Divorced Heiress
Chapter 64

Upon landing in Paris, the first thing I did was practically drag Vincent along with Tristan and Maga, and we got into the Rolls Royce that was waiting for our arrival at the private airport, heading straight to Villa Doinel. I didn't even wait for my parents and the others to get off the jet, I didn't want to have another encounter or, even worse, an uncomfortable conversation, at least for the next few hours with Alexander Lancaster. Anyway, I had to get myself ready and prepare absolutely everything for the press conference that would take place in a few hours, I didn't even have time to rest for a few minutes, my father had everything planned out and failing him was not an option. -Princess, take things easy or otherwise you won't be able to last even six months with the collaboration. If you feel too uncomfortable being close to Alexander, just let me know and I'll take care of your work. Don't stress yourself out.- I let out a long sigh, thinking about Vincent's words.

I knew he was right, I was treating this as if it were a nightmare for me, but it was all because of Alexander's attitude. It annoyed me to no end, I couldn't stand him trying to be so close to me and even worse, talking to me as if there was still some possibility between us. If I still tolerated him being close, it was because of our son and nothing else.

After all, it was a year of collaboration, in which the participating companies would benefit from the success of the three-way collaboration.

-Musketeer, don't worry, I will take things more calmly, yes, I will do it for the sake of work, because I am a professional and I will not mix personal matters with the company.- I squeezed Vincent's hand that was resting on his lap and he looked at me with a half- smile, as if he didn't believe my words but also wouldn't question me. -Let it go, Vin. Changing the subject, have you heard any news?- I asked, referring to the investigation he was going to take care of regarding Paul.

Vincent understood right away, as he glanced at Maga, who looked carefree out the window from the passenger seat, oblivious to our conversation. I wasn't worried about my Nana, because even if she accidentally overheard any conversation, she didn't interfere in other people's affairs.

Maga could keep a secret to the grave.

-The initial results of the investigation will be available tonight, so there's nothing more to do than wait. I'll take care of the matter, you just focus on upholding the Doinel name at the press conference.- He responded, almost speaking in code as if he didn't trust even the chauffeur who probably couldn't hear us from his seat.

-I managed to gather some information about the lawyers, and to be honest, it gives a lot to think about. I would like to share it with you as soon as we get home.- Vincent looked surprised by what I had just said and returned his gaze to the front before ordering the driver, -Please, a little faster.-

The driver obeyed his order and increased the speed, but not enough to put our lives at risk in a car accident.

We arrived at the Villa earlier than expected. Taking advantage that no one else had arrived yet, we locked ourselves in my father's office after putting Tristan in his room, as he had fallen deeply asleep in the car. It was then when I told my father everything that Abby had told me about the lawyers. He was greatly surprised, and before he could draw his own conclusions and suspicions about Abby, I clarified that she didn't seem to be aware of Paul's affairs, otherwise she wouldn't have given me such detailed information about the Dubois family lawyers.

-Sarah, Abby may be your best friend, but we can't trust her, she's still a Dubois. Do you understand what she was trying to tell you? It's likely that Paul's parents are also involved in the matter. There's something very shady behind all this, and I'm going to find out no matter what. I don't think Mr. and Mrs. Dubois are unaware of what their son planned years ago. They're using their lawyers to save Rachel's skin, and that makes them as suspicious as Abby. With what you just told me, I can deduce that the Dubois family is planning something against the Doinel family. Rachel is probably just a puppet who was influenced by money and her attraction to your ex-husband.-

The hair on the back of my neck stood up at the thought that my family's lifelong best friends could be involved in that death threat. Vincent's hypothesis might be a little crazy, but if I thought about it a little better, it made sense to me. Anyway, at this point, I trusted no one but my family.

-And if that's the case, why would they do something against us? After all, they have been my parents' best friends for years, I can't find any reason for them to have the cold-bloodedness to be involved in something so murky.- I remained silent for a few seconds and then I looked at Vincent, who was looking at me with a furrowed brow as if he was still thinking about the reason why they would do such a thing, but I had already found the answer. -The company.-

His furrowed brow was replaced by an expression of astonishment. It was the only reason I could think of for them to go so far. The company, power, money. Although they were partners of Doinel, they did not have enough power to make decisions about the company. On several occasions, there were differences between the two families because the Dubois did not agree with some decisions my father made. Anyway, if Leonardo Doinel's strategies were not carried out, the company would not be where it is now. Before Vincent could give his point of view on the matter, we heard the voice of my parents, who had just arrived.

-That makes a lot of sense. But for now, we have to leave the topic here, your parents cannot find out anything of what we've talked about until I discover the truth. I don't want them to confront them before having evidence and take retaliatory measures. At least we have a huge clue, I will inform the investigator tonight.-

I nodded my head and got up from the seat, finishing the small meeting, to leave my father's office as if I hadn't had that conversation with Vincent a few minutes ago.

After greeting my parents, who looked tired but happy, I went straight to my room to get ready for the press conference where I would be in charge.

I didn't think it was necessary to dress up too much or call the stylists, I also didn't have enough time for something more elaborate. After taking a shower that relaxed all my muscles, I put on a black dress with thin straps. The skirt, which reached my knees, was adorned with diamonds that faded as they reached the waist. It had a slight back neckline, so I left my hair loose on one side, resting on my right shoulder. I applied very subtle makeup, nothing exaggerated, highlighting each of my features.

When I was completely ready, I went down to the living room and found Vincent wearing a gray suit and an impeccable white shirt without a wrinkle. He was going to be my companion tonight, as I had asked him when we got off the plane and he couldn't refuse. When he saw me, he covered the smile that appeared on his face with his hand and looked me up and down as if he had never seen me so well dressed. He extended his hand and when I took it, he made me turn around to release his flattering words. -Are you going to the press conference or to a beauty pageant? If it's the latter, I'm sure you're going to overshadow them all and of course, you're going to win without a doubt, just look at you.-

I let out a amused laugh at Vincent's remarks and lightly hit his shoulder.

-Don't exaggerate.- I responded, making sure my bag had the essentials.

The truth is, I didn't feel like I had made an effort to get ready, but it seemed that less was more.

-I'm just telling the truth.- He shrugged and changed the subject. -Your parents will be a bit late, they told me to go ahead.-

After being informed about that, I went to Tristan's room, who was still sleeping. I said goodbye to him and gave instructions to Maga for his care.

The Rolls Royce was waiting for us. I hooked my arm with Vincent's and with his help, I got into the back seat. After a few minutes, we arrived at the venue where the press conference would take place. The car parked right on the red carpet, where several journalists were waiting for the arrival of public figures or event organizers.

Vincent was the first to exit the Rolls-Royce, he opened my door and extended his hand to help me out of the car like a true gentleman, leaving no doubt that he would be my companion for the evening.

As soon as my heel touched the ground and the flashes appeared, I hooked onto Vin's arm and posed for some photos on the red carpet. As we moved inside the salon, I ran into Julian with his assistant as his companion, and also Alexander with Cristina hooked on his arm. Both men's gaze lingered on me longer than they should have.

-Good evening, I apologize for keeping you waiting. If you're ready, we can start the press conference.- I said, ignoring everyone's gaze.

-Sarah, you look amazing tonight, any wait was worth it. For my part, we can start whenever you decide.- Julian Ferrer was the first to speak politely and I nodded my head while a nearly nonexistent smile appeared on my face.

I noticed Alexander tense up at Mr. Ferrer's words, he waited for Julian to make his way to the table prepared for us and left Cristina in her place to come closer to me and say.

-Ms. Doinel, allow me to accompany you to the table.- He offered his arm and I looked at him disdainfully before looking at Vincent, who looked as serious as he always did in public.

I wanted to refuse his request, but the flashes captured any movement between us. I apologized to Vincent, and he knew that I would go with Alexander to not damage the image in front of others. After all, I had to go to the table alone and leave my companion with the rest of the audience.

-Thank you.- I said when I passed my hand over his arm, which received me warmly. I swallowed hard and walked, holding my breath, as I could smell his cologne with even greater intensity, and to be honest, that smell that I once adored now disgusted me. We walked side by side, as the cameras captured the image of both of us for eternity. I just hoped they didn't take the images out of context.

Just a few steps away from reaching our destination, I heard Alexander's soft but hoarse voice.

-You're beautiful, and I don't say that just because of tonight, you look radiant. I say it because you're the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever seen.-

My back tensed at his words, and I was grateful that we had already reached the table where Julian was waiting. I found it uncomfortable that the shameless man dared to say that at this point. Did he not plan to give up? Without saying a word, I released his arm, which suddenly burned me, and reached my seat at the table. Unfortunately, I ended up in the middle of the two men.

When Alexander sat down, he whispered discreetly, -I'm just stating the truth, ex-wife.-

I cleared my throat, pretending I hadn't heard. I was playing with what little patience I had left, but I couldn't do or say anything in public. It would only make us the talk of the town once again.

The only thing I did was let out a silent sigh and show my best smile to the public and journalists.

-We begin the press conference.- I announced.