursing her lips in anger and Gina opened her mouth as if she was appalled, before looking at her mother with fear in her eyes.

-Are you threatening us?- Amelia asked with a tone of disdain and I calmly shook my head.

-Oh no. How could you think that I would threaten you? No, I wouldn't do such a thing.- I responded pretending to be anguished by the misinterpretation of my words and both of them adopted their posture of superiority again, which was perfect for me to give them my last words, before returning to the table and enjoying this beautiful night.

-I act without warning, just like I did during Fashion Week in New York, I suppose you must remember that perfectly. Rather, consider yourselves lucky, I am warning you now while there is still time. Enjoy the show, tonight is a great night. Come on, darling.- I took one of the champagne glasses that were already prepared on the bar and raised it in the air as a toast, leaving them astonished and with an unpleasant expression, before walking alongside an unstable Vincent who remained silent, but when we were far enough from the Lancasters, he burst out laughing while leaning on my shoulder and I almost lost my balance.

-I don't think your mother-in-law and sister-in-law really like you, do you think my mother-in-law and brother-in-law like me?-

Although Vincent didn't have an official girlfriend, I knew very well that he was referring to Abby with that and I couldn't help but laugh in the middle of the way because of the unfortunate situation that both of us were going through with our partners' families. -What are you saying? They adore me, haven't you noticed? It's their way of showing love.- I responded with obvious sarcasm, while taking a sip from the champagne glass in my hand.

-Margaret and Paul love you, they just want to kill us and won't rest until they see us completely broken, but it's nothing out of this world, just small things.-

I waved my hand, downplaying the issue and Vincent let out a chuckle that made us stagger towards the table.

-At least I don't have to go through the task of getting to know my first girlfriend's family.-

I nodded in agreement, touched by how he started calling Abby that, but my smile faded when I saw the scene at the table that Vincent wouldn't like at all.

I could understand that it was all part of the act for Bastian's ex-girlfriend, but at this moment, there was no reason for such a scene, there was no reason for the fake couple to be kissing again as if Jane was present watching them.

I immediately stopped in my tracks, causing Vincent to stop abruptly and look at me not knowing why I had stood there like a statue, but I didn't know what to do, or what to think at this moment, I didn't know if it was a good idea for Vincent to witness such a scene again, he could go back to the bar and drink until he emptied the flower vases or create a scene in the middle of the presentation.

Why did Vincent decide so late to express his feelings?

Why was Abby so close to Bastian?Why did I have to be in this situation?

-Vincent...- When I was about to ask him to accompany me back to the bar, I sighed with relief to see Abby separate from Bastian and avoid him when my cousin tried to kiss her again. Oh my God, I didn't want to see the world burn.

-Are you very drunk?- I asked the first thing that came to mind, and he shook his head as if I had insulted him, although it was obvious he was drunk.

-What are you talking about, I'm fine. Let's go to the table, I want to be with Abby and tell her how amazing she looks in that dress.- Vincent let go of me and hurried to the table, and I had no choice but to follow him with my nerves on edge, praying that Vin wouldn't cause a jealous scene.

Luckily for me, all he did was drag a chair to the middle of Abby and Bastian, where he sat down without caring that he was separating them and without taking his eyes off my friend, who seemed confused or amazed by his sudden presence. I sat in my seat feeling calmer and smiled at Alexander, but then I remembered that I had just met his mother and sister, so my smile disappeared immediately.

-Is everything okay, darling? Was it the lawyer? Did you get news?- Alexander asked me next to me with Tristan sitting on his lap, my son clapping excitedly with his eyes on the models on the runway, looking so beautiful and adorable in his little suit.

-It was the lawyer, he gave me the news we've been waiting for so long. This nightmare is going to end soon.- I informed Alexander, putting the issue of the vipers on the backburner, at this moment, Rachel's confession, Paul's accusation, and the lawsuit were more important than the presence of the Lancasters.

Alexander smiled widely and didn't hesitate to give me a brief kiss on the lips in celebration, then the applause around us increased and Jane's voice echoed through the events hall, catching my attention.

-And we conclude this presentation with a model that many of you know and surely many here long to have on their runways. She is Britney Bonnet, showcasing the exclusive designs of L&J.-

Britney appeared in the red dress that left her back uncovered, the silver jewelry matched perfectly with the silver high-heeled sandals that were not uncomfortable at all.

Abby and I were the only ones at our table who stood up and applauded excitedly. Tristan got even more excited, and I picked him up in my arms to enjoy Britney's magnificent closing, overflowing with elegance with every step she took, perfectly showcasing my brand.

-That's my friend!- Abby shouted from her place, although it was barely heard over the applause and music.

-Isn't she beautiful? Have you met her?-

Suddenly my friend was next to Alexis, as if she was escaping from the Lefebvre brothers. Poor Alexis shook his head while continuing to applaud Britney.

-How come you don't know her? Oh right, you were playing Sleeping Beauty. You have to meet her, she will be our star model, and besides, she is our best friend and you know we're all friends, so she will be your friend too.-

-Abby!- I called her to warn her not to be so rude to Alexis. How could she call him Sleeping Beauty?

-Don't worry, Sarah, I'm getting used to her peculiar personality.- Alexis defended her with a playful smile, although I still felt embarrassed about how my friend referred to his coma state.

-The moment has come, ladies and gentlemen. It's time to introduce the person who started this project from scratch, a person admired by many, at least I admire her, a person who is an example to follow, an example of struggle and perseverance. She is going through a tough time right now, but that didn't stop her from bringing her project, her own brand, to success. This person is like a phoenix, rising from the ashes.-

Jane wasn't giving details of my life, as the only thing she knew about my personal life was what was on the news, but it made me feel proud of myself.

-That's my beautiful wife.- Alexander whispered in my ear, and it was impossible not to smile like a fool while feeling a pleasant sensation settle in my chest.

-Applaud for mommy, Tristan. She deserves it.- Alexander's arms wrapped around me from behind, holding Tristan with one hand and with his free hand, he caressed my waist.

Tristan applauded in the midst of silence, the silence that had been created to hear the name that would come out of Jane's lips. My gaze automatically shifted and stopped at a couple of faces that looked at me as if I were a fright. The corners of my lips curved in slow motion, without taking my eyes off the Lancaster's, when Alexander planted a kiss on my cheek.

-Please, applause for the founder of L&J, the one responsible for a promising brand. Let's welcome Sarah Doinel.- Jane's voice echoed throughout the place and was immediately followed by applause directed at me.

The collective gasp of the guests made me smile, as I was taking many by surprise, but especially Amelia and Gina, who couldn't stop staring at me with daggers in their eyes.

In the next second, I noticed that Amelia's gaze was fixed on Tristan, who was applauding me enthusiastically, and she was forced to sit at one of the tables while sipping a glass of champagne as if it were water.

I glanced at my son in my arms and smiled at his cute outfit, but soon I understood the attack Amelia was undergoing, and that was because no one could deny that he was a mini version clone of Alexander. They looked so alike, and the identical outfit didn't help much.

I had to suppress the urge to laugh when I saw Gina starting to fan her mother's face.

Were the three heart attacks coming soon?

And I had just begun to enjoy this wonderful evening.