MY EX's BILLIONAIRE BROTHER

3: A WEB OF LIES

Josephine tried to fight the security, but she was hoisted and carried out of the building without a slight consideration that she was a high-class lady.

“I will be back!” She kept yelling on her way out, making herself the spectacle of the day in the Well's corporation.

Meanwhile, Sebastian sank into his chair with a sigh. His brain felt like he had opened a thousand tabs on chrome, using really shitty Wi-Fi. He tightly squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to relax. But unimaginable fear crept in. What if he lost Kristine? She wasn't biologically his, and that could be grounds for custody issues. Parting his lips, he puffed out and leaned back on the chair, fetched his phone, and called the one person, he knew hated Josephine more.

“Tony,” Sebastian rasped once his older brother picked up his call.

“What's wrong Ian?” Anthony sensed his younger brother's distress. Sebastian didn't answer immediately, which alarmed Anthony.

“Ian?” He called again.

“She is back,” Sebastian rasped, pinching the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes briefly. Anthony didn't have to ask who Sebastian was talking about. There was only one woman, they both loathed more than anything in the world. Anthony could feel Sebastian's anxiety through the phone.

“What the hell did she want?” Anthony roared, getting on his feet angrily. He loosened his tie and opened the top button of his shirt. Before Sebastian could respond, he added quickly. “Is this about Kristine? Did she come back for her?”

“She showed up at the merger meeting earlier, on behalf of Andrew Jamestown,” Sebastian explained all that transpired after he laid eyes on her. Anthony listened silently, thinking of ways to bankrupt the Jamestown's if he finds out they are in league with her. The woman had already hurt his youngest brother, Lewis, and he wasn't going to sit idly and let her do the same, to the only one he has left. Undoubtedly, Kristine was the lifeline of Sebastian's life. Anthony shuddered to imagine what the latter would do if anyone dared take Kristine from him. And it was no secret the little girl kept the memories of Lewis alive. She was just like Lewis when he was young. From her outspoken character to her brilliance not to mention the over friendliness.

“We will be prepared for her this time,” Anthony promised.

After talking for a while, the brothers agreed to meet up later with their parents and discuss the way forward. Unknown to Sebastian, Anthony had already started making calls to his private investigators. He wanted dirt dug on Josephine, anything that can discredit her, just in case she thought of fighting for Kristine's custody.

***

On the other hand, the elder Jamestown was raving mad at his son Andrew. They had blown their shot at having a merger, with one of the most prestigious companies in their country. They had just received a rejection email, from the Wells' corporations, and the reason was stated boldly in caps.

YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS UNTRUSTWORTHY, AND WE ASSUME SO ARE YOU!

“Father, there must be a valid explanation for this.” Andrew tried defending Josephine to his father. “Please, father, let me get to the bottom of it.” Mr. Jamestown trusted and loved his son more than anyone. And one mistake wasn't going to change that.

“Do that,” he boomed. “But that woman should stay away from our businesses for now.” Andrew agreed quickly. He was yet to see Josephine and hear what had transpired. He was eager to understand why the Well's corporations labeled her untrustworthy.

******

Josephine rolled down the windows when she began hyperventilating. Her heart was pounding erratically, and her palms became sweaty and shaky. She heard her phone ring, but she didn't have the strength to pick it up. 'Calm down,' she told herself. 'You need to calm down.' She repeated breathing in slowly and deeply through the nose. She held her breath and then exhaled gently through her pursed lips. She kept doing so, squeezing her eyes shut until her heart stopped racing before checking her phone. As she had suspected, it was Andrew. He was with no doubt calling to see why she had cost his company a promising future. He called again, and she let it go to voicemail, preferring to give a face-to-face explanation. She exhaled deeply, wiping her sweaty palms, buckled up and pulled out of Well's parking basement fast.

****

“What happened?” Andrew shot to his feet once she closed the door, getting further into his office. Josephine didn't answer immediately. She needed a moment to compose her thoughts, and Andrew discerned it.

“Come here,” he grabbed and pulled her for a hug. Josephine needed it. She held tightly onto him, and let the tears she had been fighting to keep a bay fall. What began as a silent weeping soon became full-blown wailing. Andrew held her through it all. Rubbing her back and shoulders lovingly. “Are you okay?” He asked once she had quietened down. Josephine nodded, taking a deep breath.

Andrew steered her to a nearby couch.

“I saw my daughter,”

“What? Where?” Andrew screeched in disbelief. When he first met Josephine, she told him of her daughter and the guilt that she carries within every single day for losing her.

“She is with Sebastian McCain,” Josephine explained to Andrew what had happened earlier, how she was sorry for ruining his business venture. By the time she was done, Andrew understood why she looked so shaken and defeated.

“That asshole!” He growled, referring to Sebastian. He knew the man, business-wise. But something crossed his mind. In all his dealings with the man, not once did the man come out as cruel. He was truly understanding and patient and kind of goofy. Then he turned to his wife to be, wondering if she was telling the truth.

“How did your daughter end up with the McCain's?” Andrew asked warily. Josephine gulped. She had never told Andrew about her child's father, and she didn't know how he was going to see her after she tells him the truth.

“I lied…” she began softly, but Andrew interrupted.

“About your child?” Andrew growled, looking disturbed by the mere thought, disgusted even.