Chapter 45: Chapter 45

We entered the mansion without any fuss, seemingly as I was with Raphael. It’s a three-storey mansion where the main foyer splits into two grand staircases that only enhances the luxurious look. The mansion was full of such extravagantly gilded furniture and grandeur that I thought it would have been better suited to a reigning monarch.

We were directed to the ballroom (I stopped ooh...ing at the main foyer itself. Ballroom! I never knew anyone with ballrooms in their houses) where a different security detail is present to recheck the authenticity. Looking at the guest list I too would recommend it. Hollywood’s well-known actors, producers, politicians what not; you name it, they have it. The party was going with the sort of discreet swing that only serious money could contrive.

Ok, we are in, now what?

Can I ask?

Ask? Ask whom? What are you saying?

My inner diva clears her throat and said,

Attention everyone, this announcement is for those who have deep dark secrets that may interest us. Please follow the protocol and stand in a queue to deliver those secrets. No rushing.

Before I could let my inner diva venture on her madness trip, a couple intercepted us. Looking at the pride that can be radiated only from the owner of this enormous house, I deduced they must be his parents (of course, the photos Kade provided also helped).

Before Raphael can make the introductions, his mother sneered, ‘Oh Jacob, you don’t need to bring hired help for the event. I already hired a cleaning company. You could have said something about needing a date. I could have arranged for Elizabeth for you’.

Ok. One, I’m not a hired help. Two, why is she pushing Elizabeth on him? And three, who is Jacob?

I want to point out my findings but kept my mouth shut to know what Raphael will do? Once bitten, twice shy.

‘Diana, if you have missed, let me clear it for you. I’m a grown man. Your interest in my love life touches my heart but it was unnecessary. You see, this beautiful lady is my girlfriend. So, please be better in the future and rethink before insulting. I won’t let anyone talk about her like that. Consider this my only warning’, he told this with such casualness that onlookers would think they were talking about the weather. And all the while his father didn’t talk. Not to support his wife or son. It’s like he is beyond this pettiness. Is this normal for him?

After the ‘introductions’ are made with fake politeness, Edward Sinclair, his father, steers him to a group of executives. With nothing better to do, I followed him. After some office talk, the executives left. It soon became awkward when Edward Sinclair blatantly ignored me. I thought about making some excuses when the discussion took a turn on Watson industries. Woah. Watson Industries, the one Elizabeth’s family owned. A possible merger... Kade’s voice tinged in my ears about Edward’s motive.

‘It was a good thing we rejected their merger idea two months ago. Good thinking on your feet. A little birdie told me Watson Industries is struggling to hold on to their current investors. Shares are dropping at an atrocious rate. There was an incident or rather an intentional one, where they thought it would gain more investors. It backfired big time. Now, investors are demanding their dues. And Watson is up to his throat handling them. That mess would have been ours if you have signed that contract. Lucky miss, I say’, he drowned on about other things.

My mind quickly deduced the details putting in the right timeframe and concluded that Edward Sinclair is no more a suspect. His motives are- possible scandal, merger. For a guy who has the inside knowledge of his rival company, surely, he must know about the supposed affair of his wife! When he didn’t bat an eyelash at his wife’s affair why would he bother with son’s?

I quickly made some excuses about being thirsty and left them to their discussion. Edward is no more a suspect. That leaves his mother, sister, Nate, and Elizabeth. These are the only options I’m considering. Not Henry, his grandfather, and not Raphael.

I exited the ballroom with no one the wiser and went in search of the private rooms. Ok, let’s scoop. I asked a passing maid about Nathaniel’s room, giving her another obvious impression of why a single girl is asking his room. This must be normal because she gladly told me without even doubting once. What kind of life do these rich people lead?

Once entered I locked the door and started rifling through his things. My search leads me nowhere. There is nothing. Why is it never easy?

Let me handle it, said my inner diva now in Detective disguise.

Oh, shut up.

I carefully checked the perimeter before leaving the room. I was doing in mini miny Moe to choose which way to go, when I heard, ‘What are you doing here? I told you not to come’.

That voice. It just sneered at me a while back. OH. This is interesting. What is Diana hiding? Or rather whom?

I hide my presence behind one of many drapes littered on this Mansion (seriously, it’s like they are doing a commercial of drapes).

‘I wanted to see you. You won’t reply to my texts anymore. Contacting you has become difficult. This is the only way I could meet you. I missed you. Your touch. Don’t you miss me?’

Kissing sounds can be heard from their room. Someone gag me now. What did he miss about that old batty? Her Botox? And weirder is that the male voice sounds young. There is something that is not right here. My thought process halted when Diana said, ‘Oh, darling. We shall cut our ties. It was a close call when that stupid girl discovered about us. I don’t want to risk Edward’s wrath on us. Please understand darling, we have to part our way’, she said with such sophistication, it’s as if she practiced it in front of her mirror.

My mind was reeling me back on her statement. That Stupid girl. Could it be Sophie? Is that mean does Diana had a hand in her murder?