Chapter 32: Chapter 32

'I said, we can't find it from these clippings. Not, from this file', he grunted.

'Oh...well, I do tend to jump. No worries. So, what's it?', I asked sheepishly.

He rustled the papers in the file until he found what we were looking for. 'It was said that Edward was not happily overseeing the company. He was far from responsible. Drinks, parties, occasional drugs...whatnot. But Henry was desperate to set him straight. That was a bad move on Henry's part. Pushing Edward made him more rebellious rather than the other way out. He went into an incognito mode for 1 year on the company's dime. When he finally returned, he was a changed man. He took over the company's reins. Unfortunately, the company was already on its last leg. To save it, he married Diana. Viral company's daughter. Comes from a lot of money. It has appeased Henry a little bit. But, once again Edward accomplished ruffling his feathers when he brought a baby to his household'

'What? That's too rude. What's wrong with Henry?', I interrupted Kade.

'A baby... from other women. Who was brought, just after 3 months into his marriage', he gritted our, probably irritated by my interruption?

'Whoa. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes'

'Obviously, Henry got mad. Hence, 5 years. Edward became stricter than Henry after that. He abhors scandal.'

'Can he kill someone?'

'Can't say. But we couldn't write it off completely.'

Hmm. Was it such a sin that he got a baby out of wedlock? I didn't expect this from Henry. Maybe the wife. But not him. I know how it feels to be unwanted by their own parents. I couldn't fathom what that baby went through, being an outsider. 'Wait a minute, that baby...was he by any chance Raphael Sinclair?', I asked, my heart pounding so fast. If it's really him, then it would mean, Raphael is...

'Yes', he answered.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. 'Who is ... who is the other woman?'

'I could dig it up if you want it'

'Is it related to my sister's case?', I whispered, looking down at the table to hide my face.

'I don't think it's relevant'

'Then leave it. I feel like a fraud already. I forgot... something... in my room', I rushed into Kade's guest room and shut the door. I'm not a girl who can tear up easily. Mostly, I'm one of those who must poke their eye to get going in critical situations. But now, learning this about Raphael, I just want to run to him and hold him for a Long time. What he must have faced living in that home? Scorned while he was just a baby?

Tears came unbeknownst to me. I crumbled on the floor, imagining the pain he went through. No wonder he has built a fort around his heart. Was it the reason he was so cold to me when I became his secretary? Because Henry gave me the job?

I don't know how long I sat there thinking about Raphael.

'I bought Chinese', Kade tapped on my door.

'I'm coming. Just...give me a minute', I washed my face in the bathroom, hoping my face doesn't betray what I was doing. Alas...' traitor', I said to the mirror. I sighed and joined Kade.

We had our lunch in silence. Kade tried very hard not to notice my blotched face.

'Cut it. You are not being stealthy'

'I didn't say anything'

'You don't have to. I was being just emotional'

'You never were'

'I know. Can we blame it on hormones?'

He took a leaf out of Raphael's page and lifted his eyebrow. Oh...Rafa, now I know why you won't let me in.

To divert my thoughts, I asked him to continue with his lecture.

'This is Diana Sinclair. One of those society butterflies to the outside world-who are in rich clubs, gives charity to show who is richer and basically throws money at shopping Malls. But bitter and fickle inside her home. Rumors say that she was having an affair up until recently. No one knows about it in the family though.'

'Then how come you came to know?'

'There is this thing called...servants. They know everything. Rich ones generally overlook them. You should try to use that brain sometime. There is a high chance it would turn out rusty soon'

'Hardy Har Har'

'We don't know with whom she was having the affair with', he turned the conversation to the important matters.

'What would be her motive?'

'Does she need one? A person who can act so effortlessly in front of the society is dangerous indeed'

'Duly noted'

'Now this is Raphael Sinclair'

'Oh really, I never knew', I Whisper yelled.

He gave me a sour look that can curdle milk. 'Care to tell me his secrets?'

'No. Not really. You may proceed', I ordered him like a queen. Finally, I would learn something about Raphael other than his surly attitude.

'Frankly, there is nothing to tell'

'Seriously?'

'He is either mysterious or as clean as they come. He was the one who expanded this empire. The brain behind Sinclair.'

'Raphael and clean? Ya sure. And I'm Cinderella waiting for my prince'

'Why would Henry give him power, if he is so against him?'

'Appearances. Rich guys are all about it'

'Hmm', I didn't ask him whether he could kill someone. Because I know he could. But an innocent? No. He would never do that. I have that much intelligence to deduce that.

'This is Nathaniel Sinclair. Also known as jack', my demeanor changed looking at his photo.

'Playboy extraordinaire. Cheater. All his goofiness and funny nature hide shallowness, like his mother. Couldn't stay to attend to a girl for more than 2 months. Falls in love fast, out of it way faster. Work is just a hobby for him'.

'Sophie must have hinted for more. So, he silenced her for the disturbance she caused in his smooth sailing', I gritted out.

'Could be'.

Avoiding the anger inside me, I asked him, 'Next who? Queen Elizabeth?'

'Elizabeth yes. Queen no. But no one clarified that to her.'

'Who? I thought there was only Charlotte, their sister?'

'Elizabeth is not their sister'

'Then who?'