Divorced Heiress
Chapter 36

The surprise of all those present was more than evident, even Jack, who was oblivious to everything and everyone, was astonished by the news that Alexander was giving on stage.

If the hall had been in complete silence, the collective gasp would have been heard.

The honey-green eyes of this person named Alexis met mine and a chill ran through my body. I held onto Paul's arm, regaining the strength that was threatening to leave my body, and I didn't understand why. Questions began to swirl in my head, without taking my eyes off that man in the wheelchair, and the more thought, the more I trembled.

Why did I never know of his existence?

Why was he hidden until this moment that he just woke up?

What was so grave that happened to him to end up like this?

Why did this stranger defend me from his own sister in that manner?

And the most perplexing.

If he was in a coma for thirteen years, how did he know my name and my real last name?

My real last name!

Not even Alexander knew it, and although I blurted it out the first time I saw him years ago, out of nerves from being caught by my escort in the underground race, he never remembered, and it was not surprising coming from Alexander.

My legs almost gave way, remembering the moment Alexis came to me to greet me with his trembling voice, as if it was difficult for him to speak. But if it was so difficult for him to utter a single word, how did he manage to reprimand Gina a moment ago? Although he looked so fragile and tender, he had a strong character and power. I could say he surpassed Alexander himself, as he was able to put Gina in her place with the intention of defending me.

There was something about him that left me with a sense of intrigue and unease. I was taken by a powerful feeling of anguish mixed with surprise, and it was impossible for me to look away from the mysterious Alexis Lancaster.

"I won't go into details, as it is the Lancaster family's private life. Nevertheless, I take advantage of this important night to present him to the media and announce that, once he recovers, he will be part of the Lancaster Collection. You are seeing the face of the next vice president. Please applause." I snapped out of my reverie when everyone applauded in shock at the bomb that Alexander just dropped, giving the media plenty to talk about.

No one expected this.

"Sari, honey, shall we go?"

I broke eye contact with Alexis when I heard Paul's calm voice and looked at him thoughtfully.

Now that I thought about it, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to go on this date with Paul now that there was so much at stake. Knowing that Alexis knew me so well, I had to do something about it before it was too late.

I had to tell my father because the only solution I saw to this is to bring forward the presentation of the Doinel heiress to the media. I needed to stay to find a solution, but I also didn't want to be rude to Paul, especially when I agreed to go out with him without rejecting him.

"Yes, yes. Jack, I have to leave, please inform me if Lancaster Collection's proposal arrives." I informed my assistant, and paused when I was about to leave with Paul. I approached Jack, close enough so that no one could hear what I was about to say.

"The twin brother of Alexander knows my true identity. This can be detrimental to my father's plans. Try to find out something about that man, what happened for him to end up in a coma for thirteen years, where it happened, why they hid it, or how he knows my last name. What are his intentions? Anything! I need information. I ask you to inform my father about this and find out if the Lancasters are already aware of this."

Jack's dark eyes looked at me with concern, and I gestured for him to remain calm so as not to draw attention.

"Ms. Sarah, that is bad news. Mr. Doinel is the one who should release the news about his heiress. It would not be convenient for the media to find out from third parties. In my opinion, you should talk to your father first, and I will gather information about that gentleman. You know how counterproductive this can be."

Jack's opinion coincided with mine. It would be very imprudent on my part to leave and leave everything in chaos, risking my father's plans and his reputation.

I took a quick glance at Paul, who was waiting for me carefree, unaware of the disaster that needed to be stopped as soon as possible.

Behind Paul, I saw my father approaching the table with my mother, and I signaled him to come closer as soon as he laid his eyes on me.

"Mr. Lancaster never ceases to amaze me, he's a box full of surprises, a twin brother and no one knew, he hid it so well." My father said as he reached my side and I regained my composure.

"Well, he's not that different from us." I said, referring to how well he hid his daughter after the day they tried to kidnap me. Many said his heiress had been in Germany all this time, others said she was kept hidden on one of his properties unable to leave, and the last thing heard was that she was in a convent of nuns.

What imagination.

My father looked at me as if I had hit the nail on the head. Without further ado, I revealed the news that needed to be addressed.

"Alexis knows my identity. I don't know how, I had never seen him in my life. I was married to his twin brother and didn't know of his existence until now." I said, feeling suffocated by the situation, so much so that I almost raised my voice.

My parents were alarmed immediately, and I didn't know what to do. I felt that somehow it was my fault, but I didn't understand anything. This whole situation was very confusing. Only by talking to Alexis could I find out how he knew my last name.

My mother sat down in the chair as if her strength in her legs had disappeared suddenly. My father, on the other hand, remained unperturbed, although he couldn't hide the surprise on his face.

"How does he know? He just said he was in a coma for thirteen years. Are you sure of what you're saying?" My father asked calmly before taking a glass of champagne from the tray carried by a waiter.

"I am sure, and I have no idea how he knows. I ordered Jack to investigate it. I don't feel very comfortable with the situation, especially since he is a member of the Lancaster family." I said in a low voice as some people passed by us.

"Very well. Do you know what this means, Sarah? We have to expedite our plans. We can't wait for the launch of the first Doinel collection with the collaboration." My father said, releasing what he had been thinking from the beginning, and I let out a tired sigh. He looked at Paul, realizing he was still standing at a discreet distance, not interfering in our conversation.

"I know you have a date with Paul, but it's best to postpone it for now, at least until we can find out or resolve something by reaching an agreement. We can't allow the information to be revealed by third parties. We don't know with what intention and in what way they would do it. It's a task that falls on me." He said. I nodded my head, fully agreeing with my father.

"I'll tell Paul." I said, not having any other options at the moment.

"He will understand. It's not something that can be taken lightly." My father said as I passed by his side.

I approached Paul, and he smiled sideways when he saw me.

"You can't leave yet." Paul said, sounding more like an affirmation before I said a word.

"Paul, there have been some unforeseen events that need to be resolved before we leave. We can leave it for later or maybe tomorrow." I said. Paul took a deep breath, and I felt bad for what I was doing, but I had no other options.

I couldn't just leave as if I didn't care about the situation I was in and the one I was leaving my parents in.

"I understand. Do you want me to stay?" He asked after a few seconds of silence. Although I had changed all the plans, he didn't seem angry. He understood and didn't oppose at all.

"Of course, you're still my companion tonight." I said.

Paul nodded with a smile, and the desire to embrace him overwhelmed me. He was so good to me in many ways, still being that unconditional friend despite my behavior.

Without further thought, I plunged into his arms, and we embraced, regaining the strength and confidence I thought I had lost.

Without consulting my father, I approached the place where Alexis was after he came down from the stage with his brother. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone. Alexander was still with him as they greeted the guests, who showed their astonishment at the news. It wasn't until Alexis noticed my presence that he distanced himself from Alexander without his notice and approached me as if he knew I was there for him.

I took a sip of my champagne, which I had served before leaving the Doinel team's table, attempting to clear my throat with the sweet drink. I did not take my eyes off of his eyes for a moment, and when his chair was in front of me, I asked the first questions without anesthesia.

"How do you know my name? Where did you find out? Or have you been investigating me? Did you tell your family?" I asked, appearing calm, although inside I was dying of curiosity and panic because of the information he had.

He licked his lips before opening them to speak with some difficulty, keeping the sparkle in his eyes that never seems to leave.

"You are Sarah Doinel. And no, I haven't investigated you, don't you remember that you told me?"

I furrowed my brow, feeling even more confused than I was a moment ago.

When did I tell him? I had no idea of his existence, how could I have told him?

Unless in his state of coma, some paranormal force showed him a panorama of his family and what they did to Leonardo Doinel's heiress.

No, even in my head it sounded totally absurd. What nonsense was I thinking? I was going crazy.

"So, I told you. Does your family know?" I asked again before taking another sip of my champagne, staying calm. I couldn't lose the little sanity I had left, and the more I talked to Alexis, the more chilling the subject became.

"No, for some strange reason they refer to you as Ms. Petit, and I prefer not to mention something that I ignore. Are you married?" He asked, discreetly looking at my fingers in search of a wedding ring, but all I had were the jewels that my mother chose for tonight and that matched my dress. I let out a graceless laugh at his question.

Didn't his family tell him?

Didn't he know that I was married to Alexander?

On the other hand, I was relieved to know that he hadn't said anything about my real surname, although he still hadn't told me how he knew.

"Fortunately, no," I said before getting closer to his level to speak so that no one could hear us. My nostrils were filled with the exquisite and expensive masculine perfume that suddenly seemed strangely familiar.

"Would you keep a secret for me? No one should find out that my last name is Doinel, I swear it's for a good cause, would you do that for me?" I whispered near his face, with my gaze locked in his silent honey-green eyes, and my skin tingled when his hesitant eyes settled on my lips for a few seconds.

Despite this, I didn't move away from Alexis, and he didn't seem to want to move away either.

"I would do anything for you." He whispered in the same way as me, looking back into my eyes, and a tingling sensation settled in my chest.

I didn't trust the Lancasters at all, but something inside me made me trust his word, and if I wasn't mistaken with that feeling, I could soon find out how he knew my last name because I was a hundred percent sure that I had never mentioned it to him, not even in dreams. There had to be something behind all of this.

I regained my composure, moving away from his face and with a smile from above, I extended my hand for him to shake, I was introducing myself even though he knew my name and I knew his.

"I'm Sarah Petit." I introduced myself with my mother's last name, the one that no one knew, because for everyone else, she was Joelle Doinel.

"Alex." He shook my hand with his, with a half-smile on his face, and a warmth ran through my hand to my nape. I swallowed nervously, feeling nervous without knowing exactly why. "Alexis Lancaster."