"I already told you, Grandfather, that girl is beneath me. She has no self-control. How can you expect me to marry such a woman?" Sebastian's voice was sharp, edged with disdain. His piercing blue eyes gleamed with defiance as he paced the room.
"Sit down and shut up!" Old Caldwell's voice thundered, his gaze stern and unwavering. "You seduce a woman and then blame her? Is that what you call being a man?" He shook his head in disappointment, his lined face etched with disapproval. "You will marry her, no matter what."
Sebastian scoffed, folding his arms. "And why, should I do that?"
The old man's eyes narrowed, his tone dropping to something almost conspiratorial. "Because she could be the truth to uncovering the truth about your father's death."
Sebastian froze. The irritation that had been burning in his chest suddenly morphed into something else—a sharp, electrifying interest. "What did you just say?" His voice was quieter now, but it carried a dangerous edge. "Are you telling me my father had something to do with Claire's mother's case?"
Old Caldwell exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples as if the weight of the past had settled on him once again. "It was a long time ago. Even I don't know everything. But what I do know is that after your father died, Mrs. Harry also died under suspicious circumstances. And then, suddenly, Olivia got married to Mr Harry and took over the family business." He paused.
"I was shocked to learn that the inheritance should have gone to Mr. Jones's daughter. Only later did I uncover the truth—Olivia and Claire's mother were half-sisters. And what's more, Claire wasn't even Olivia's real daughter. I only learned this recently."
" How does my father relate to all this?" He asked unsure.
"He was a close friend of Mrs Harry. She had complained about a certain thing she feared then, and your father had promised to help her." The old man replied without haste.
Sebastian's fingers curled into fists at his sides, his breath coming in short bursts. His blue eyes darkened, burning with unrestrained fury.
Without another word, Sebastian turned sharply on his heel and stormed out of the mansion. The echoes of his heavy footsteps reverberated through the grand halls of the Obsidian Arena, his grandfather's calls lost to the wind.
The Obsidian Arena was a secluded estate, far from the bustling heart of town. Old Caldwell had chosen the location for its solitude, a place where the past could remain undisturbed. The mansion stood like a fortress, shrouded in towering greenery. The carefully manicured plants tended to by dutiful maids, only served to heighten the eerie tranquility of the place. The nearest neighboring houses were a considerable distance away, adding to the estate's air of secrecy.
Sebastian climbed into his car, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with every passing second. He tore down the winding roads at reckless speed, the engine growling in sync with the storm raging within him. His mind raced, each thought sharpening his resolve.
He needed to see Claire again.
The city lights blurred past as he drove, his rage a dangerous fuel. After what felt like an eternity, he arrived at his destination—the Royal Prestige Hotel and Bar, the place where he first met her.
The moment he stepped inside, the dim glow of the chandeliers barely illuminating the smoke-laced air, his eyes locked onto a familiar pair of striking brown eyes.
He suppressed his anger instantly and Vegan approached her.
"You said you had answers." Claire's voice was steady, her expression unreadable as Sebastian approached. The Royal Prestige Hotel and Bar was nearly empty at this hour—just a few scattered guests, the dim lighting casting long shadows. It was the perfect place to talk without fear of being overheard.
Sebastian tilted his head slightly, his blue eyes dark and unreadable. "No small talk?"
"I'm not here for pleasantries."
A flicker of approval crossed his face as he leaned forward. "Good. Then let's get to it." His gaze was sharp, assessing. "Tell me, Claire… What do you know about your mother?"
Claire stiffened. The truth clawed at her throat, bitter and humiliating. "Nothing," she admitted. "Not really." She folded her arms as if bracing herself. "I grew up thinking Olivia was my mother. Then, after my father died… I found out she wasn't."
Sebastian studied her, his face unreadable. "And now you want to know who she was."
Her pulse quickened. "You already know, don't you?"
"Her name was Eleanor. Eleanor Harry." He replied inclining his head.
The name struck her like a blow to the chest. She took a half-step back, shaking her head. "Eleanor…" It should have meant something. But all she felt was emptiness.
Claire swallowed hard. "Why?" Her voice wavered despite her best efforts. "Why would she erase my mother from my life?"
Sebastian's smirk returned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Now that… is the real question."
Claire forced herself to meet his gaze. "How do you know about my mother?"
"I told you before, I'd help you with your mother's case. Of course, I should know something."
His words settled over her like a shroud, heavy with unspoken truths. She lifted her chin, forcing steel into her voice. "And what do you get out of this?"
Sebastian's smirk finally faded. "Let's just say… I have my reasons."