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Chapter 21
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 22
"You really think the managing director of Barrington will do something so low?" Bernice stood up from the chair and paced around the study room, her voice quivering."I wouldn't put it past him, Bernice. Barrington's been salivating for an opportunity like this. But for somebody to hand him our plans on a silver platter? That I did not see coming."She had moved up to the edge of his desk and stood level with his face; her heart fluttered a thousand beats. "And you're quite sure it's an inside job? That it could be someone we know?"He ground his teeth, flashing his eyes with anger as fists clenched. "It has to be. Barrington didn't just stumble upon our designs. It was handed to them, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it.""Who do you think it could be?" Bernice asked now, leaning in closer to him. "Perhaps Gabriel or even someone in IT?"Rafael shook his head. "Gabriel is loyal. I worked with him for years; he is every bit as angry about this as I am. The IT are on our side, wo
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 23
The further Rafael went into trying to piece it all together, the more of a blur the picture was, racing in his mind. No end had ever been seen to this. A way to the truth had to be there without losing everything in the process.First, though, he had to meet with Gabriel. That other had inquired into; perhaps there would be more light upon the matter, perhaps it would plunge him yet farther into darkness of doubt.Rafael got to his feet from the armchair and started his exit from the study into whatever awaited him outside, his was going to the meeting with that great fear that his wife might be the one betraying him.His phone rang as he was about step out of the study room. It was Gabriel. He answered the call immediately. “What is it? What did you find?” Impatient was evident in his voice.“I'm sorry Rafael, the information isn't leading to anywhere yet, calm down for now, I'll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible and let you know immediately,” Mr Gabriel said over the p
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 24
Rafael went to his study. He could not keep the issue out of his head, and it played cricket with his thoughts. He just couldn't shake off that nagging hollow at the bottom of his stomach that kept telling him he ought to be worried about something. Lunch only reaffirmed to him that Liam was definitely not the guy involved, and that asked more questions than it answered.He dialed Ethan's number and waited for it to be answered."Ethan, we should probably talk," he declared when his nephew picked up. "I went on a lunch date today with Bernice and Liam, and… well, I don't really think it is all that clear.""What are you saying?" Ethan's voice was taut, a little too keen. "Picked up on something fishy?""No," Rafael admitted, frowning. "Liam gave me no leads to Bernice. Well, in fact, he is convinced that somebody from his own staff thought about this."A pause on the other end, then Ethan spoke again; this time, he was more careful. "Maybe Bernice is being very, very careful. You kn
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 25
Her heart raced when her eyes met Rafael's, which were obviously made of ire and disbelief. The accusations, though, had seemed real by that time to her; she hardly felt like breathing, but she had to keep cool. This wasn't about her; she was doing this to prove her intentions to him."Rafael, please," Bernice pleaded and took a step closer, though it felt like miles of distance stretched between them. "That man isn't who you think he is."His expression turned to wrought steel as he folded his arms. "So who would that be, Bernice? And why are you having secret meetings with him?"She took a deep breath, wondering how to phrase it best. "He is a private investigator," she said with her voice already shaking. "I hired him to do a search regarding someone important; who is connected to you."Rafael frowned at this, puzzled: "Someone connected with me? Bernice, this is getting to be insane. Because if this was all about me, you should have just gone out there, out in the open, not met wi
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 26
Bernice and Rafael sat and stared at the plain, brown, very brittle envelope that Madam Alice seemed to push at both of them. So tense seemed the room, with this subconscious accusation leveled at the Hidden in the room, by the covered bird of prey. Bernice watched him as he ripped open the envelope. Her heart was pounding as though one would watch some bird of prey. A small black flash drive dropped onto the desk."Wait, what's that supposed to be?" Bernice's voice quivered, big eyes boring straight into Rafael like they held an equally desperate amount of urgency expressed by her face. She knew Rafael was already on to her, and whatever was on the drive could literally make or break her."I don't know." Rafael grumbled and got down to retrieve the flash drive. He held it in front of him like he expected the thing to talk in his hand. "But we're about to find out."He plugged in the drive to his laptop, and they both crowded around the screen as it flickered to life. The seconds se
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 27
The next morning, Rafael headed into his office with a razor-sharp look. The video was hauntingly poisoned, but he looked so cool, as if nothing was happening, while anger boiled inside him. He did not lose any time and called Gabriel's number."Gabriel, come to my office now," mandated Rafael with a cold-cutting tone in his voice.That had been instinctual on Gabriel's part, but there hadn't been a flashing open hotline for questions as the call ended. He paced a good full-length of his office, the thoughts seemingly galloping every which way as the sting of betrayal stung, and he was going to get to the bottom of this.It was moments before the door to the office was closed and Gabriel was in the room. "Rafael, what's wrong? You sounded urgent."Rafael didn't answer right away. Instead, he gestured to the other chair, motioning for him to be seated, and then turned to get his phone off the desk. Even while he completed the call, his fingers drummed on the surface."Angela, come to m
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 28
Rafael's phone buzzed; he picked it up to the receiver. He really hoped that it was the news he had been waiting for. On the other end, it was Gabriel's voice, very calm but for the thrum of his urgency."Rafael, we've got something. You need to come to the IT room right away."Without hesitation, Rafael was out of the office and on his way toward the IT department. His heart was racing as he pushed open the door before him, anxious and a little impatient. There, he met Gabriel, flanked by some specialists in IT at some monitors, somber."What do you have?" Rafael demanded sharply in his query. "Who was it?"Gabriel cast a glance across the team before he stepped to the front. "We found out who the hacker is. His name is Ryan, a young guy with a reputation who's really good. Not exactly a balloon name, but good enough to pull this one off." Rafael scrunched up his face as his mind revved up. "Ryan? I don't know any Ryan. How did he get in?"One of the IT guys, a thin man with glasse
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 29
His shoes clicked onto the marble floor as he stormed down the hall. He knew he had to move quickly but above all, immaculately. Rafael was all about precision and power and one wrong move, one single delay in deciding, would seal Ethan's doom. Stopping in front of his secretary's door, he took a deep breath then pushed it open."Close the door," he ordered in a low, but firm voice.His secretary is a young girl, barely out of her teens, and her name is Claire. She looked up from her desk, pale-faced, and said, "Is something wrong, Mr. Ethan?"Ethan pinned his cold eyes on her. "Yes, Claire. Something is wrong."She gulped audibly. "I.I don't understand."It was incredibly ladened in Ethan's voice, "I am serious, Claire? You couldn't do a simple job right."Claire's eyes widened with fear, "M-Mr. Ethan, I swear to God I-""Save it," cut Ethan in the middle and took a step closer to her. "I think Rafeal knows everything. The hacking, the meeting with Ryan, all of it, and you've put me
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His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 108
Bernice grasped the wheel as if to hold it for dear life, the minute she pulled into Rafael's office parking lot. Today was supposed to be routine-quick, business-focused, in and out. Yet, for some reason, that old tension that always hung in the air where Rafael was concerned seemed to ratchet a notch higher today. She steeled herself and exhaled in an attempt to keep her cool through whatever new turn this meeting might take.She entered the office, heel to toe, clicking softly on shining marble floors, and prepared herself by silent rehearsals for yet another strained-for-civility professional encounter. But as she went into Rafael's office, what greeted her was not the now-familiar figure behind the large desk but the large, empty room: the leather chairs there, the mahogany desk stood as it ought. But without Rafael's presence, the room sounded silently unread, unfinished.Frowning around. Where was he? So engrossed in steeled words and curbed emotions, she was quite caught of
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 107
"Why are you being so hard, it doesn't have to be this way," Rafael was saying in a low tone as he relaxed back into his chair, the intensity pulling at her stomach. "We've shared… a lot more than just business, haven't we?"She met his gaze steadily, hiding the frustration bubbling just below the surface. "Rafael, please," she said calmly. "Why don't you get it and just stop making this harder than it already is."He huffed, his head tilting as if he was studying her. "You make it sound so cold. I'd hoped…” He let the silence hang a little too long."I'd hoped we might find a way back, somehow. Clear the air. If not now, then perhaps… over dinner?""I don't think that's such a good idea. I'd rather keep things professional," Bernice shot back.“Professional,” he repeated, a bite to his words as he leant forward almost scoffing. "Is that really the way you want to play this?"Bernice's fingers closed over the edge of the table. "It's how it needs to be, Rafael. You made your choices.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 106
Alexander's head had whipped toward the hall the instant Ethan's cell phone had buzzed on the coffee table."Ah, I need to take this," Ethan muttered, snatching up his phone and moving toward the door. He turned back to Alexander, his brow furrowing briefly with suspicion. "Be right back."Take your time, Alexander said with a wave of his hand, even as he settled back into the couch in that same nod of the head, waited for the door to click shut behind Ethan before springing up himself in one swift second, his expression going from one of relaxation to one of focus in that same swift second.Here it was.Alexander padded down the narrow hall, his eyes flashing to either side into the rooms on both sides. Light of foot and keen-eyed, scanning for any sign that might hint at where the burner phone was. It would not be out in the open; Ethan was too careful for that. But a man could get sloppy when he thought he was safe, and Alexander had no intention of leaving without a closer look.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 105
"Alexander, I have an update," Detective Marcus said, the sound of his voice crackling through the phone, the seriusness of his tone a prologue to the weight of the news he was about to deliver. "We figured out the phone used to contact the kidnappers."Alexander's hand tightened on the phone as he traversed the expanse of his study. "And?""It was a burner phone. Disposable. Untraceable beyond the initial purchase, but enough to confirm someone's trying hard to cover their tracks."Alexander exhaled low and narrowed his eyes. "So Ethan and Olivia think they can outsmart us. It only makes me sure they're hiding something."For a couple of seconds, Marcus didn't say another word, his voice low. "Be careful, Alexander. If they are in this, they are playing with fire already."Alexander's jaw clenched. "I know that, and that's just what makes me have to keep pushing. Thanks for the update, Marcus."As Alexander tucked the phone back into his pocket, he hung up the call. New determinatio
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 104
"Ethan," Alexander said, his tone silky, deliberate, as he sat down opposite him, easing his body into the leather chair with a casualness that didn't quite fit the discussion about to take place. "We don't get to sit down like this often. Thought it'd be nice to… change that."Ethan's eyes fluttered, shoulders guarded. "I didn't realize you were interested in spending time… outside of business."Alexander hunched his head forward and loosed a low husky laugh; the sound broke up in a relaxed clap of hands. "Business, business," he muttered wryly, flashing Ethan a sly smile. "Seems that's all I ever talk about these days. I figured you'd understand-the need to unwind a little."Ethan nodded shortly, eyes narrowed at Alexander guardedly. "I don't have many people I. trust, to put it mildly.”Alexander lifted an eyebrow; his face slackened just enough to show empathy. "Oh, I get that. I've heard enough about Rafael's dynamic relationships to understand loyalty is hard to come by around h
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 103
"Business, Rafael," Bernice's voice cut, keen as a knife, as she looked up from the table, her eyes like steel. "That's what we are here to discuss-the partnership. Nothing else."Rafael leaned back in his chair, one corner of his mouth tugging upwards in a smirk as his eyes lingered on her. "Oh, but Bernice," he said innocently, "you make it sound so. impersonal. We have history. Surely that entitles us to a bit of friendly conversation?"She didn't bat an eyelid. "This is a business meeting, not a reunion.”Rafael's head leaned in, but that smirk never faltered. "You always did know how to cut straight to the point." A soft clearing of a chuckle emitted from him at the rhythmic tap of his fingers against the table. "Can't deny that's something I missed about you."She bit back, choking down her urge to roll her eyes as her gaze fell onto the stack of documents in front of her. She was ready for this, knew all of Rafael's games. It didn't make a difference to being incensed over it.
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 102
"Tell me, Bernice," Rafael's tone was indolent, but his eyes flashed with something darker as he leaned back in his chair, never once looking away from her. "Are you really ready to work with me?"Bernice met his gaze, her eyes unflinching. "That depends. Are you?"A smirk played on his lips, his eyes masking their true expression. "You were always… amusing. I've missed that about you."She cocked her head to one side, undisturbed by his words. "I don't miss anything about you, Rafael."He chuckled low in his throat. "We'll see about that."Alexander stood across the room, his jaw clenched, while this all transpired. Every time Rafael so much as looked in Bernice's direction, his entire being bristled. He hadn't wanted her to agree to this, and every second she spent in Rafael's presence felt to him a willful and calculated attack on his own resolve.Bernice sailed through the conference in detached grace, her voice flat and professional, her face a mask of resolve. When Rafael ventur
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 101
"Rafael has agreed to the deal," Gabriel began, his voice cool, even, as he spoke to Alexander and then Bernice in the silence of the posh restaurant's private room. The next words to leave his lips, though, were laced with the weight of a complication neither could easily disregard. "On one condition—he wants to work directly with you, Bernice."Alexander's eyes narrowed and his hand tightened around the edge of the table. "Of course he does," he muttered, speaking low enough that his frustration did not escape.She sat silent, composed, her face unreadable. She had expected this move from Rafael; it was just the kind of strategic play she had anticipated. Rafael didn't want a simple business arrangement; he wanted an opportunity to draw her back into his orbit, to see if he could unsettle her."Is that all right with you, Ms. Bernice?" Gabriel asked as if he hadn't seen the clenching of Alexander's jaw or the way Bernice's fingers rested tautly upon her thighs.Alexander turned a s
His uncle's sweetheart Chapter 100
Bernice shut the door of her hotel room, feeling this weird mix of triumph and something unsettling, like a ghost she thought she'd long since buried was whispering just behind her. She took a deep breath, leaning her head back against the door, replaying the events of the day in her mind-the meeting, Rafael's silent, searching gaze, and the way she had remained poised and unwavering. She'd hardly let herself look at him, hardly allow him to register as more than another face across the table.But of course, it wasn't that simple.She muttered to herself, as though the silence could be broken by firm resolve. "It doesn't matter anymore. None of it matters."But she knew it wasn't quite true. She could still remember the incredulous look that had crossed his face that night, the fire of his anger blazing in his eyes. And how he had cut her out of his life without a single question, without letting her explain what had happened. She didn't know today how that stranger had been in her
