Divorced Heiress
Chapter 97

I looked at my cell phone on the desk for the umpteenth time, hoping that the screen would light up at any moment with the arrival of the call I had been waiting for for days. The call was from Lawyer Richman.

I couldn't concentrate on the documents I had to review and sign, as the anxiety was overwhelming me. We reached an agreement with the lawyer, who would gather all the evidence incriminating the Dubois, and once he had it in his hands, we would meet with my lawyers to file a lawsuit against all those responsible for the crimes against my family. The wait was starting to drive me crazy, and my head was a mess with everything weighing on me.

The launch of my brand, Rachel and the lawyer's collaboration, my missing parents who didn't send me another sign of life, I didn't even know what they were doing or planning to do. I wanted them to know that we were getting closer to bringing down the Dubois, but there was no way to communicate with them. I didn't even know what was going to happen to the company if Paul went to prison.

I felt like my head was going to explode at any moment.

A few knocks on the door of my office snapped me out of my reverie, and I forgot about my cell phone to focus on my company.

-Come in.- I said, rearranging the documents scattered on the desk, and the door opened, revealing a smiling Julian in an impeccable suit.

-Julian?- I frowned slightly at his unexpected visit.

-Good morning, Sarah, sorry for the delay. He greeted before checking the time on his wristwatch, making his way into the office.

-I hope you haven't forgotten our meeting.-

As soon as I heard his last words, I remembered that I had asked him to meet today at ten in the morning to discuss the partnership. How could I forget?

-Yes, yes. Sorry, my mind has been elsewhere. But please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?- I spoke in an attempt to hide how distracted I had been lately, and luckily, it worked.

Julian shook his head, and I relaxed in my seat. Now that I remembered, we couldn't start the meeting until Vincent arrived with the man who was interested in partnering with L&J.

-Okay, then, let's wait for Vincent. Let's move to the conference room, it will be more comfortable.-

I stood up, grabbing the folders with the proposals for the partners and my cell phone, hoping that the lawyer's name would appear on the screen soon. I asked Julian to follow me.

-Jack, please, tell Vincent that I'm waiting for him in the conference room when he arrives.- I asked Jack as I passed by his desk, and he nodded in response. Without further ado, I resumed my path to the conference room.

-Congratulations, Sarah, on your new company and new projects. I admire you more every day. I applaud your strength in such difficult times. You are the example of the famous phrase, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.- Julian's encouraging words brought a smile to my face, and I quickly glanced at him along the way.

Of course, I had to stay strong in the face of adversity, even though everything inside me was upside down. I couldn't crumble under the misfortunes surrounding me, and I certainly wouldn't let the villains get away with it.

-Thank you, it's a great compliment coming from an entrepreneur who has achieved so much on his own.- I sincerely replied, as I also admired him for his hard work. With limited resources and starting from the bottom, he has made his company recognized. That is truly admirable.

-That means a lot coming from Sarah Doinel.- He said before reaching the door of the conference room, and I gave him a kind smile before inviting him in.

-Come in, this is your company. If you need anything, feel free to let me know.- I said as I took my seat, and Julian sat to my left. He was about to respond when the ringtone of my cell phone echoed throughout the room.

My heart started pounding, hoping it was the person I was waiting for, but I was disappointed to see that it wasn't Mr. Richman.

-Vincent.- I said his name when answering the phone.

-I'm also glad to see you, Sarah.- His sarcastic tone was as evident as my discouraged voice.

-I'll be at the company in a few minutes, the flight of the future partner was delayed a bit, but I'm with him now. Is Mr. Ferrer with you?-

-Yes, he's already here.- I replied, giving Julian a quick glance, as he took the opportunity to check his phone.

-Did you say flight? Where is it from? Aren't you going to tell me his name?- I asked with curiosity, because since the moment he informed me that he found the perfect partner, he hasn't wanted to give me any more details. If it wasn't because he's recommended by my cousin, I would be suspicious of that guy right now.

-You'll know when you see him. I just called to let you know the reason for my delay, I have to go now. He said, not waiting for a response from me, ending the call and leaving me with the word in my mouth. How could he do this to me? Why so much mystery with that man? I should know all the information about the person I was going to partner with!

-Is everything okay?- Julian asked worriedly, witnessing my despair after ending the call, and it was no wonder, I was staring at the phone, as if that would let Vincent know that I wasn't happy with him.

I took a deep breath to calm myself, and when I recovered, I looked at Julian with an almost imperceptible smile as I placed the phone on the table.

-Vincent will be a while, now it's me who should apologize.- I said embarrassed because Julian was setting aside such an important project for his career and losing time because of the mysterious partner's delay.

-Don't worry, in that case, I'll have a cup of coffee. He nodded at his request, and I immediately asked Jack for it, also requesting a valerian tea to calm the nerves and stress that all this was causing me. Thirty minutes! Thirty minutes and Vincent didn't show up.

I didn't know where to put my embarrassed face, having Julian sitting there for so long. At least we managed to distract ourselves by talking about the plans I had for my company and the collaborations with recognized brands that had put their trust in me, even though this was just the beginning.

-I heard you're getting married again.- Julian said with surprise in his eyes and a touch of sadness, after finishing the topic of the launch.

That was a little lie I followed from Alexander to shut Paul up, but I didn't imagine it would reach the ears of other people, although I should have assumed it, considering that Julian was currently working on the collaboration with Doinel.

Now I didn't know whether to deny it or to continue with the lie until the bitter end.

As if it were a miracle from heaven, the door to the boardroom opened, preventing me from giving Julian an answer.

I wasn't so unhappy with Vincent anymore, he saved me from an uncomfortable situation.

-Good morning, Mr. Ferrer, I apologize for the delay.-

I stood up, with a slight smile in my place, finally getting to meet the mysterious man, even though I didn't see him anywhere.

-Where is he? Don't tell me he didn't come with you, because...- I left the word in the air when Vincent interrupted me by raising a hand.

-Calm down.-

Calm down? Was he asking me to calm down at this point? Not even the valerian tea managed to calm me down, how could he ask me to calm down when he arrived alone in the boardroom?

-Sarah, Mr. Ferrer, allow me to introduce the future partner. Come in.- Vincent stepped back to address the person who, unknowingly, was waiting on the other side to be invited in.

I was exasperated by Vincent's circumlocutions in introducing that stranger, when he had taken more than thirty minutes to arrive.

A tall, dark-haired man, with pale skin as snow and honey-colored eyes, appeared in my field of vision, walking with the help of a cane, completely surprising me.

I remained petrified in my place with my eyes wide open and covering my lips with my hands, as I recognized him in a matter of seconds, my legs weakened in the next second, causing me to sit abruptly in the chair, I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. What was he doing here?

Was this the mysterious partner that Vincent couldn't give me information about?

It couldn't be.

His honey-colored eyes met mine and I couldn't even blink when a genuine smile appeared on his face, as if he was happy to see me, his gaze reflected the excitement of the moment and I didn't know how to feel.

I must be hallucinating, yes, that was it, stress and problems were playing tricks on me.

-Mr. Alexander, what happened to you?- Julian asked, confused and worried, upon seeing that man in his impeccable suit enter in that way, of course he had no idea what was going on.

The dark-haired man's gaze left my face to settle on Julian, and he confidently reached out his hand towards him, with an expression on his face that I couldn't decipher, perhaps because Julian Ferrer's sudden question amused him.

-You must be Julian Ferrer, nice to meet you, I am Alexis Lancaster.- He said in a deep voice, very different from what I remembered, and I realized that this wasn't a product of my imagination and that, indeed, the man standing there shaking Julian's hand was Alexis.

I couldn't help but look at him from head to toe, not missing the smallest detail. Soon, an indescribable emotion settled in my chest, pulling me out of the state of shock I was in, seeing him so recovered, seeing him standing with a better appearance. How was that possible in such a short time?

-Mr. Lancaster, I apologize for the confusion, for a moment I thought... Forget about it. The pleasure is mine.- Julian replied before releasing his hand, and I stood up again when I fully recovered.

I had to divert my gaze towards Vincent, reproaching him with my eyes for all of this. My company wasn't supposed to be related to LC, and he had brought Alexander's twin brother. Now I understood why he didn't want to tell me earlier. -Don't worry, you're not the first one to mistake me for Alexander.- Alexis said kindly, and he looked at me again, his eyes still shining.

-Sarah Doinel, you can't imagine how happy I am to see you again. He said as he approached slowly, leaning on his cane.

-I... I... God, Alexis, look how far you've come in your recovery, I'm also glad to see you and especially in this state, what a great surprise you've given me.- My unsteady voice barely came out, because I didn't even know what to say to him. -The therapies have been very successful, and I've done my part. A welcome hug?- His question caught me off guard, but I agreed as he opened his arms, waiting for that embrace.

I took a few steps, enough to reach him, and received him in a gentle hug with closed eyes, afraid of hurting him. Unconsciously, I breathed in the scent of his expensive perfume, which was very different from his brother's, but I couldn't deny that I liked the feeling of our first hug.

-Well, now that we're all here, we can start the meeting.- Vincent's voice interrupted the brief embrace.

-Take a seat, Sarah and I will explain the proposal for the partnership, as well as the risks and benefits. Then, you can take your time to study it and make a decision.-

Vincent helped Alexis to take a seat, and I got his attention with a throat clearing.

-Excuse us for a second, I need to talk to Vincent first.- I dragged my cousin away from the table and looked at him angrily.

-Alexis Lancaster? We agreed that L&J wouldn't be associated with Lancaster Collection, why didn't you consult me beforehand? Oh, don't tell me, this was Alexander's idea, of course, since I didn't accept him as a partner, he turned to his brother.- I whispered to him so that the two men sitting behind us wouldn't hear us, and Vincent took a deep breath.

-If I had told you, you wouldn't have accepted. Alexis won't be associated on behalf of LC, but on his own account, it's not the same. Besides, Alexis' case is almost the same as Julian's and yours, he's starting from scratch, he's rebuilding his life. Aren't those the exemplary people you want to work with?-

His words, although not entirely convincing, made me change my perspective on Alexis' unexpected presence.

-Let's start the meeting, I'm sure you will agree to the partnership.-

After a few minutes in silence, I nodded my head, after all, Alexis traveled in those conditions from New York, it would be very rude of me to snub him like that. We both returned to the table to begin the presentation of the proposal.

I hoped I wouldn't regret this.

After a long time, during which we took care of informing and resolving Julian and Alexis's doubts, we handed each of them a folder so that they could take as much time as they needed to study the pros and cons, taking into account that it was a new brand, they had to take all precautions.

-Congratulations, Sarah, I think the proposal of not only launching a clothing line is very good, the future projections seem very promising. I accept the partnership.-

I froze in my seat when Alexis accepted after the presentation without stopping to think about the risk he could run by placing his trust in a brand that was just beginning.

Of course, the benefits were very good, but in case it was not what he expected, the loss would be very big.

-I also accept, although there is a margin of risk, with the contribution and experience of each one, we will decrease that margin. L&J will be a success.-

My heart skipped a beat and the excitement almost overflowed my chest because both of them agreed to be part of my company.

I found it hard to believe.

-Well, then, say no more, we've closed the deal.- Vincent spoke for me, realizing that I was stunned, unable to move a single muscle.

Soon, I snapped out of that state upon hearing my cellphone ringtone. My pulse quickened, and I quickly answered the call upon seeing the name on the screen.

-Mr. Richman, I was expecting your call.- That was the first thing I said without greeting. I was not in the mood to be polite at this moment.

The beats of my heart accelerated upon hearing Mr. Richman's determined words.

-Ms. Doinel, I have a large part of the evidence that incriminates the Dubois in many of their crimes. Can we meet?-