Divorced Heiress
Chapter 118

My gaze automatically landed on the face of Alexander who looked carefree, and I felt truly angry at that crazy idea they both had while I was meeting with Jack, without even consulting me first if I agreed or not. This was absurd, I could not agree with such madness.

"I hope you're joking." I said, my icy words hanging in the air as Vincent interrupted me, ignoring the looks going back and forth and not daring to utter a word due to the tension in the room after revealing the name of my cousin's buyer.

"It's not a joke, Sarah. We can discuss the details later, I just want you to know that the decision has been made, Alexander will be Doinel's new partner and it's not up for discussion."

Everyone at the table remained silent as my cousin and I argued about the matter as if it was just the two of us. This was going to give me a headache for a week.

I stayed silent for a few seconds, making my best effort not to argue. However, there was something I had to do before falling into madness.

"Let's take a five-minute break." I ordered, knowing that if we continued with this back and forth, we would end up in bad conditions, and that wasn't the idea in these critical moments. Even though it was completely difficult, I had to start accepting their decision and the reasons that led them to it, although there was much to clarify, but before...

"Alexander, can we talk for a second?" It didn't even sound like a question, obviously it was an order. I needed to know what he was aiming for by buying the shares.

Why him? He knew very well that I preferred to keep him away from the business and he was doing everything possible to go against me.

I walked out of the boardroom without looking back, and Alexander appeared seconds later without Tristan in his arms. I took a deep breath to stay calm, and suddenly the questions escaped from my mouth one after another, unable to stop myself. It seemed like I was taking it out on him.

"I want to know... why? What do you intend? What do you want, Alexander Lancaster? I understand that you have always admired Leonardo Doinel and his prestigious and important fashion company, but buying Vincent's shares? You know that he is the most important piece in the company, and you..."

I wanted to keep reproaching him for his foolishness, but he interrupted me while looking at me calmly, as if I was being unfair, as if I was the bad guy in all this. That was what I saw in his eyes.

"Don't get upset, Sarah. Look, it's the only way I can help without you saying no, thinking about what the media will say. And I understand that you don't want to mix personal with business, but I want you to know that I couldn't care less about what they say about you or me. Don't think that by buying the shares, I will take any unwarranted privileges. I just want to help you save the company. Doinel is your inheritance, it belongs to you. It wouldn't be fair for you to lose what your family has built because of a psychopath and his crazy mother. If I have the opportunity to help get your company back on track, believe me, I will do it without hesitation."

His sincere words destabilized me for a moment, dissipating the uncertainty that had settled in my chest.

Alexander scrutinized me with his gaze, taking a few steps towards me, fearing my reaction. But the truth was, I had no reason to be defensive, on the contrary, they were all putting their grain of sand to quickly and effectively overcome all the problems, and I was the only one limiting them.

"We are a team, right?" His hands sought mine, and in a matter of seconds, his warm fingers intertwined with mine, giving me the security I had lost. I took a moment to nod my head in response to his question, and he smiled, nourishing my soul.

"As the team we are, I will always support you. I will be there for you and our child through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. You can be sure of that. This time, I will do it right."

The certainty with which he said that filled my chest with serenity. Despite the dark moment I was going through, he wasn't just saying it for show, he was showing that he meant it.

I didn't take long to respond with a genuine smile. Alexander understood everything and enveloped me in an embrace that I didn't know I needed until I inhaled his scent with closed eyes, feeling the warmth of his body, feeling the calm I had lost with such bad

news.

"I trust you, partner."

I never imagined that taking over Doinel would be so overwhelming, not because of the problems the company was going through, but because of the workers who were alarmed when they found out about the situation. Panic filled the hallways, everyone feared losing their important positions. But I was doing everything possible to prevent that from happening, and today, I had the most difficult task of all, calming them down.

There was already a set date for the collaboration with Innova and LC, along with the new collection from Doinel. That was why I needed the staff to remain calm, because we had a lot of work and time was not on our side.

Furthermore, knowing that Mrs. Dubois had still not been captured had me on edge. That woman was a criminal, she was dangerous and could be hiding anywhere in the world. I feared that at any moment she would try to harm any one of us for exposing her in that way. I couldn't wait for her to finally pay for all the damage she caused.

"Officially, I am a partner and investor of Doinel..."

Alexander entered the office with Vincent, and I sighed when I saw the transfer documents in his hand, before turning my gaze to the city traffic through the window. It was already a done deal, Alexander would be associated with my company. I wanted to believe that I was doing the right thing, that this wouldn't backfire. I wanted to believe in him.

"Are you alright?"

Was I alright? What a good question.

Despite Paul being captured and the company being returned, the problems continued to haunt us.

"I am." My response was not convincing at all. He knew very well what was going through my mind.

We had discussed it all week after a long day of work. And no matter how much he encouraged me, I was afraid of doing everything wrong and losing the company. I had a great responsibility in my hands. The last thing I wanted was to disappoint my parents, who had put all their trust in me. "In five minutes, I will face the staff."

"Then we've arrived just in time. I'll go get Abby." Vincent left without saying anything more, appearing expressionless. However, I knew that selling his shares had affected him more than he had imagined.

"Sarah, everything will be fine. You have nothing to fear. The strategies will work, and besides, I'm a partner. My finance team is preparing a good strategy for the new collection. Don't worry, okay? Now you just have to think about the words you will say to those people who are afraid for their positions."

I nodded my head, although I wasn't completely convinced by his words of encouragement. Still, I took a deep breath, imagining the company free of problems. That was my goal, and I would do everything in my power to achieve it.

"Excuse the interruption." Jack appeared behind Alexander with a folder in his hand, and I looked at him, waiting for him to speak. "Everything is ready."

Those three words gave me strength. It was time to take control of my company.

"I'll be there in a second, thank you." I responded to Jack with the confidence I had almost lost seconds ago, when I overthought the situation. I received the folder he handed me with the emergency collection projection.

I glanced at Alexander to follow me, and he understood immediately. With a firm and determined step, I headed towards the reception area where all the Doinel staff was gathered, waiting for good or bad news. I wasn't lying when I said that their faces reflected concern for the future of their positions.

The executives were already waiting for me, so without hesitation, I stood securely in the space they had prepared exclusively for me, with Alexander by my side.

"Go ahead, you will do great." Alexander whispered next to me. With that, the words began to flow smoothly and confidently, addressing the employees who were looking at me expectantly.

"Good morning, everyone. I have called you all here to make an important announcement and put an end to some rumors. As you already know, Paul Dubois' fraudulent presidency has caused nothing but problems for the company. I won't lie to you, Doinel is going through an economic crisis at the moment. However, I want to inform you all that I, Sarah Doinel, will be taking control of the company as the new President. Just because we're not in our best moment doesn't mean that you will lose your jobs. This company functions thanks to each and every one of you who have worked hard to show why you're here, and I couldn't be happier about that."

I felt a great relief as I saw the worry on their faces slowly diminish.

"Considering the problems we are facing, I want to inform you that there will be an emergency collection launched together with the collaboration. There was no set date before due to Paul's lack of commitment, but now we have it, and it will be in two weeks. That's why I need everyone's collaboration to make it a success, because our success is yours. Can I count on you all?"

It didn't take long for everyone to give me a positive response, and I immediately smiled, satisfied with my team's commitment. This was a new beginning, because the company was back in good hands. I didn't expect it, but soon the applause resounded throughout the place, letting me know that I had managed to keep them calm without any problem.

I knew that everyone was going to cooperate for the good functioning of the company.

My encouraging speech continued, introducing Alexander as the new partner of Doinel and giving a brief summary of the projected strategies.

My cellphone started ringing in the pocket of my jacket and I cursed to myself for not putting it on silent before starting to speak. Still, I ignored the call, but I was forced to answer when it rang for the third time, completely interrupting me. At least I had already informed the most relevant information.

"Answer the call, it may be important. I will finish explaining the financial strategy." Alexander offered when he noticed that my phone was ringing incessantly. I apologized to the staff before stepping away to answer the call.

It was my lawyer, yes, it had to be something important. "Good morning..."

I didn't even have a chance to greet properly when he spoke.

"Ms. Doinel, good day and sorry for interrupting. I'm calling to inform you that Mrs. Dubois has been arrested outside the Doinel villa."

Hearing those words brings my soul back to my body.

The Dubois nightmare is ending.