Filed to story: The Hidden Queen: My Husband’s Mistress Ruined My Empire (Serena & Christian) Book PDF Free
“I assure you that won’t happen,” I said confidently.
“Good. Because I’m not one to be taken in by lies. Lexi here will be disowned if she even tries it” the grandfather said, slamming the newspaper down on the table with a ferocious scowl.
I glanced at Lexi who turned her head away and avoided my eyes. The grandfather cleared his throat, “Now as for damage control” he said tersely, plonking himself down in his seat and regarding the two of us “You are going to send out those divorce papers” he said coldly “and then, there is going to be an announcement made about the two of you getting engaged. First, you are going to be seen getting the ring” he paused “you will spare no expense” he added “and the media will no doubt catch wind of you ring shopping. You will play the part of a loving couple” he instructed.
This didn’t seem too hard. Lexi’s eyes were gleaming “Oh I can’t wait until I see that b***h’s face when she gets served the divorce papers,” she said with a laugh and a flip of her hair.
Her grandfather glared at her “You will not go near her. You are to have nothing to do with her. The woman is entitled to move on with her life and the more time you spend involving yourself in her affairs, the more the media will continue to hash this out. Stop being so petty.”
Lexi looked irritable. I cut in and took her hand, rubbing it gently as she relaxed “Don’t worry about it darling” I said as the grandfather listened “you’re the only one that I want and that’s all that matters. Serena’s nothing, a nobody. You shouldn’t want to be involved with somebody of such a lower status than you.”
“Finally somebody that is speaking sense,” her grandfather said agreeably “I am going to look into Serena Thorne’s background and see if there is anything that can cause even more harm to our reputation. Is there anything we should know about?” he asked, turning to stare me in the face.
I laughed. “Nothing. Serena is as boring as they come” I told him honestly “I looked into her background before we got married. She comes from a simple home, works as a yoga instructor, and has limited funds. All she knows how to do is work and look after the household. She won’t give us any trouble” I assured him lightly, amused at the thought of Serena trying to do such a thing.
Sure she might have hurt Lexi last night, but I was certain that was a once-off, brought about by her emotions rather than anything else. She was no match against the Vance’s and she would be silly for even trying to stand against them. “You better be right,” the grandfather said, standing back up and beginning to turn “because I don’t have to tell you what’s at stake if this all goes pearshaped Lexi. Grayson is also entitled to the company” he reminded her and just like that, I saw a vicious expression on her face.
“That company is mine. I am never going to let that bastard take it from me. He’s always wanted what he cannot have. This time, I’m going to get what’s owed me. Grayson can go to hell for all I care” she said passionately while her mother nodded in agreement next to her.
Her grandfather chuckled. “Be that as it may, Grayson always manages to surprise me. For a man that has very little to do with the family name, he might just decide he wants this company after all.”
I saw Lexi bite down on her lip. “Well the son of a b***h isn’t getting it” she hissed to me. “He resents the family name, so he doesn’t deserve to have it.”
I wondered what this Grayson was like and why his name instantly caused not only Lexi to look angry, but her mother as well. Such a reaction to one name could only spell trouble in the future. I never knew how much trouble, until I was fully in the thick of things.
Grayson POV
I was studying some legal documents with a heavy frown when my personal assistant Timothy came walking in, carrying some coffee and a newspaper folded underneath his arm.
“Good morning Grayson” he greeted me, placing the coffee down in front of me carefully.
I inhaled its sweet aroma and put my documents aside, taking an appreciative sip of the scalding hot liquid and enjoying the caffeine fix, my personal assistant’s eyes twinkling as he adjusted his spectacles.
“Good morning Timothy. I have the legal documents that you faxed to my home last night and I believe that I have an appointment with Miss Claudette later this afternoon, involving a wrongful eviction claim?”
“Correct” Timothy confirmed, “I don’t believe you’ll have any issues with that case. It seems to be pretty up and dried. The landlord is throwing his weight around, but the law is clearly on Miss Claudette’s side as you’ve no doubt already determined” he said as I grunted and gave a nod.
If there was anything I hated more, it was arrogant wealthy men who thought they could use their money to grant them special privileges or make them believe they didn’t have to adhere to the laws. I would enjoy taking down this landlord who had a tendency to evict its tenants for the simplest of breaches, none of which were legal while threatening them with expensive lawyers if they threatened to stand up against him.
“The case will be over within an hour,” I said with nonchalance “The landlord is all talk and bluster.”
Timothy just chuckled “Well when the other lawyer sees he’s going up against Grayson Oakes, the mighty defense lawyer, he might just turn tail and run” he suggested as I gave him a devilish grin “and save us the trouble of even going to court.”
“Not likely” I growled “he’ll want his paycheck, just like any other lawyer working for a wealthy businessman, whether he wins or loses.”
I nodded towards the paper that remained firmly folded beneath Timothy’s arm. “What’s with the paper Timothy? Is there something in there you don’t wish me to see?” I drawled, raising a brow.
“Oh, this,” Timothy said, glancing down at his arm “Well actually, the thing is..” he sighed and then untucked the paper from his arm and smoothly slid it over to me.
I grabbed it and spread it over my desk with disinterest, my eyebrows raising as I took in the front page.
Spoilt Heiress Has Affair With Married Man. Gets Slapped by Wronged Woman.
Featured prominently on the front page, was a picture of none other than Lexi Vance, my half-sister, getting slapped by another woman. I studied the other woman’s profile, taking in her delicate features, the stunning mixed hues of brown and blonde in her hair, the blazing light in her eyes, and her porcelain-like complexion, and my chest tightened slightly. The other woman was beautiful. Not in a supermodel kind of way, but in a unique, down-to-earth way that called to me. I glanced at Lexi, noting that she was dressed in designer clothing and heavily made up as usual, a stark contrast to the woman who had slapped her.
I shook my head in disgust. “It looks like Lexi has managed to smear the good name of our family once again,” I said nonchalantly, shaking my head.
It was no surprise to see that Lexi had managed to get herself in the papers. Every month or so, there was some scandal that was attached to her in the media. I was intrigued though, by the other woman, my hand tapping the image of her as Timothy sat down and glanced at the picture with interest.
“Sir, if I may be so blunt” he began.
I nodded toward him “Well if she’s having an affair, then it’s likely that this woman and the man she’s seeing are going to be getting divorced” he said.
“The thought had occurred to me,” I said coldly.
“Right,” Timothy nervously adjusted his tie “Well do you think, maybe, that Lexi might marry this man?”
