Divorced Heiress
Chapter 105

Being on stage, representing my new company, reminded me of the day my father introduced me as h faces. They deserved it for spewing their poison again, as if they didn't care about anything.

I stopped paying attention to the women for a moment and focused on what was important, observin I took a deep breath when Jane asked me to say a few words and positioned myself in one spot, with looked at me with pride.

-Welcome to the launch of this brand that is inspired by my parents, Leonardo and Joelle. Thank you with a smile that soon disappeared as the nerves crept up on me while standing in front of so many people -Allow me to introduce you to L&J, the project that has been my lifeline during difficult times that my -You can do it, darling, speak from the heart.-

I read Alexander's lips as he realized that nerves could hinder my speech. He nodded with a smile on -I don't expect you to see me as the daughter of... No. I am standing on this stage representing my ow for in one place. Of course, taking the risk of starting a company from scratch is not an easy task, but ability to persist, but in the ability to start over.-

-We may step back, but we will never give up. We may experience many defeats, but we won't feel def project. Please applause for L&J.- I paused as the applause resumed, looking at Alexander, who nodde -But this wouldn't be possible without my team, without those who believed in me blindly. I invite the leading to the stage.

ghter, his heiress, leaving many in disbelief and the Lancasters on the verge of collapse. This time, I was once again enjoying the look of disbelief on their mportant guests from my position, the entrepreneurs and familiar figures who would become my potential clients.

e fixed on the table where my family and friends were sitting, those who believed in me, those who supported me when I had lost all hope, those who

uch for attending even though you had no idea who would be behind this new brand.- I said as the applause resonated again, trying to hide my nervousness looking at me with surprise, excitement, or simply expressionless, as they had been all night, waiting for the applause to die down.

and I have been through in recent days.- I continued, smiling nervously as my gaze landed on Alexander and Tristan.

e, a clear sign that I could deliver the best welcome speech.

e, Sarah Doinel, CEO and founder of L&J, a company that will provide you with the best experience in terms of quality and variety, everything you're looking e's one thing I've learned, it's that our greatest weakness is giving up, and the surest way to succeed is to try again, because strength is not only shown in the

because it's hard to defeat someone who never gives up. And I didn't give up, despite the problems I have faced. I am still here, giving my heart to this new greement with my words, joining in the applause.

oin me on stage.- I said, gesturing for my partners to come forward. Immediately, my partners hurried to greet the guests as they walked towards the stairs The only ones who remained at the table were Alexander and Tristan, and I invited them to join us, waving my hand in the air, because they deserved to be here more than anyone else, and although I tried to keep my son away from screens, this was a special occasion.

I handed the microphone back to Jane as she would introduce each member of my team as they dese man among the crowd, watching the show in complete silence, as if he disliked seeing us.

hen, Alexander stood by my side with our son in his arms, and I gave him a broad smile before looking at the audience. But my smile faded when I saw that

When our eyes met, I stopped hearing Jane's words and any noise around me. All I could hear were the fast beats of my heart as panic took over. What was he doing here? I was sure he wasn't on the guest list for this event, just like the Lancasters.

-And last but not least, Abby Dubois, partner and right-hand person of Sarah Doinel.- Jane announced, and my body froze when I heard her words.

A shiver ran down my spine as I looked at Abby with concern. She was already enthusiastically greeting the audience as her name was mentioned as a partner of L&J.

For him, Abby and I were going through a rough patch and he could sue me at any moment, and now we shared the stage while informing everyone that she was my business partner. We were screwed.

No. He was screwed, but he didn't know it.

Tomorrow he would have a big surprise.

-I thought you didn't want him to be part of your company or to be associated with me.- Alexander murmured beside me, causing me to look away from Paul and snap out of my thoughts. I smiled at him, realizing that his mother and sister were enjoying the show. -You're not part of my company, but you're part of my life and I want to celebrate this achievement with my family. Is that too much to ask?- I asked, placing my hand on his waist in a comforting gesture. A smile appeared on his face.

-Of course not, Tristan and I are delighted to accompany you, right Tristan?-

My little son, in his cute outfit, nodded his head before hugging Alexander's neck with obvious excitement. I couldn't help but smile as I hugged both of them.

Jane finished introducing the team and invited the models to take one final walk with Sapphire and the designers who collaborated with my company to bring my ideas to life, before starting the celebration for the launch, a moment I would take advantage of to connect with the big shots.

Along with the others, I stepped off the stage to reach our table, and I found it impossible to set aside my nerves this time because Paul was present and I was afraid of whatever he might do to get back at Abby for the lie.

But when I looked back to where I had met Paul's gaze, he was gone. Damn it. Now I only knew that I had to protect Abby until Paul was finally behind bars.

-That speech was incredible, so moving. It gave me goosebumps just listening to you. And it wasn't just about L&J, it was about all the shit you've been through lately, starting with Paul, and how you're still standing without a scratch.- Abby spoke excitedly, sitting between the Lefebvre brothers, and I couldn't help but glance at Vincent to make sure he was okay and that his drunken state was under control.

But he only looked at Abby as if she were the most amazing thing his eyes had ever seen.

-She's an example to follow, strong, capable, and determined. She never gives up, even when everything seems to be going wrong.- Alexander followed my friend's sweet words, and all I could do was smile and forget about the presence of the undesirables. -For that and a thousand more reasons, I love you.-

Our eyes met when I heard those last words directed solely at me, and it was hard for me to ignore the tingling that ran down my back and settled in my neck.

It had been many years since I heard that phrase from his lips, with his intense gaze, full of love, admiration. His bright eyes seemed to want to see inside me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't make a sound. I didn't know what to say to him, and I didn't get a chance to respond because a pair of women approached our table with sour expressions.

Thankfully, the attention of the guests was focused on the models who were giving their final appearance on stage, along with the sound of the music and applause that drowned out Amelia's words.

-Alexander! Stay away from that woman. And you, Alexis, you've disappointed me. How could you associate yourself with this liar?-

When Alexander heard his mother's voice, he just looked at her with a furrowed brow from his seat and hugged Tristan protectively. This was what was missing, for these women to make a scene at the launch in front of so many people.

I wouldn't allow that.

-What are you doing here? How did Grandpa allow you to travel?- Alexander asked, confused and clearly disgusted by the presence of those women. However, he had no intention of moving from his seat.

Alexis, on the other hand, got up from her chair and approached, leaning on her cane with a displeased expression.

-Why have you come? Have you gone crazy?- Alexis couldn't stay silent and spoke in the same manner as his brother, except that standing up, he looked very intimidating to them.

The expression on the Lancaster's faces was a whole poem, they couldn't believe they were talking to their own mother in that way, as if she were an undesirable being, although in a certain way, she was.

-How dare you speak to your own mother like that? You have no respect for me and it's all because of that woman. You are a disgrace for allowing them to wrap you up in their webs, you shouldn't be here next to this kind of woman... - Amelia continued spewing her venom, but was interrupted by an annoyed Alexander, who stood up from his seat still holding Tristan and with a cold and stern look, he spoke to his mother.

-I kindly ask you to leave before I call security, you are the ones who shouldn't be here, you're not on the guest list, so please.- Alexander's words completely surprised me, he was kicking them out right in front of the people at our table and the occasional passersby.

-The exit is over there.- Alexis pointed with his hand towards the exit, making it clear that he agreed with what his brother was doing.

Amelia's jaw dropped as she looked at Alexander incredulously and Gina's cheeks turned bright red, they couldn't hide how humiliated they felt, it was as if steam was about to come out of their ears.

Surely, they didn't expect that response at all, and to be honest, neither did I.

In fact, I didn't know what Alexander's reaction would be when he faced his mother, and for a few seconds I had the unpleasant thought that he wouldn't intervene because it was his mom, but it was quite the opposite.

The Lancaster siblings were defending me.

-It can't be true, you are willing to choose this woman over your own family, who has done nothing but cause problems for us. It's unbelievable.- Gina complained, looking at me with disdain, and I stood up from my seat to take Tristan from his father's arms, my son shouldn't have to witness this embarrassing scene.

What a way to meet his grandmother and aunt.

-You left the company in Alexis' hands to become the nanny of that shameless bastard.-

My blood started boiling immediately at hearing her refer to my son like that, and I had the urge to pounce on Gina and rip out her extensions, but I wasn't going to fall into her stupid game.

-Honey, didn't you tell your family the news?- I asked with a feigned tone of sadness, and I looked at Tristan with a smile, my poor son looked at the pair of crazies without understanding what was happening.

-I'm sorry, my love, with so much work I forgot, but I'll tell them in person because I know they must be very out of touch with the world due to grandfather's restrictions.-

I hid a mocking smile that was about to escape from my lips, seeing the expressions of indignation on the Lancaster's faces when they were exposed by their own son.

-What if we tell them outside? I mean, that way we show them the way out.-

-Perfect.- I nodded my head, thoroughly enjoying this moment and what was to come to put them in their place once and for all.

-I'll leave Tristan with Abby, I'll catch up with you.-

Alexander nodded and together with Alexis, they took the two women who were constantly protesting towards the exit.

Everyone at the table was witnessing the unexpected altercation with the Lancaster's and Abby was the first to speak when I approached her to ask if she could take care of my son for a few minutes, it would also give me a chance to take a look around and make sure Paul wasn't nearby.

-Do you want me to come with you? I feel like punching those uneducated women in the face. She said, referring to her ability to resort to violence, and I quickly declined, it was the last thing I wanted.

-No. It won't take us five minutes. Can you stay with Tristan, please?- I asked as I stroked my son's hair, hoping he didn't understand even a little bit of what those snakes said. Abby nodded and welcomed Tristan with a wide smile.

-Sarah, are you sure you don't need someone to accompany you? I have no problem going and put that woman in her place. How dare she talk to you like that?- Julian asked, concerned and angry, before I turned around to disappear towards the exit where the Lancaster family should be.

-Don't worry, Julian, I have to handle this matter on my own. I leave you in charge while I'm gone. I responded as kindly as possible, as it was a nice gesture on his part, but I didn't need anyone to advocate for me.

-Aren't you realizing that you're talking to Sarah Doinel? She doesn't resort to violence, but she's dangerous. Come on, give it all to those...- Vincent interrupted, dragging his words, and left the word hanging in the air when he saw Tristan looking at him, then I knew he was about to release a good insult.

-Ladies.-

I gave them a smile to keep calm and couldn't wait a second longer to leave quickly.

On the way, I greeted the guests who approached to congratulate me on my new project and took the opportunity to search among the crowd for Paul, but it was in vain, as if he had disappeared with a snap.

However, I came across the table set aside for some Doinel workers, whom I valued and considered couldn't miss the launch of my brand, and although Paul wasn't there either, I gave them a quick greeting to everyone.

To be honest, this scared me, that Paul would disappear after knowing that the fight between Abby and me was nothing more than a farce, it made my hair stand on end, there were only hours left for him to be behind bars, but that didn't mean he couldn't harm us in that short time.

Now I regretted inviting my partners to come up on stage and having Jane introduce them to everyone.

Upon reaching the exit, the cold wind hit my skin uncovered by the dress, a few meters away I could see Alexis arguing with the women in his family, while Alexander spoke on his phone with an angry expression. I approached quickly because I didn't want to miss the slightest detail, especially when the Lancasters looked so miserable.

-They're walking all over everyone, they made fun of you and now they keep attacking my wife as if they hadn't had enough with the lawsuit. Do you want to pay another million-dollar sum for them?-

From Alexander's words, I deduced he was talking to Grandfather Lancaster, who had taken it upon himself to punish the Lancasters for bringing shame to the family name.

-No, it's not Alexis' company and they weren't invited, it's Sarah Doinel's company, why didn't you ask before? Anyway, I'll send them back on the first flight to New York.-

-No!- They both said in unison, and for good reason, in New York, they would continue to receive the grandfather's punishment. Obviously, they had come here under false pretenses.

Both of them received a fierce look from Alexander, while Alexis scolded him for his behavior, and I took the final steps to approach him completely and place my hand on his shoulder, in a gesture to keep calm.

-We'll talk later, I'll solve this mess before it's too late.- Alexander ended the call with his eyes on me and I gave him a smile.

-Are you okay?- He asked in a low voice while gently placing his hand on my cheek with a weak smile, and I nodded my head.

-I'm sorry for this, I didn't know that...-

-It doesn't matter, I know they've never liked me, but it's time to put them in their place, I mean, if we want this to work.- I spoke only to him and he nodded his head, agreeing with me.

Alexander put his arm around my waist and together we confronted the Lancasters, who looked irritated by Alexis' sermons.

-Now that Sarah is here, we want to give you wonderful news.- Alexander drew everyone's attention and I smiled slightly at their expressions of astonishment, confusion, and disgust, all at once. I placed my hand on Alexander's chest sweetly and romantically, showing him that we were happier now than before and there was a powerful reason at stake.

-That child whom Gina called a bastard is Tristan Lancaster, that child is our son. Your nephew, Gina. Your grandson, mom.-