28 Chapter 28 – The Doctor Is Already Here
“Jealousy?” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Where have you been living? What kind of work do you do now?” Beatrice seemed genuinely interested.
Before I could respond, the door swung open again. Fiona swept in, wearing a crimson dress that likely cost more than most people’s monthly rent. Behind her, Beatrice Hayes entered slowly, leaning on her cane.
Fiona tossed her perfect chestnut curls. “Then why exactly are you here? This is a business meeting with Dr. Wilson, not a family reunion.”
I saw her intent in the slight tilt of her wrist – the hot tea wasn’t meant to touch her lips but to splash across the table onto my clothes. A classic Fiona move.
“I think we should call the restaurant and check on Dr. Wilson’s whereabouts,” Caleb
said, pulling out his phone. “This is unacceptable.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. I watched emotions play across Fiona’s face shock at her mother’s defense of me, followed quickly by calculation.
Beatrice turned, still holding my hand. “I didn’t realize Elara would be here, but I’m delighted she is.”
I smiled slightly, enjoying the moment more than I probably should have.
Beatrice watched me with a strange expression – part curiosity, part pride. Did she know? Had she figured it out?
“Fine,” Fiona snapped. “She can stay. But she’ll need to keep quiet when Dr. Wilson arrives. This meeting is crucial for Caleb’s career.”
Fiona looked at me with narrowed eyes. “What do you mean?”
Fiona, still dabbing at her dress, smiled triumphantly. “Yes, run along, sister dear. Dr. Wilson will be here any minute, and we wouldn’t want to confuse them with extra staff hanging around.”
“Yes, jealousy,” he continued, pointing an accusing finger. “You’ve always been jealous of Fiona. Always wanted what she has. Well, guess what? You’re not fit to be in the
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same room as Dr. Wilson. You should leave before you embarrass yourself further.”
“Oh my dear,” she whispered, moving forward with surprising speed. “It’s been so long. Almost ten years!”
In one smooth motion, I shifted my chair back. The tea arced through the air, missing me completely and splashing back onto Fiona’s immaculate crimson dress.
I set my tablet down on the table, screen facing up to display complex energy conversion formulas I’d been working on.
Caleb crossed his arms. “Let’s not waste time on this. Dr. Wilson will be here any minute, and we need to focus.” He turned to me with a dismissive wave. “You should
go.”
“Excuse me,” he said dismissively, “this is a private room. The service staff entrance is back that way.”
We settled around the table, Beatrice insisting I sit beside her. The waiter brought tea, and I watched as Fiona’s annoyance grew with every question Beatrice asked me.
I smiled tightly. “Actually, I’m not.”
“No, Mrs. Dubois,” he cut her off. “With all due respect, this meeting is too important. Elara needs to go.”
Caleb’s face hardened. “What would you know about it? You’re—”
Beatrice’s grip tightened on my hand. “Fiona, please. I haven’t seen Elara in so long.”
“Yes, focus, ladies,” Caleb added condescendingly. “Dr. Wilson is brilliant but notoriously difficult. One wrong move and we could lose everything.”
Beatrice’s eyes crinkled with concern. “Please stay, Elara. Join us for lunch. I’d love to catch up.”
Her frail arms wrapped around me in a genuine embrace that caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected this warmth, especially not in front of Fiona. Awkwardly, I returned the hug, breathing in her familiar lavender scent.
She lifted her teacup in a mock toast. “To family reunions.”
“Because she abandoned us,” Fiona snapped. “Left without a word, never called, never
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visited. And now she shows up here of all places?”
She shrieked, jumping up as the hot liquid soaked through the expensive fabric.
I stayed firmly in place. “I don’t think I will.”
The door opened, and Caleb Sterling strode in first, his expensive suit perfectly tailored to his athletic build. He stopped short when he saw me, confusion flashing across his face before settling into that familiar condescending smile.
I sipped my tea. “Is that so?”
Beatrice’s eyes widened. “Elara?” Her voice trembled. “Is that really you?”
“There’s no need to call anyone,” I said calmly.
I raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps Dr. Wilson isn’t impressed by the Sterling name alone.”
Fiona rolled her eyes. “Oh, drop the act, Elara. You’re not important enough to be kept waiting by anyone.”
I set my tablet down and straightened. “Hello, Mrs. Dubois.”
Before I could answer, Fiona interrupted. “Mother, I’m sure Elara’s life story is fascinating, but shouldn’t we prepare for Dr. Wilson’s arrival?”
I glanced at my watch. “Actually, Dr. Wilson was scheduled to arrive fifteen minutes ago.”
I watched the interaction with interest. This new spine Beatrice was showing was unexpected. For years, she’d been kind to me in private but rarely stood up to Fiona or Alistair publicly.
“She’s probably serving drinks,” Caleb snorted. “Or clearing tables.”
“Of course,” Fiona said, her voice suddenly saccharine. “I apologize, Elara. It’s just been so long, and we’re all a bit tense about this meeting.”
“Dr. Wilson is already here.”
“Of course you wouldn’t understand,” Fiona snapped. “Dr. Wilson is a genius in new energy research. Their work on sustainable power could revolutionize the industry.”
Caleb stood up, face flushed with anger. “That’s enough! This is exactly why you
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shouldn’t be here. You’re sabotaging an important meeting out of jealousy!”
I bit back a smile. If only they knew.
Caleb nodded. “The Sterling Group needs Dr. Wilson’s energy research. If I can secure this partnership before my uncle Arthur, it will cement my position in the company.”
I leaned against the polished wooden desk, absently scrolling through research papers on my tablet while waiting for my “important guests” to arrive. The private dining room at La Maison Rouge was plush and quiet – exactly what I needed to maintain my composure for the confrontation ahead.
“My sister,” Beatrice cut in firmly. “And she deserves respect in my presence.”
“Mother!” Fiona hissed. “This is important!”
“And make the Sterling Group billions,” Caleb added, straightening his already perfect tie. “My uncle Arthur has been trying to court Dr. Wilson for months without success.”
“Where is Dr. Wilson anyway?” Caleb muttered, checking his own watch with growing impatience. “I don’t appreciate being kept waiting.”
“You did that on purpose!” she screamed, dabbing frantically at the spreading stain.
“So is family,” Beatrice replied firmly.
His jaw tightened. “Look, we’re expecting someone important. Dr. Wilson will be here any minute.”
Fiona frowned. “How would you know that?”
Beatrice tried to intervene. “Caleb, please-”
“Did what? You’re the one who spilled your tea,” I replied calmly.
“What is she doing here?” Fiona’s voice cut through the moment like a knife. “Mother, you can’t possibly want her at this meeting.”
I didn’t bother looking up from my tablet. “I’m aware.”
I picked up my tablet again, bringing up my research files. “Neither do I, Mr. Sterling.”
