Divorced Heiress
Chapter 84

I remained silent from the moment I entered the boardroom where Paul and Mrs. Dubois were waiting. The presence of that woman did not surprise me at all, it was logical that she was behind all this to take what was not hers in the dirtiest way possible, and it was pitiful to see how Paul was being manipulated like a puppet by his mother. Paul impatiently looked at his wristwatch, there was one minute left until the agreed time, and only Alexander and Julian were missing to start the meeting.

The headache had decreased considerably, as the decision I had taken in secret was the healthiest one for everyone, at least for me.

Just as Paul stood up from the chair that had always belonged to my father at the head of the table, the two missing men entered along with Abby, who should not be here, but unexpectedly attended. The three of them sat on the side of the table where Vincent and I were sitting, leaving Mrs. Dubois alone on the other side, who did not seem to be affected by it in the least.

-Wow! For a second, I thought I would start without the collaborators.- Said Paul with a fake smile on his face, and immediately walked to the door to close it. -Before we begin, I welcome my mother, who will be my right hand from now on.- He continued. Vincent, who was on my right side, silently chuckled with irony, and we looked at each other at the same time, knowing what was going through our minds.

But of course, that shameless woman would be his right hand, if it weren't for her, Paul would have never even thought of going to such extremes. Abby mumbled some words to herself, but I couldn't hear her, although it didn't take her more than a second to clap slowly, as if she were watching the most mediocre show.

-Bravo! Worthy of applause.- She sarcastically spewed out, gaining the attention of everyone present. -I see it and I can't believe it. Mother, do you agree with the shit Paul is doing? This is your best friends' company that are still missing, how can you be so calm after so many years of friendship? I didn't expect this from you, you're so fake.-

Abby's words left me uneasy, not only because they reminded me of the misfortunes I was going through but because a sense of guilt settled in my chest.

Abby was actually unaware of what her family was doing, and I judged her from the first second. She was as angry as everyone else about the latest news from the company, and she didn't stay silent just because it was her own mother and brother involved. -Abby! I won't allow you to speak to me like that. I am your mother and I deserve respect.- Mrs. Margaret spoke indignantly, and I didn't know whether to laugh in her face because of how cynical she was being or join Abby's offensive words to vent my own frustration.

-Respect? What is respect to you? Do you respect Sarah, who is going through a difficult and uncertain time? Do you respect the Doinel family, taking away what they built brick by brick? Is that respect to you? What's wrong with you two?-

Abby was truly affected by her family's wrongdoings, and this was just the tip of the iceberg; I didn't even want to imagine how she would react when she found out the extent of their transgressions, but I didn't have any proof to let her know, she wouldn't believe it if someone told her.

-Just shut up, Abby. Although many may not agree, this company now belongs to the Dubois, you should be grateful, it's also your company.- Paul intervened with a sour face as he walked back to his seat, but he remained standing, staring fixedly at his sister, who let out a humorless laugh.

No one dared to say a word during the family dispute that was taking place, not even I wanted to say anything as the direct victim, but I had nothing to say, I wouldn't waste my words on that pair.

-How considerate of you, brother. Thanks, but I don't want anything that was obtained through deceit, because I'm sure that's all this is, you're rats, and I'm ashamed to say you're my family.-

Abby didn't hold back at all. I gave Vincent a glance, wanting to know if this was the moment he would start to realize that Abby was not colluding with her family, and that despite carrying that last name, she was not like them. But I couldn't guess what was going through his mind, his face was completely serious as he looked at Abby who was furious.

-You know what? I'm so glad that Sarah didn't get over her ex-husband and didn't even slightly show interest in you. Right now, I apologize to her for insisting for so long that she give you a chance, you don't even measure up.- Abby said.

My eyes widened in surprise at her direct words, and everyone at the table had different reactions to her strong statements.

Mrs. Dubois was displeased with her daughter and looked at her disapprovingly. Paul showed irritation in a bad mood, which he tried to hide behind a half-smile. Julian shifted uncomfortably, caught in the middle of a fight involving his work. Alexander was tense by my side but had a slight smile of satisfaction and pride; he didn't miss the opportunity to place his hand on my knee as if congratulating me on this achievement. And Vincent covered his smile with his hand, staring intently at the woman sitting at the other end of the table, finally showing something in his eyes that let me know he admired the woman he had so distrusted.

Since I'd known her, she had said every nonsense that came to her mind, but it was the first time she spoke with seriousness and sensibility, in her own style, but she did.

-You have good news, sister, that is going to change at this moment.- Paul said, and all eyes left Abby's flushed face and turned to him. It was unclear what he meant by that, but it made me more anxious than I already was.

-Now, what is this clown going to come up with?- Alexander murmured by my side, making sure only I could hear him, never removing his warm hand from my knee.

-Considering that the company is mine because I hold the majority of Doinel's shares, I want to take this moment to prove to you that I'm not the heartless being you all think I am and come to an agreement with Sarah.- Paul said.

With those words, I already knew what Paul wanted to do, and it seemed Alexander did too, as he carelessly tightened his grip on my leg, as if restraining the urge to stand up and deliver a second punch to Paul.

-Sarah, I'm willing to return the Doinel family's shares in exchange for marrying me.- He said.

Everyone was frozen in their seats after his words, except for Mrs. Dubois and me.

In the next second, I no longer felt the warmth of Alexander's hand because he had released it to place both hands on the table, as if about to stand up. But this time, I was the one who placed a hand on his leg to calm him down and let me deal with the situation. This matter was mine, and I knew what I had to do without anyone trying to defend me.

I stood up from my seat, and under the expectant gaze of everyone present, I walked with a fake smile on my face to Paul's side, who looked at me as if I were a trophy he had just won.

-That's a very tempting offer.- I said, looking at him, causing his smile to widen, and I ignored the gasps of amazement behind me.

-But don't think you're going to get what you couldn't get through 'niceness. You can buy anyone's love, if it can be called love, but not Sarah Doinel's. You can keep everything and do whatever you want; I'm not interested. This meeting is to appoint the new general manager, and even though my vote is unnecessary, I give you mine. Congratulations, Mr. President, the company is yours.-

His smile vanished instantly, and I patted him on the shoulder. The boardroom fell into complete silence; all I could hear was my irregular breathing.

-And the announcement I wanted to make is that I'm leaving Doinel. This company doesn't belong to me, and honestly, it turns my stomach every time I see you and realize how low you've fallen. Enjoy it, Mr. Dubois.-

-That's the Sarah I know!- I heard Abby's voice, and even so, I didn't lower the defiant gaze I directed at the dissatisfied man standing in front of me.

-If she leaves, I'm leaving too. This company is nothing without a Doinel.-

-I'm leaving too; I have nothing to do here.- Vincent joined in the aversion, and I knew he had approached with Abby.

-If you cross that door, I will sue you.- Paul said, still looking at me with hostility.

I smiled calmly, not letting any of his threats change my mind or disturb me. Nothing was going to make me change my mind.

- Try it, you have nothing to sue me for. - I replied calmly, feeling a great weight lift off my shoulders.

He had nothing to proceed with a lawsuit, meanwhile, I had many reasons to report him to the authorities and with sufficient evidence, he would rot in jail alongside his parents.

I had no intention of wasting any more time with him, so I gave him one last indifferent smile and walked towards the door. But halfway there, I felt a hand forcefully grab my arm, causing me to stop and turn around.

Paul held me without any care, and I could see the unleashed anger in his eyes. That look could intimidate anyone, but I was not just anyone.

- If you leave, don't bother setting foot in my company or you'll have to face the consequences. -

Before I could respond, a hand landed on Paul's shoulder, making him let go before turning and, in the next second, his face turned to the side, letting out a groan of pain. My surprise was immense when I saw Abby rubbing her knuckles.

- Go to hell, you bastard. - Abby spat with hatred and pain on her face. Vincent quickly took her hand with concern, not hiding his astonishment and inspecting the damage caused to her knuckles by the powerful punch she gave her brother. Without realizing it, arms wrapped around my body, and just by smelling his cologne, I knew it was Alexander who had come to my side to protect me from any harm.

- Everyone! Get out! I don't want to see your faces in my company. You too, Lancaster. You are the last person I want to encounter every day. Get lost! You're out of the collaboration! - Paul shouted uncontrollably, his breathing quickened rapidly, and for a moment, I worried about where all of this was heading. I worried about the outcome of the collaboration, the project that my father had worked on for so many years to make it a reality and that was bound for certain success, not to mention how beneficial it would be for the collaborating companies, Alexander's and Julian's.

Soon, the worry faded away as I remembered the clauses of the three-way collaboration contract that my father had prepared for the benefit of all. If Paul expelled even one of the collaborators, it would be very detrimental to the company. And even though he was in charge now, I didn't want to see the company my family built with so much effort sink.

-I'm afraid you'll continue to see my face for a long time. Who do you think you're talking to? We have a signed contract. Neither Mr. Ferrer nor I can abandon the project before the agreed-upon year, unless the collections are launched before the stipulated time. Otherwise, you will have to pay a multimillion-dollar fine to both companies, which would leave you ruined.- Alexander spoke with a cold and indifferent voice, leaving Paul speechless, who seemed about to explode with anger. Apparently, his plans didn't go as he had thought.

- I see you haven't read the contract clauses, you don't even know where you stand, and you call yourself the General Manager. This circus called a meeting is over. We leave you with your right hand, if it serves you for anything. Let's go, darling. - Alexander dared to end the meeting, without having any authority, and he didn't wait for Paul to say a word when he walked to the exit without letting go of me.

Vincent, Abby, and to my surprise, Julian followed us, leaving behind the most uncomfortable meeting I had ever witnessed. I felt ashamed with him for this, as he was getting a bad impression of the company he trusted, but the situation had gotten out of my hands.

- Nice punch, where did you learn to hit like that? - I heard Vincent ask Abby.

I turned my head just a little to watch them walking behind us, and a slight and discreet smile appeared on my face involuntarily as I saw the scene.

Vincent was still looking at Abby's knuckles and trying to massage them to ease the pain, while my friend's cheeks were flushed as she looked at the worried, surprised, and amazed face of the man beside her.

-I just learned it. I let myself get carried away by anger, and now I'm regretting it. - Abby replied as if suddenly the pain had disappeared with a miraculous "massage". That hit looked quite painful.

-Unbelievable. Remind me not to piss you off.- Vincent joked, pretending to be afraid of Abby, and she let out a nervous giggle without taking her eyes off him, neither of them seemed to pay attention to the road, they were focused on each other. -Don't worry, you don't have the same luck as Paul.-

-I'm glad to hear that. If your knuckles look like this, I don't want to imagine what you did to your brother. I'll help you clean the wounds.-

At least, something good was born amidst so much misfortune.