Divorced Heiress
Chapter 94

In Doinel Villa.

After informing Vincent and Abby about the meeting with Paul and the lawyer at the restaurant outside of town, and briefing them on what we planned to do with the photo, we came to the conclusion that it would be difficult to reach lawyer Richman, considering he was aware of all the crimes related to the Doinel and Lancaster last names.

Abby stood up from the chair she was sitting in at my father's office, and placed her hands on the desk with a bright smile on her face, the same smile she had whenever one of her crazy ideas came to mind.

-I don't know what you would do without me. I'm a Dubois, therefore he's my lawyer. I will contact him to ask for help with a lawsuit against the Doinels. Of course, don't think it will be a real lawsuit, it will be the perfect excuse to meet with him, a good trap.- Abby said, looking at me with concerned eyes.

Of course, that idea crossed my mind, but I didn't want Abby to get too involved in the matter. We would be risking the lawyer not agreeing to our plans and ending up telling everything to his family. Considering the Dubois family was scum, they wouldn't hesitate to harm their own daughter for being on my side.

-No, absolutely not, it's too risky and no. We'll find another solution, right?- I firmly refused and turned to the others, seeking their support to dismiss that idea, but Alexander and Vincent stayed silent as if they had no other options.

Abby's determined gaze was on me and she raised her eyebrows when she realized the others agreed with her.

-I know how risky this is, Sari, but I have to do it. No. I don't have to do it. I want to do it. After you, I am the most interested in having my family pay for all the bad things they've done, even if my life depends on it.- Abby said confidently, and I understood her. She wasn't like her family, her values and loyalty were the most important to her. She was always against bad actions and knew it would be a betrayal for her family to be on the wrong path, harming others.

-Let's do something, let it be decided by a vote.- She proposed, looking at the two men sitting on the couch, and then smiled at me from ear to ear. I took a breath and nodded, agreeing, although I already sensed that the others would support her decision. -Raise your hand if you disagree with me meeting lawyer Richman.- She said without hesitation. I didn't think twice before raising my hand, being the only one against that risky idea.

-One. Now those who agree.- She continued. As I suspected, Alexander, Vincent, and Abby raised their hands, resulting in three votes against one.

-Three. So, I will contact the lawyer.- She said.

-Sarah, it's the best option, we must act quickly to bring them down, we have a very powerful piece of evidence, and I won't deny that it's risky, not only for Abby but for all of us.- Vincent stood up from his seat and approached, trying to convince me. But even if I didn't agree, there was nothing I could do. With a majority of votes, Abby would contact the lawyer.

-I know, I'm aware of that, but I don't want Abby to be on her family's black list.- I said, discouraged about my friend. She let out a humorless laugh before moving away when she felt Vincent was getting too close to her.

-My dear, just so you know, I've been on the black list since I left Doinel and moved out of the house. I have nothing to lose but much to gain. I will call my lawyer to help me with the report for physical assault by Sarah Doinel. Do you think he'll enjoy hearing that well-known last name? I think his eyes will pop out of their sockets.- Abby took her cell phone out of her pants pocket, and almost immediately received a call that made her smile, earning an uneasy and alarmed look from Vincent, whose expression turned to irritation when he managed to read the name on her phone's screen.

-I'll take this call and get in touch with the lawyer.- Abby said, moving to the other end of the office, where she could talk without interruptions, and answered the call without wiping the smile off her face.

-Bastian, what are you doing?-

I heard Vincent's irritated murmur as he followed her with his gaze, and I had to suppress the laughter caused by my cousin's jealousy.

That meant only one thing, things with Abby were still bad, and knowing her as I do, she will continue to make him suffer until he was sincere with her and declares his love. -Vincent, putting this aside, I want to talk about L&J.- I spoke to get his attention and make him stop staring at Abby as if he wanted to devour her.

Alexander, who had been sitting on the couch the whole time, approached to sit in the chair in front of the desk nonchalantly, with his attention on his phone.

-Considering the magnitude of the projections for the first launch, we need two partners for the company. I'm going to meet with Julian, who is interested in partnering with L&J. Could you help me find the missing partner? Someone reliable, you know. I asked, playing with the pen in my hand, and I could feel Alexander's gaze on me.

-Of course, I have the perfect candidate who would be more than happy to work with you. I'll call him right now. He responded with his phone in his hand and discreetly looked at Abby before approaching her while making the call.

-You wouldn't have to look for another partner if you considered me.- Alexander caught my attention, and I fixed my gaze on him, who was still staring at his phone.

-Alexander, I've already told you why I can't accept partnering with Lancaster Collection. In the future, they will associate L&J's image with my ex-husband's company, and I don't want that.- I shook my head, leaving the pen on the desk when Alexander finally looked

at me.

-Okay, I understand.- He said, not very convinced, while putting away his phone, and his hesitant gaze settled on the desk for a few seconds before looking back into my eyes.

-So, will you tell me what happened on that cruise?-

I let out a tired sigh when Alexander brought up that topic again. It was the third time he asked me, and I didn't want to answer because I hated remembering that Judas kiss, but more than anything, because at that moment, I believed I was starting to feel something minimal for that bastard.

I decided to tell Alexander everything because at some point, I was going to tell him, and I preferred clarifying everything from the beginning and not being so hypocritical to reproach him for hiding even the slightest information from me when I was doing the same, although what happened with Paul was before improving my relationship with Alexander.

-He invited me on a cruise in New York. We had a few glasses of champagne and then he kissed me, that's all, nothing happened like he insinuated.- I summarized the whole night in a few short words, and even though it was in the past, before Paul revealed his true colors.

The news seemed to bother Alexander.

-He kissed you.- He repeated those words that disgusted me, as if trying to process it. He squirmed uncomfortably in his chair as he loosened his tie. From his expression, it seemed like he wanted to say something, and after a few seconds of silence, he decided to let it out.

-And you... did you feel something with that kiss?- He asked uncertainly while rubbing his temples with his eyes closed.

I remained silent, avoiding his gaze, feeling ashamed with myself for remembering that I allowed myself to feel something for that despicable person, no matter how minimal it may have been.

I looked up at Alexander's face, who seemed to know the answer to his question but was waiting for me to say it myself.

-Well, yes, Alexander, in that moment, something awakened in me, I liked it, I won't deny it, but now just remembering it makes me nauseous, and you have no idea how much I regret responding to his kiss right now. How stupid I was.- I said the last part while hiding my embarrassed face in my hands, not daring to look Alexander in the eyes.

In the next second, I felt hands surrounding me, and the scent of his perfume filled my nostrils.

-It's okay, you're not stupid. It's not your fault. He had one purpose with you, and he didn't achieve it. You should be proud of yourself for not falling into his trap. It was just a kiss, nothing more. I won't touch upon that subject again if it makes you uncomfortable. I won't pressure you anymore.-

Alexander whispered softly in my ear, and I nodded my head, thinking about Alexander's drastic change, and I was not talking about his reaction or the conversation, I was talking about him as a person, as a partner.

The small details made me realize that I wasn't making a mistake by giving him a chance, he was earning it. Alexander removed my hands that were still covering my face and spun the chair until it was facing him. He leaned in enough to look into my eyes with a tender gaze.

-I... I don't know, I was confused, I thought... I tried to find the right words to justify what I felt at that moment because I hated admitting it, I hated remembering it. I felt so ridiculous.

But Alexander hushed me by hissing in my face. So, I closed my eyes when he closed the space between our lips. His lips moved gently over mine, kissing me as if I were a fragile glass that could break at any moment. And that sensation, with our lips almost touching, made my skin tingle as a shiver ran through my whole body, making me forget the embarrassment I felt about myself. He pulled away from my lips just slightly to look into my eyes again, leaving me wanting to continue kissing him, but with more intensity. -I will make you forget that unfortunate moment with every kiss I give you.- He whispered against my lips, and my eyes automatically went to his lips, which looked more tempting than any other day. If he wanted to make me forget, he was doing a great job. I almost forgot that we weren't alone in my father's office, if it weren't for Abby's voice interrupting us.

-Aren't you ashamed to eat in front of poor people?- My friend asked playfully, and I immediately turned the chair to look at her.

-Not so poor.- I replied, indicating Vincent with my gaze, who was still on the phone in the spot Abby had left.

-Ha, don't make me laugh. By the time that happens, I will already have five children, two grandchildren, and be married for the seventh time. He can take all the time he wants, but I won't be waiting forever for him to make up his mind. I'm worth more than a signed contract. I feel like poor Anastasia, really, even Grey didn't dare so much.-

I laughed at the crazy comparison, although it wasn't far from reality.

-I already talked to the lawyer, let's wait for Vincent Grey and I'll spill everything.- Abby said.

My laughter increased, as did Alexander's, who was caressing my shoulders from behind after giving my cousin that last name.

-I'll go get your Grey.- Alexander said before walking away from us and reaching Vincent and interrupting his call, saying who knows what.

-Don't make fun of my misfortunes. You see me as normal, but inside, your cousin has disappointed me a lot. I think I better start accepting that he's not for me. I don't think the day will come when he admits he feels something for me.- Abby said after sitting down, feeling dejected.

I took her hands on the table to let her know that she had my full support.

-Give him some time. He has never had a relationship that wasn't based on contracts. It's clear that he's interested in you, everyone can see it but him.-

Abby nodded, looking at our hands, and shrugged as if it didn't matter.

-And what about Bastian?- I asked quietly so that the pair of men wouldn't hear me, even though they were currently talking in secret after Vincent finished the call.

-Don't tell me that if it's not with Vincent, it's with his brother. But whatever happens, you're staying in the family.-

-Oh no, you're wrong. Bastian just asked me for a favor, and Vincent got furious.- Abby glanced back and looked at me again before leaning closer over the desk as if she was going to tell me a secret.

-Bastian asked me to accompany him to his ex-girlfriend's engagement party, pretending to be his girlfriend. I think that favor also benefits me. I mean, it's okay to make Vincent a little jealous, even though he knows we're just pretending. The mere idea drives him crazy.- Abby confessed that and let out a quiet laugh, mocking Vincent's behavior since Bastian appeared.

I couldn't help but laugh with complicity, but I hurried to speak when I saw the pair of men approaching us. -I'll just tell you one thing, be careful not to confront my cousins, in case the fake girlfriend becomes the real girlfriend, and you end up in a more complicated situation between two brothers.-

I warned her in a whisper, and she shook her head, confident in herself.

-That's not going to happen, trust me, I know what I'm doing. It was the last thing she managed to say, before Vincent sat down in the chair next to Abby, scaring her with his sudden presence and placing a hand on her chest where her heart should be. -So, what did you agree with the honorable lawyer?- Vincent asked next to her with a serious tone.

Alexander stood behind me again and started massaging my shoulders with his hands, which I just realized were completely tense from all the problems I had on my plate.

Abby cleared her throat when she calmed down and finally spoke with everyone present.

-It wasn't difficult for the lawyer to accept my case, of course, being a Dubois and having the lawsuit against a Doinel, he would agree without complaining. That's why I've scheduled a meeting tomorrow to carry out the Richman plan, the meeting will be tomorrow at nine in the morning in the apartment assigned to my brother-in-law, the great Ales, by the Doinel company..-

My eyes widened in surprise for two reasons.

The first one, because I didn't imagine the meeting would be so soon, for a moment I thought the lawyer was going to consult with the Dubois family before making a decision, but apparently, he was willing to take any case that would discredit my name. And the second, because Abby didn't bother to consult beforehand if we could use the apartment that Alexander was occupying, even if he was living in the villa. -What?! The three of us said simultaneously.