Chapter 81: Part Of His Plan

“She did what?” William gasped.

“You are missing the main point here… tell him not to hide anymore,” Sarah chuckled.

William was silent for a second before he cleared his throat. “You are taking this awfully well, considering you were shaking in your boots every time you heard Vera or the Stones being mentioned.”

Sarah looked at the bodyguard who was trying his best to look everywhere other than her. “We can talk about this later. Tell him now.”

William chuckled and told her he loved her before hanging up. The bodyguard’s phone rang and after a few moments, the man nodded at Sarah before starting the engine.

When Sarah reached William’s house, he was already showered and changed. He ushered her to the dining room and pulled the chair for her to sit down. Sarah looked at him suspiciously. “You have something to ask of me. No need to butter me up, tell me already,” she urged.

William gave her a lopsided smile and cocked his head to the side. “My father knows that we are together,” he said without hesitation.

Sarah blinked in surprise. “So much for keeping it a secret. I suppose our cover story wasn’t as good as we thought it was,” she commented.

“No, it was pretty good. Dad just heard about us being at the club from someone and checked. He didn’t seem displeased,” William insisted, keeping some parts out.

Sarah quirked her brow. “I doubt that.”

“Which is why I revealed that I had found you.”

Sarah froze. “I told you not to mention it, didn’t I?” she whispered.

William nodded. “And I didn’t tell him anything except for that. He did want to meet you but I said no.” His eyes were filled with apology, and Sarah knew what he was going to ask of her.

“I only overcame my fear of Vera and you want to pit me against your father?” she asked. Suddenly, the spear-like words Vera had said before leaving ran through her mind again.

“Which surprised me,” William interjected. “But my father is not your enemy. He genuinely wants to meet you and I am sure he will love it that we are together.”

‘With my complicated background? Maybe he will… but on the other hand… maybe he will despise me even more.’ She didn’t say what she was thinking, though. She only smiled.

“I only realized how scared Vera is of me. She seems sure that I will come out of the woodwork and take everything from her.” She shook her head in amazement. “Does she think it is so easy?” Sarah questioned.

“She is thinking on the right track. With me and my father supporting you, your claim to the family company is stronger. All you need is the approval of your uncles.”

Sarah shook her head. “I have no interest in that. Maybe that scares her more. Because she doesn’t know where my bottom line is and when I will come after her and everything she has.”

Seeing the faraway look in Sarah’s eyes made William uncomfortable. “You don’t have to take over if you are uncomfortable. It’s not that important.”

She stared at him for a moment before nodding. “Thank you…” She ate the food silently and thought about her options. She had trusted William with her secret and his father would not go against her benefits because of her special identity. If not as Cera Stone, she could meet as William’s girlfriend who just happened to have good connections (even if she didn’t use them).

“Can I meet your father for lunch on the weekend?” she asked.

William perked up, knowing she had conceded to revealing her identity to George Colton. He stood up and reached out for her to take his hand. “I will arrange it,” he replied.

***

Luca was still in shock as he rushed into the private room and found William and George sitting inside, speaking.

“I thought you were bringing Cera Stone with you.”

William hummed. “She declined my offer to pick her up and wanted some time to prepare.”

George nodded in understanding. “It must be overwhelming to meet your father’s friend… especially the father that you have never met.”

William noticed Luca waiting and turned to him. “What is it?” he questioned.

Luca glanced at George reluctantly. “It is about the matter you asked me to check out,” he said quietly, hoping William would understand.

William raised his brow. “Is this about Vera and Senator Barn?” he asked frankly. Luca nodded. “You can speak in front of my father. I have told him that they have someone on one another.”

Luca shuddered as he remembered what he had found out. “President Colton… Chairman Colton… It is not a dirty secret that can come out and bode well for either of the two,” he started. When he saw the confusion on the others’ faces, he continued, “They have been involved in an affair for many years now.”

George gasped. “How long?”

Luca produced the medical envelope from his bag and handed it to George. It was a DNA test result. The father and son looked it over and found that it was a DNA test done between cousins.

“What is this?” William questioned.

“I did the test on a whim… I collected DNA from Wendy Stone and Timothy and matched them.” He paused. “These are the results.”

“Not possible!” George gasped. “How could Vera be with Barn so long ago? The man wasn’t even prominent back then. The reason she was insistent on marrying Phillip was because he had cheated on his wife and impregnated her. And she wanted his influence.”

“Or she was pregnant and used the situation for the best,” William commented. The room fell silent.

“Is that what she plans? To dream of putting an illegitimate child on the board of the family company,” George scoffed. “If not for Phillip’s reputation, I would disclose this truth to the world. What a great ambition she has…”

William patted his father on the knee. “Don’t get stressed because of such a trivial matter.”

“Yes, I shouldn’t be worried with you involved. You will take care of it. Make sure to help Cera take over the company. It cannot get into the hands of Vera Kincaid and her daughter, no matter how much influence they have.” George turned to look at his son. “Remember, the only way you can take over Colton Group is if Cera Stone takes over the company. Otherwise, forget about love and marriage. It is of no use to you.”

William nodded. “You don’t have to worry. I will find a way for Cera to take over.”

Without their knowledge, the last few sentences had been heard by the person on the other side of the door. Sarah looked down at the dress she was wearing and felt like laughing. Of course, William promised not to force her to take over… but it was all part of his plan.