Chapter 80: Cling To Him

“Nothing like the cool wind in your hair after a grueling day of work, huh?” Vera chimed as the car raced. Sarah didn’t respond, only staring at the road ahead as a thousand scenarios ran through her mind. “What? Are you too scared now that you are alone with me? You didn’t feel that way when you helped William go behind our backs and make a deal with another politician.”

Sarah arched a brow. “Is that why you are holding me hostage?” she questioned. The timing was too suspicious to be a coincidence.

“Holding you hostage?” Vera gasped. “I can let you out of the car right now if you want. But you will have to choose wisely,” she stated without looking away from the road.

“You will probably throw me out if I wanted to leave,” Sarah sighed. “I assure you that no one is going to report it to William or Chairman Colton. I have no impact on the deal.”

Vera scoffed. “Little girl, did you really think I care about that deal? If not for Barn being behind you, I would have stopped playing…”

Sarah furrowed her brow. “Then why today?”

“Because I just found out you are my husband’s daughter. The same daughter William Colton has been looking for and has finally found. I am surprised you told him even though you know how capitalists are,” Vera laughed.

“I don’t understand what you are getting at,” Sarah said frankly. “If you are here to taunt me and scare me into hiding, I don’t think you understand the influence you have on me.” Sarah didn’t plan on being dishonest and behave courageously when she wasn’t.

“I have always been scared of you and that will never change. You are a force to reckon with. But acting like a mad woman doesn’t help your case.”

The car stopped at a red light and Vera threw her head back and laughed. “You have grown a spine and I love it. It should come from your confidence in William and his love for you.”

“As a matter of fact, it does,” Sarah replied immediately.

Vera hummed. “Just like your mother, thinking that the man you are with will take your side at all costs.” She paused and looked over at Sarah for a brief moment before turning to the road. She started the car before speaking again. “Have you wondered why he is with you?”

“You will tell me what you think regardless… so, go ahead,” Sarah said nonchalantly. This felt like a pathetic attempt to put a wedge between William and her. Sarah felt disappointed that the amazing and scary image of Vera she had in her mind was falling apart.

“He never told anyone you were his girlfriend when he thought you were an orphan. He used your brain to his advantage and now that you have suddenly revealed that you are Phillip Stone’s long-lost daughter, he is taking the credit in front of his father.”

Sarah didn’t feel the need to correct Vera. What use was explaining that she was the one who wanted to keep the relationship a secret?

“So what?”

Vera nodded, impressed by her strength. “Are you sure you want his father to know all about you? Yes, there were talks of marrying the daughter and son of the two families… do you think you will take that place?” Vera questioned.

Sarah raised a brow. “I heard I was eligible as long as I am Phillip Stone’s daughter. Why not?” she challenged.

“Then I will support you fully. Knowing that he will marry you only because his father told him to…”

Sarah looked at Vera incredulously. “You’re pathetic,” she stated calmly.

“Am I?” Vera mumbled. “I would be upset if the man I loved was only with me because his father set an ultimatum.”

Sarah’s expression must have fluctuated because Vera caught it and continued.

“And you didn’t know?” she chuckled. “William was looking for you because his father wanted him to. George told William that as long as he found you, he could take over the company. And now… William Colton will be the new Chairman.”

Sarah’s expression eased. She had a sliver of doubt that William had known from the beginning and it was all a game… but when she heard the truth, she felt relief.

“That’s all?” she said, amused. “I am glad I could help him take over then.”

“You’re amazing. Much better than your mother,” Vera whispered. She stopped the car on the side of the road.

Sarah’s mother had seen her husband cheat and fled in a fit of rage. But she imagined that no matter what Vera said, Sarah would stand firm and fight for William. This was a commendable quality to have.

Vera furrowed her brow, disappointed. “I thought you were an intelligent girl who knew how to use men, but—”

“You’re disappointed that I actually like William?” She paused, a wild thought occurring to her. “Don’t tell me… you actually liked me.”

Vera shrugged. “I thought you were like me. Despite knowing who you are, I actually coveted you. You are not ambitious but you are useful… but you are loyal to a man… loyal to a fault…” She sighed. “You will get the man, but I can’t promise about his heart.”

Lord knows she had schemed her way into Phillip’s life, but she could never receive the love Sarah’s mother had.

Sarah didn’t know how to feel. To be coveted by Vera was supposed to be something to be proud of, but her tone was derogatory. “I am nothing like you, Vera Kincaid. I will never cling to a man who doesn’t like me,” Sarah swore.

Vera raised a brow. “We will see…” She trailed off.

Vera looked at the rearview mirror and then at Sarah. “Looks like you aren’t as invisible as you thought. Someone was concerned about where you went and followed.” She nodded in the direction of the car and Sarah followed her gaze.

Sarah didn’t recognize the car.

“Do you think William is sweet to hire a shadow bodyguard or do you think he is keeping an eye on you and your movements now that he knows who you are?” Vera tried hard to plant the seed of doubt in Sarah’s head.

Sarah shrugged. “You’ll never know,” she said before making her way to the suspicious car. She knocked on the driver’s window and it rolled down.

The man was dressed casually, but the sharpness of his eyes betrayed his pretense.

“Are you employed by William Colton?” she questioned.

The man hesitated to answer. Sarah already had the phone to her ear.

“Already missing me?” William asked teasingly. The lack of sound around him made Sarah believe that he was driving home.

“Mm. I found the bodyguard you planted.”

William was silent for the longest time. “Exactly how did you find out?” he asked finally.

“I got into a car with Vera. The man must have been worried so he slipped up. Ask him not to hide anymore. I don’t mind it.”