Chapter 82 - HEIRESS'S SECOND CHANCE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter Eighty-Two “Seeds of Doubt.”

Christian Kingston.

I am willing to go to a far distance for the sake of Isabella. I am determined to help her overcome this crisis, and I meant it when I said I will do whatever it takes to help her do so. I have done all I said I would, from the lawsuits down to tracking down the ones behind the tabloids and making them take it down as well.

Of course, I gave the orders and had my people handle the rest but there was something I could not help but feel as though I need to handle myself so as to prevent such incidents from sprouting in the future again from this very topic.

So, after leaving Isabella’s office, leaving her to handle the tasks there that she could, I headed out for this task of mine, with one destination in mind.

The elevator dinged before the doors slid open, and I found myself looking up. Stepping out of the elevator, I was welcomed by one of the workers there, already awaiting my presence.

“You’re are welcome, Mr. Kingston,” He acknowledged, and I offered him a curt nod in reply. Then, he added. “This way, please.”

I followed him down the hallway of the floor, not missing the fact that some of the workers there stopped what they were doing to throw curious eyes at my presence there, but I paid no heed to them.

We reached the end of the hall where there is a double door, and the man pushed it, allowing me to walk in first before he followed. He took the lead again, strolling further into the spacious office, before announcing our presence to the person standing by the glass windows, staring outside with the person’s back facing us.

“Mr. Kingston is here.” He did not get a reply, but he did not seem to mind. He turned around and walked out, leaving us alone.

With him gone, the person turned around to meet my gaze, her lips slanting upwards into a smile the moment her eyes met mine. “Christian,” Zara’s smile could practically be heard in her voice. Making a move in my direction, she rounded the table then came to stand in front of me. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence here?”

I kept my expression blank, wanting it to remain as professional so she could understand the basis of this meeting. “I am sorry for calling on such short notice,” I apologize instead. “It is something important, I am just glad you could make time despite your hectic schedule.”

Her smile widened slightly, before she shrugged. “Well, if you meant busy due to what happened at the ball then,” She sighed, “It has been eventful,” She gestured with her hand for me to settle down on the couches there. While I do that, she made a move to the other side of the office, her voice coming again. “If you are referring to my every day schedule then, it is same as always. It is always busy,” She looked over her shoulders to meet my gaze. “Would you prefer tea or coffee?” She asked, and that was when I realized she is standing in front of the coffee machine.

I shook my head, “None, thank you.” I saw her lips slant downwards into a small frown, but she recovered her smile quick enough, and still went ahead to brew the coffee—for herself I supposed. “I would like to speak to you about the former, actually. I hope you do not mind.” I said.

A slight hum came from her, and while she awaits her coffee to be done, she turned around to look at me, leaning on the counter with her arms crossed over her torso effortlessly thanks to the suit she is wearing. “Let me guess, you are here because of the scandal with your wife,” She stated as a matter of fact, her expression unmoved, and unconcerned. “I am sorry but I do not think I would be of help in that aspect.” Holding my gaze, she added in a serious tone, despite the smile on her face. “She has you, I doubt she has any need for me.”

I don’t know why, but something about her tone tells me she has more deeper meaning than what she just said, than its superficial meaning. But, I did not dwell on that. Instead, I asked. “You know Crystal, don’t you?” I asked instead, my tone implying that it is more than just a question.

Zara shrugged. “She’s a high class model,” She stated, as a matter of fact. “I have a fashion brand subsidiary.” She added. “Of course I know her.” A ding from the coffee machine came, making her turn around so she can prepare the drink.

“On a personal level.” I said, and from where I stood, I watched as she stilled for a split second, but she recovered quickly. “You know her beyond business level, don’t you?” I make it sound like a question, but we both know I am stating facts here. I do not speak without factual evidence, and for me to come here, I know what I have on ground.

Zara did not say anything, but when she turned around, she has two cups of coffee in her hand. Approaching me, she kept one in front of me, “Added a bit more sugar, since I know you have a sweet tooth,” She said, ignoring my earlier statement of not wanting one, then made a move to sit opposite me, taking a sip of her drink. After a few sips, she sighed, dropped it on the coffee table in front of her, before she met my gaze with her earlier smile intact. “That did not sound like a question, by the way.”

“Prior to Isabella leaving and eventually running into her, I saw you two together,” I stated, “After the auction.” I added, for clarity. She caught my attention when I saw her leaving the grounds, and my interest was stirred when I saw her and Crystal exchanged looks before they left albeit not together, but with a minute interval it was too obvious they planned it.

Zara came back, but never Crystal, that was around the time Isabella left. I did my digging of course when this broke out, and it turns out the two actually go a long way back.

Zara did not seem moved by my statement, not in a guilty way at least. “What is the point of asking when you already know we know each other then?” She arched a brow, her smile falling to reveal something akin to a sad face—but it did not seem feigned. “Yes, I knew Crystal personally, is that wrong?”

“No.” I shook my head. “But you did not reveal that at first.” I pointed out.

“I am a business woman, Christian. Of course, business comes to my mind first,” She said, “Besides, don’t you think I am already going through enough because of her loss? Or, don’t tell me…” Her head tilted to the side slightly, eyes narrowing. “…you are not suspecting me, are you?” She did not hide the fact that she feels offended from her tone, and I do not blame her.

“Not in that way, no.” I shook my head again. “I know you were out when she fell as well.” I remember seeing her return a few moments before Isabella did. I know Crystal’s death was ruled as suicide, but I have reservations. “But I am finding it hard to believe you do not know anything about what she was planning.”

She smiled, but it was nothing welcoming, rather, it is bitter. “If there is one thing I know, it is that she certainly was not planning on killing herself.” She stated earnestly. “She seemed too much like someone determined to live with a reason for such.” She was quick to stop herself, as if she has said something she should not.

But, I heard her. “A reason?” I arched a brow. “What is that reason?”

“Nothing,” Zara shrugged it off, and I knew I would not get anything more out of her. “But, like I said, she had no reason to commit suicide, unless something came up that pushed her to make such decisions.” Her tone suggested something—something I understood very well.

I shook my head, my lips slanting into a humorless smile. “You believe the news about my wife too.” I stated.

She shrugged. “Does it matter whether I believe it or not?” She arched a brow. “It won’t bring back Crystal, would it?”

I held her gaze, and I realized then there is nothing I will get out of her again. I got a lead anyways, I will hold onto that. So, I nodded to myself, then pushed myself to get on my feet. “That will be all, then. Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.” Offering her one curt nod, I made a move to walk out.

However, just as I reached the door, Zara’s voice came. “Just a friendly heads up, you should be careful too,” My hand paused on the handle, “I am not saying she is a bad person, but you know the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

I turned my head around to look at her with questioning eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Her mother,” Zara stated, as if surprised I seemed in the dark about the matter. “She left her dad for someone, I mean he is not a saint either considering he had an affair and had two kids outside his marriage to her but still,” She sighed. “With a family history like that, you should be careful of her as well.”

I held her gaze for a few seconds, not knowing how I should react to that new piece of information. I already knew of Edward Montague, everyone knows—and he told me of it as well. But, Isabella’s mother is figure no one spoke of before, so this is news.

With furrowed brows, I turned around and walked out, deciding to not depend on information from someone else. I will wait for when Isabella feels like telling me, I trust her besides this is her personal information.

And yet, the information keeps crossing my mind the entire day as much as I try to avoid it. What is the story behind Isabella’s mother? Who is this mysterious woman and what is the story behind the Montague family really?