I struck the conference table with my fist.
"Where is she?" The meeting room was deserted when I spoke. "Where is my sister?"
Calm as ice water, Kieran sat across from me. He drummed his fingers on the gleaming wood. Five minutes ago, she departed. claimed she had more important things to do.
Anger burned in my chest. I find out I have a twin sister after twenty-two years of believing I was alone. And before I can even talk to her, she's gone.
I yelled at Kieran, "This is your fault." "This whole thing was planned by you."
One eyebrow went up. "Did I now?"
"Avoid playing games with me." I got up so quickly that my chair toppled over. "To mess with my head, you brought her here."
"She actually brought you here," Kieran said slowly.
My blood turned to ice. "What?"
"Your sister is now employed with us. has been for six months. As if he owned the world, he reclined in his chair. "It was she who suggested we give you a call."
The room whirled around me. I steadied myself by grabbing the table. "That isn't feasible. I have no sister. My parents would have informed me.
"Isabella, your parents had a lot of secrets. similar to how mine do.
"Stop lying!"
Kieran slid a tablet across the table after taking it out. "Take a look for yourself."
I picked up the tablet with trembling hands. A birth certificate appeared on the screen. On the same day, two babies were born. same medical facility. same parents.
Sophia Chen and Isabella Chen.
"Sophia," I muttered.
"She now goes by Sophie," Kieran remarked. "She has spent her entire life searching for you."
"So why did she just flee?"
"She might be afraid. Perhaps she assumed you would turn her down. He examined my face with his blue eyes. "Perhaps she is aware of your stubbornness."
I wanted to hit his head with the tablet. Rather, I carefully put it down. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because we must cooperate."
"Never."
"Isabella, your company is dying. You will be destroyed by your father's debts. Kieran got up and circled the table. "But you'll earn enough money to save everything if you work with us on the Morrison Project."
He came to a stop next to my chair. His cologne was odorous to me. Feel his body heat. Something strange happened in my chest.
"The Morrison Project?" I was able to ask.
"A contract worth five million dollars. Three months of labor. Two and a half million would be your share.
I hurried to my feet, separating us. "What's the catch?"
"No catch. Just business.
"With your family, there's always a catch."
Kieran's mouth clenched. "My family isn't as bad as you believe."
"Your family ruined mine."
"Your father attempted to rob our most valuable customer. He misrepresented our goods. He disseminated false information that nearly destroyed us. Kieran's tone became harsher. "So don't discuss who destroyed whom with me."
I balled my hands into fists. "My dad was truthful. He would never steal anything.
"Then tell me about this."
After taking out a folder, Kieran placed it on the table. Copies of emails were in there. Letters. records. My father signed them all.
I felt ill after reading the first email. My father sent a letter to Morrison Industries alleging that Hawthorne products were defective. Risky. Untrustworthy.
"These are fake," I muttered.
"The FBI has already looked. They are authentic.
I looked over more documents. My stomach ached more with each one. My dad had told lies. cheated. stolen customers using misleading information.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "My father wasn't like this."
"People aren't always who we believe them to be."
I tossed Kieran the folder. Papers were all over the place. "Leave me alone."
"Isabella..."
"I told you to leave!"
However, he remained motionless. He took a step closer instead. "I understand how painful this is. Realizing that your hero isn't flawless. However, your father was not perfect. similar to how mine did.
"What were your father's mistakes?"
Kieran turned his head away. "He was aware of your father's difficulties. In a desperate situation. Rather than fighting him, he could have assisted him.
His voice changed the way I perceived him. He appeared to be... depressed.
"Why didn't he assist?"
"I'm proud. Anger. "Stupidity." Kieran looked back into my eyes. "My dad now feels bad about it. particularly following the death of your father.
I had a constricted throat. "Your father regrets Dad's passing?"
"He feels accountable."
My chest began to crack with anger. similar to ice melting in hot water. I slumped into my chair.
I muttered, "I don't understand any of this."
"I don't either. However, perhaps we can work it out together.
"Together?"
Kieran took a seat across from me once more. "Two businesses must collaborate on the Morrison Project. The creative part is your responsibility. We take care of the business aspect.
"Why me? You could collaborate with anyone.
"Because you excel at what you do. Additionally, because..." He hesitated. "Because we were asked to by your sister."
My heart leaped. "Sophie wants me to collaborate with you?"
"It's the only way to unite both families," she says. to put an end to this pointless conflict."
I gazed at him. For the first time, I truly looked at him. He had a kind but tough face. His eyes, like mine, were filled with pain. He was not the monster I had thought he would be.
I inquired, "Where is she now?"
"Her apartment, most likely. She lives ten minutes away.
"I must see her."
"I understand." Kieran got to his feet. "I'll give you a ride."
"You don't have to..."
"Yes, I do." He turned back after walking to the door. "Whatever transpired between our fathers need not happen between us, Isabella."
My chest began to feel warm. Perhaps hope. or something riskier.
"Okay," I said quietly.
This time, Kieran's smile was genuine. Kind. My knees felt weak from it.
He extended his hand. "Partners?"
I examined his hand. powerful fingers. Keep your nails clean. His thumb had a tiny scar. My heart began to race for no apparent reason.
This was not a good idea. It was risky to work with him. It was palpable in my bones.
But I had to have the cash. I also had to visit my sister.
I slowly extended my hand and grasped his.
My entire body was electrified the instant our skin touched. My veins are blazing. My chest is burning. I jerked my hand away as if I had been burned, gasping.
Kieran's eyes were wide as he looked at me. He was still reaching for me, his hand trembling a little.
He whispered, "Did you feel that?"
I was unable to talk. unable to breathe. The spot where he had touched my hand was still tingling.
The door of the conference room flew open. Panic on his face, a man in a black suit burst in.
"Mr. Hawthorne," he exclaimed. "You must arrive right away. An accident has occurred.
Kieran whirled. "What kind of accident?"
It's Sophie Chen, your sister. Her vehicle plunged into the river from the bridge.
My entire world darkened.