Divorced Heiress
Chapter 12

NARRATED BY ALEXANDER.

I woke up before the alarm went off, as I heard the notifications bombarding my phone one after another.

I barely grabbed my phone and an article with a picture of me and Rachel appeared, I didn't remember when that picture was taken, but seeing that it was in my room, the one I shared with Sarah, I knew it was the day she came to my house and I also confirmed that she had secretly put something in my drink without me realizing it. That was why I didn't remember anything from that night.

I was surprised to realize that Sarah had given her statements to Rousell Entertainment, the most prestigious media outlet in Paris and the rest of the world for the accuracy of its articles, and this was no exception.

"An affair has ended the two-year marriage of Sarah Petit and Alexander Lancaster, but it wasn't by Sarah's hand, but by that of renowned businessman, CEO of Lancaster Collection, Alexander Lancaster, who had a secret relationship with Sarah's best friend and former university classmate, Rachel Duncan. Want proof? We have proof!"

I had exposed myself to the whole world, that was Sarah's response after all the attacks against her. Although I ignored what was being said about me and read line by line looking for information that clarified her relationship with this guy called Dubois. I didn't find it.

I threw my phone aside, feeling suddenly irritated, and it wasn't because of the attacks now directed at me after that article, but because I still had hope that Sarah would deny the alleged relationship with that man, and she didn't. She didn't speak about Paul. I didn't know what he had to do with her and that frustrated me, although I tried to deny it.

I didn't want to know anything more about the gossip we were involved in, but my mother's visit completely disrupted my plans.

"Alexander! That woman is shameless! How dare she spread false rumors about you with an obviously edited image? Can't you see the kind of woman you were married to? She's willing to harm you in order to protect her lover." My mother burst into my room, interrupting my attempt to meditate and calm my anger, without even greeting me.

Who the hell let her into the house without my permission?

I had made it clear that I didn't want to receive visitors or calls from anyone under any circumstances.

I let out a tired sigh as she moved the blanket aside and showed me the screen of her phone with the article from Rousell Entertainment.

Did she come here just to ruin my mood with that?

"Mother, that photo is real, it's Rachel with me, on this bed." My mother stayed still with her eyes wide open as if she were seeing a ghost. Whatever, I prefer that she knows the truth and insult me rather than continue attacking Sarah as if she were the culprit of all our misfortunes.

"How dare that bitch upload such an intimate photo on social media? Do you realize she's harming your image? Didn't she learn her lesson with the article from NY Entertainment? I'll have to hit her even harder so she leaves the Lancaster family alone." My mother spoke contemptuously about the woman who was once my wife, and I felt my blood boiling in my veins because she kept attacking her despite me telling her that I was the one who disrespected our marriage, but above all, realizing that NY Entertainment was involved in this and so was my mother.

So, she was the one who started this wave of gossip?

Was my own mother capable of inventing such a thing about Sarah?

With that discovery, I realized that everything was fake.

Sarah had nothing to do with Paul after all, it was just a simple hug, not a compromising photo like the one she used to defend herself, because that was what she did. She defended herself against what my own mother invented.

Did my mother despise Sarah so much that she would harm her image in that way?

"Amelia! Just shut up! It was you who started all of this! You yourself tarnished my image and Sarah's image by involving my name and that of my ex-wife in such a slander! I forbid you to speak ill of my wife, she is innocent! If you're going to speak ill of anyone, do that to me. I ruined my two years of marriage!"

I couldn't help but raise my voice as I got out of bed and looked disapprovingly at my mother. What kind of monster was my mother? How dare she attack Sarah like that after everything, when she had been so kind to everyone? And I could vouch for that. Since when did my mother hate Sarah and why didn't I realize it before?

"Your wife? Don't make me laugh. I remind you that you are already divorced and it was the wisest thing that gold digger could do, she didn't fit into this family, she's not at our level. And if I was the one responsible for the gossip to open your eyes and realize the kind of woman you married. What do you plan to do? That poor woman's reputation is already ruined."

Despite everything I told my mother, she turned a deaf ear, badmouthing Sarah when it was obvious that I knew her much better than she did. I let out a loud snort and grabbed my mother by the shoulders, staring her in the eyes. I had to put a stop to Amelia. "What you're going to do right now is contact Sarah and publicly apologize. You're going to clarify that it was you who started all this shit and that she is innocent." I spat out each word, resisting the urge to scream in her face, because after all she was still my mother.

Her surprised and ashamed gaze landed on my face. She didn't seem to agree with my order, but it was the least I could do for Sarah.

She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve my mother's constant attacks just because of the difference in social classes or because of the little or nothing that was known about her background, and now she was also being attacked by public opinion because of my mother, being portrayed as a gold digger and that was far from the truth.

After a few seconds in which she seemed intimidated by my sudden reaction, she raised her head and smiled without grace. At this moment, I didn't recognize my mother. How could she let herself be carried away by the difference in social classes? It seemed absurd to me.

"Don't even think that I'm going to apologize to that woman, let alone publicly. If you want to redeem yourself for your infidelity, the only thing I can do is lower NY Entertainment's grades and that would be too much, I'm not going to lift a finger for that orphan." She pulled away from my grip with her arrogant attitude and it angered me even more.

"None of this would be happening if you hadn't invented gossip about her. I'm not redeeming myself, I just won't tolerate you attacking Sarah anymore. Did you want us to get divorced? We are already divorced. Don't interfere with her or my life anymore." I asked her this time in a more reasonable way, holding back the annoyance and the stab in my heart.

"Has your protective side come out after the divorce? You didn't even look at her the last few months of our marriage, that's very hypocritical of you. To be honest, I like Rachel more, she's the one who is at your level." My mother's words were like needles directly to my heart, they hurt because she was right.

The last few months I was so stressed because of Rachel's blackmail that I couldn't even hide it, I simply distanced myself from my wife when I was supposed to tell her everything from the beginning. She wouldn't judge me for my past and on the contrary, she would push away that woman who claimed to be her best friend.

But I was a victim of panic, the last thing I wanted was for the whole world to find out what Alexander Lancaster did in the past. Fear engulfed me and I fell like a lamb into Rachel's trap.

"Mother..." I spoke in a warning tone and my mother interrupted me.

"Enough with the hypocrisy. I'll only remove the news and ask your ex-wife to remove the article from Rousell Entertainment, but I will never apologize to her publicly."

And without further ado, my mother left the room, leaving me alone and wanting to destroy everything in my path.

What a heartless person I had as a mother.

The news disappeared minutes later, still, I called Gerard, the president of NY Entertainment and scolded him, questioning his professionalism. I ended the call with a warning that our partnership would end if he published notes at my mother's request again without the company's consent.

I arrived at the company earlier than usual. There were few employees. However, my assistant was at her workplace as always.

"Good morning, Mr. Lancaster, you're here early today." I gave Cristina a unfriendly look and walked past her to my office without saying a word, or I would end up taking out my bad mood on the poor woman. I didn't even finish getting to my desk and my mother was calling my cell phone. I let out a tired sigh and answered.

"What's going on now?" I asked indifferently, with a cold voice. I was tired of my mother sticking her nose in my business.

"You don't have to talk to me like that. That woman is the worst!" My mother sounded furious and frustrated from the other side of the line. She didn't have to put up with Amelia mistreating Sarah. I had made it clear to her countless times before, so I ended the call without listening to what she had to say.

I sat in my swivel chair and looked at the morning traffic from the window. I wanted to pick up my phone and call Sarah, apologize a thousand times, talk to her, tell her the secret of my past that I never dared to tell her. She would understand the reason why I distanced myself, why I neglected my marriage.

But she had blocked me everywhere.

I cursed myself over and over again for believing in the NY Entertainment article. Of course, she wouldn't be capable of it. I was the one who failed, the only one responsible for everything going to shit, because of my cowardice and disgusting actions. "This better be the last time you hang up on me!" My mother's loud voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I found myself obliged to turn my chair to see her standing in the middle of my office, with Cristina trying to stop her.

"Cristina, leave the lady. I'll take care of her." I ordered my assistant, and she nodded with blushing cheeks before leaving the office and closing the door behind her.

"I'm listening." I said indifferently, as if it was just any other person visiting my office.

"I've reached my limit with that shameless woman. I contacted Rousell Entertainment to have the article removed. It's only fair after I had all the articles about her taken down, and she simply refused. She ordered them to keep the article up for longer. She's a disgrace, who does she think she is?" My mother vented, once again mistreating Sarah. But unlike previous times, I remained calm, observing her every move.

"You have to do something. This can't just be left like this."

I raised an eyebrow, feeling that this was the perfect excuse to do what I had planned since Sarah blocked me.

I asked my assistant to come to my office and within seconds, she was peering through the door.

"Do you have a cellphone with you?" I asked Cristina, and she took it out of her blazer pocket in response.

"Call Ms. Sarah."

My mother's face showed surprise, but this was what she wanted, right? For me to solve the mess she caused herself. And in the meantime, I could talk to Sarah about everything that had happened. I didn't care if she decided to distance herself forever after listening to me. At least I would have clarified everything.

I felt nervous as Cristina held the phone to her ear, and my mother sat silently in front of my desk, impatiently waiting for Sarah to answer the phone.

My hands got sweaty when Cristina passed me the phone, just in time to hear the voice on the other end of the line.

"Hello?"

My heart skipped a beat when I heard her sweet voice after several days of her absence. I stayed silent, with my mouth slightly open, unable to utter a word. Until I remembered that this was my chance to talk to her after the last time I saw her. "Sarah?" I asked the dumbest question. Of course, it was her. I would recognize her voice even if she had a cold.

"Yes, this is Sarah. Who am I speaking to?"

Suddenly, her voice turned cold, and I felt inexplicably annoyed. Did she forget me so quickly? Did she forget my voice?

"Alex..." I stopped myself, thinking that she wouldn't want to call me that anymore.

"Alexander Lancaster." I said uncomfortably under the curious gaze of my mother and my secretary.

"Mr. Lancaster. I hope your sudden call is to inform me that you've already signed the divorce certificate."

I turned in my chair towards the window, to avoid the two women realizing how much Sarah's cold response affected me. Her emotionless words pierced my heart.

I gathered myself, remembering the main reason for the call.

"I have already signed the divorce papers, Ms. Petit. However, the reason for my call is not precisely for that, but about the recent news in which we have been involved. Do you think you have a few minutes to talk and clarify the wave of rumors?" I spoke normally, as if I didn't taste bitterness in my mouth from Sarah's coldness and indifference.

I didn't remember her that way.

"At the moment I do not have time to talk, I have a very tight schedule as you can understand."

"A tight schedule? I highly doubt you don't have a few minutes from your 'tight schedule' to listen to me." I let out a tired sigh, trying to remain calm.

"I won't steal much of your time from your busy schedule. Tell me the time and I will call you back." I insisted, refusing to accept the idea that she wanted to avoid me at all costs. I needed to talk to her.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. If what you want is for me to lower the rating of Rousell Entertainment where your reputation is affected, you should have thought about it before contacting NY Entertainment to defame me in such a way."

I clenched my fist on my leg and refrained from throwing Cristina's phone on the desk because of how stubborn she had become.

I didn't care about talking about my reputation, I deserved it after all. I just wanted to tell her that I needed to see her and clarify everything. I didn't want her to hate me or be left unaware of my reasons and my biggest secret, but I couldn't do it with the women in my office attentively listening to the conversation with Sarah.

"If it is true that NY Entertainment is associated with Lancaster Collection, it was not me who was responsible for this. I have already reprimanded them for the published articles." I clarified to make the idea disappear that I was the one responsible for the wave of rumors in which she ended up being the most affected.

Was that what she thought of me?

Did she think I was capable of speaking ill of her?

How mistaken she was.

"Mr. Lancaster, I'm not interested in knowing more. The damage has already been done. My reputation has been tarnished and even if you were not to blame, you have a lot to do with it in some way. After all, they won't talk about Sarah Petit, but about Mr. Lancaster's ex-wife. Have a pleasant day."

I was about to speak, but she ended the call, leaving me with the words stuck in my mouth and with boiling blood in my veins from the anger of being hung up on like that.

I closed my eyes, containing the anger that was bubbling in my system and turned off the cellphone screen while trying to calm my irregular breathing and the anger that unleashed by hanging up without even paying the slightest attention to me. The worst part of it all was that she was absolutely right.

Even though I was not the mastermind behind all of this, I still remained responsible, if not more than the person who started it, because they will see her as Lancaster's ex-wife, not as Sarah Petit.

Damn it.

I turned my chair and met the curious gaze of both women. I handed Cristina the phone at the same time that my mother spoke.

"What did that woman tell you? Look how she left you, with a red face from anger and you still defend her."

I put on a big smile, even though I was furious inside.

"I couldn't convince her to take down the article, but I have come up with a better idea to fix this whole mess that you yourself have started."

And I really hope it worked. It was the last option I could resort to.

"You should sue her for defamation, that would be the best idea." My mother said, convinced that I would do something that would further harm Sarah.

I laughed loudly. I would never do that. I looked at Cristina, who was motionless in her place waiting for me to give her an order, and of course, I would, I would give her an unexpected order. "Cristina, please. Prepare the private jet for Mrs. Amelia and me, bound for Paris. We are going to the Doinel fashion house."