Chapter 33: Recant the story.
Chapter 33: Recant the story.
Chapter 33: Recant the story.
Ian arrived at home almost an hour later. When he entered, Ms. Pierce informed him his mother was sitting in the grand room. As he made his way to the room, he noticed her staring at a painting. Without looking in Ian’s direction, she spoke.
“This is beautiful. Who’s the artist?”
“Cassandra.”
Nancy turned her head in surprise as she looked at Ian.
“Ha! I had no idea she could paint.”
“She has a lot of talents. Maybe if you all hadn’t thought she was beneath you….she could have shared them.”
Nancy glared at her son. She never liked how he always defended Cassandra to her. She was his mother for crying out loud! Taking a deep breath, she sat back on the sofa.
“Well….her artistic talents are surly why your home is so lovely. I hope that girl has some taste.”
Ian looked at his mother confused. Why would it matter if Dara had taste or not.
“Dara’s not changing the house.”
Nancy looked at her son as if he had three heads before she started laughing.
“Oh Ian….sometimes you are so naive. That woman is not going to marry you, move into this house, and watch you hold onto the designs of Cassandra like some shrine. You are marrying her I presume?
Ian nodded. Originally, he’d planned on telling Dara he was going to the East to try and win back Cassandra, but after that article…..he knew there was no way Cassandra would take him back now. The only logical thing to do would be to marry her; if not for any other reason than his son.
“Then the least you can do is let the girl decorate her home. It’s bad enough she’ll have to live in Cassandra’s shadow for everything else. Let her home be her peace.”
Ian stared intensively at his mother.
“Is that how it was for you mother?”
Prior to marrying his mother, Ivan Keller had been betrothed to someone else. A woman named Kelly Lockhart. She was Ivan’s first love. They'd grown up together, their families being close. He loved her dearly. She was pure, sweet, and understanding; but even that couldn’t stop him from falling for the temptations of Nancy Vanhorne. Nancy was beautiful, exciting, and dangerous. Ivan fell hard; she became an addiction to him. Soon, he was spending all his free time with Nancy seeing Kelly less and less. Still, he hadn't called off his engagement, that is until the day of their actual wedding. Nancy showed up crying, pleading for Ivan not marry Kelly because she was pregnany with their child....Ian. Ivan immediately called off the wedding and ran away to elope with Nancy.
Nancy looked at her son with an unnamed emotion in her eyes.
"Your father never married that woman. they were merely engaged."
Ian lightly chuckled.
"Tomato; Tomahto"
Nancy's eyes darkened, but she decided not to say anything further on that matter. Besides, that wasn't why she was there.
“What do you plan on doing about that article?”
“Why?”
Nancy looked annoyed, must everything be a challenge!
“Ian….why do you have to be difficult with EVERYTHING!”
“Because I can. As head of this family I don’t owe you or him any explanations….so if Ivan sent you over here-”
“Your father didn’t send me!”
“Then why do you care about the article?”
Nancy turned her head, too afraid to tell him the truth.
“Ian…..wouldn’t it be better if everyone thinks Cassandra wronged you? I know you love her….I get that….but it’s your reputation on the line here!”
“What are you not telling me mother? I suggest you say it now before I lose my temper!”
Ian wasn’t dumb, he knew there had to be a real reason other than his “reputation” on why she cared so much. Taking a deep breath, Nancy stood up.
“Fine! The reason I’m asking is because……it was your sister….okay! She’s the one that went to the press! But Ian! You have to understand; she thought she was helping you! That girl told her Cassandra cheated on you and when she heard it was with Ayden Crawford she-”
“STOP TALKING!!!”
Nancy swift rambling was making it hard for Ian to think! Rubbing his forehead, he paced back and forth before he finally looked at his mother who now looked frightened.
“So instead of talking to me….she talked to the press. Is that what you’re telling me?”
His voice was eerily calm causing Nancy to shudder.
“Y-Yes….but Ian…she really didn’t mean for this-”
“That’s no excuse! She went to the fucking press! And LIED! Mom….Cassandra could decide to sue her for defamation…or worse! She could demand Issie be arrested!”
Nancy’s eyes widened in horror! She hadn’t taken that into consideration. Everyone was so focused on how Ian might react….they forgot about what Cassandra may do! Frantically, she ran over to Ian.
“I-Ian!!! You can’t let her do that! It could ruin Isabelle!!! Think of her reputation!”
Ian was pissed! This was exactly what he was afraid of!
“It’s Dara’s fault! She should have never suggested Cassandra cheated! If she-”
“Oh for fucks sake mother! Did Dara tell her to go and run her fucking mouth to the press!”
Nancy stood in silence as she had no answer. While it was true Dara gave Isabelle the information…..what she chose to do with it was all on her. Holding her hands up, Nancy spoke.
“Alright…..you’re right Ian. Isabelle screwed up! But she’s your sister! You have to protect her!”
Ian rolled his eyes and scoffed. Everybody around him was becoming insufferable!
“I’ll handle it mother. In the meantime…..tell Isabelle to keep her fucking mouth shut!”
Nancy nodded frantically.
“I will! I’ll keep her in the house until this all blows over!”
After Nancy left, Ian made his way to the warehouse. Once inside, he saw the reporter, Jason Royer tied to the chair. His eyes wide from fright.
“Did he say anything?”
Eric nodded.
“He claims it was your sister. I’m not sure if I believe-”
“It was.”
Eric’s eyes widened in shock! He had a hunch Dara spoon fed information to one of them.
“Apparently Dara thought Cassie was cheating on me and told my sister. Out of anger she contacted him.”
Eric nodded. His inner thoughts running wild. Dara knew exactly what she was doing. Ian walked over to Jason and ripped the tape off his mouth causing Jason to yelp. Frantic, he began explaining himself.
“M-Mr. Keller!! I swear! I got that information from Isabelle Keller! I would have never ran that story if I-”
“Shh….calm down Mr. Royer…..I believe you.”
Jason let out a sigh of relief as the beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.
“Oh….thank you Mr. Keller! Thank you-”
“But that still doesn’t mean you weren't the one at fault here.”
Jason’s eyes widened in shock! How could he still be at fault!
“I….I don’t understand-”
“Don’t you? You’re a journalist Royer. It’s literally your duty to vet every story that comes across your desk. Yet you simply took my sister’s word for everything?”
Jason began to explain, his voice filled with panic.
“I had no reason to disbelieve the source! It was your sister!!! That’s the only reason-”
“And the five million she paid you? That didn’t encourage you to push the story out before checking your sources?”
The color began to drain from Jason’s face. Ian was right. His greed made him rush the story out before verifying all the facts. Ian sat in the chair in front of him.
“Looks like you're seeing the bigger picture; relax Mr. Royer…..you still have time to make this right.”
“H-How?”
Ian smiled.
“It’s simple…..just recant the story.”