Chapter 62 Gossip

(William's POV)
My eyes widened and I suspected that something was wrong with my ears.
My father, even if he disliked Raphael even more, he only wanted me to keep Raphael in check and never wanted me to inherit the family business.
I didn't know what to say, but he kept looking at me as if he was patiently waiting for me to answer.
I understood that this was an opportunity, and if I seized it, it was possible to bring Rafael down for good.
I looked at him and finally nodded firmly: "Father, I think our purpose is the same, I have seen all that Rafael has done over the years, I know that you do not like some of the things he has done to you, don't worry, as long as I also have my leverage, I will not let Rafael get to the top so easily."
My father laughed as he looked at me: "William I know that I have not been good enough for you all these years, but, because of outside pressures, I have not been able to do anything for you directly, and now, with Raphael's wings hardened and the time thoroughly ripe, I think it is time to exercise you."
I didn't take my father's words, and after that, we fell into a short silence.
I think it's not surprising that he's probably having flashbacks to what happened.
I know why my father didn't want to see me, but of course, this time, even if my father helped me, it was most likely because of my mother.
I took a breath, and at this time, my father suddenly said, "William, is your mother okay now?"
Sure enough.
"She's in good health, and if the father would take the time to visit her, I think she'd be very happy."
My father shook his head as he looked over at me, a look of embarrassment already on his face.
I think if I had to find one thing that Raphael and I have in common, it would be about our respective mothers.
I know my mother was an inserter in other people's relationships, but if it weren't for my father, neither my mother nor Raphael's mother would have suffered as much as she did.
Because my mother did not have a substantial relationship with my father, I had to carry the identity of an illegitimate child forever.
But I don't blame her. Because that year she also did not have any choice.
My mother eventually chose to give birth to me after she first became pregnant, and even then, she never wanted to ask my father for something.
My father was a truly despicable man.
I am very clear about this.
I hate him, but I am not able to show any disobedience to him now, otherwise, there is no way for me to protect Lena.
The mistakes my father made once, I will not make a second time, no matter what, I will find a way to protect Lena.
I think it shouldn't be long before those shares are transferred to my name, Rafael, and I won't let you hurt Lena.
(Lena's POV)
Rafael and I had a cold war for two days, and although I didn't end up saying something to blame him, and he didn't say anything more to me that was too much because of it, we still didn't give in to each other.
Raphael is still treating me as well as he did before, and everything is fine except not talking to each other.
Jamie also seemed to notice the change between us. He tried to find a way to reconcile us, but of course, we still overestimated the ability of small children, and even with such efforts by Jamie, it did not have much effect.
This state of affairs was broken on the third day by Rafael.
He suddenly said to me, "Lena, there's a party this weekend and I need you to attend it with me."
I didn't expect that he was going to talk to me about something like that.
Although my heart still has some irritation, I no longer have the strength to continue to confront him.
I nodded, sort of saying yes to his invitation.
The party was scheduled for Saturday evening and Rafael asked me to attend the party as his wife.
Although I wasn't very happy about it, Rafael insisted on it.
"If you're not my lady, then you can't get into the party."
"You didn't say anything to me about such a request in the first place."
"But you didn't ask me in the first place, either."
Raphael had a point, and I finally gave in to him.
Rafael brought the special dress to me, it was a very nice party dress, tied with a white bow at the waist, there is elegance in modesty.
I've never been disappointed with Raphael's taste, and I'm certainly sure that I didn't disappoint Raphael with the way I looked in this outfit.
Before the evening started, Rafael left my side for some polite socializing.
I wandered around the venue alone. To be honest, I would often attend such parties and I knew what kind of purpose such parties had.
However, this was the first time I had participated in an event that didn't have much to do with me.
It's all about Rafael and I can enjoy the atmosphere of the place and not with any purpose.
I picked up a glass of wine, drank it without any worries, and then began to wander around within the venue.
I don't know almost anyone here, but some people seem to be very curious about me, and they reach out their hands and point at me, and I don't pay attention.
Of course, I know why they behaved the way they did with me, all because of Raphael.
Although I did not admit that I was Raphael's wife, according to Raphael's social status, there must have been quite a few people who knew of my existence.
As I was walking past the two women, I heard their conversation very clearly.
"Is this Mr. Raphael's wife? But I also heard before that Mr. Raphael doesn't have a wife?"
"He got married five years ago."
"Then why haven't I ever seen her in five years?"
"You don't know about them, I'm afraid?"
"What is it?"
I saw the woman in the red dress look around very carefully before, and another woman continued: "I heard that Mr. Raphael's wife once disappeared, for what reason, I'm not sure, some people say that she ran away with someone else, and others say that Raphael's purpose has been achieved, she has no more use, so put her abandoned, but I'm afraid the real reason only they know."
I looked at the two men, who still didn't notice me and were still talking in secret.
My eyebrows raised and I couldn't help but spit in my heart and say: even if they come to ask me, I don't know exactly why.
Of course, these words are not possible for me to say out loud.
"That's terrible, my God, if that's true, then why is she back now?"
The woman in red also looked very distressed as she shook her head along.
At this time, the other woman suddenly looked to the side. At this time, I looked right at them.
We looked at each other briefly, then the person quickly withdrew her gaze and pulled the person beside her with a red face.
The woman in red was a little angry and questioned, "What are you doing?!"
"Look to the side for a moment." I saw her eyes close in despair, and her tone sounded a little heartbroken.
As the woman in red looked at me with a puzzled expression, I raised my glass and nodded to them, "Are you two talking about me?"
They didn't pay any attention to what I said and fled with a look of fear.
I looked at their flustered backs, and surprisingly, I didn't hold back and just laughed out loud.
This is something I did not expect at all.
What intrigued me a bit more, however, was their conversation.
It seemed that there was more to me and Rafael than what I knew. What made them think that our relationship wasn't good enough?
Of course, no one seems to be able to answer my question.
I continued to wander around the venue, walked over to a table with desserts, and picked up a piece without much concern.
At this time, a waiter handed a dishcloth to me.
I was certainly grateful for his thoughtfulness, but after saying thank you, I heard something else.
"Who the hell is she? Hasn't she ever been to a party like this before? Or did she sneak in from outside?"
"What rudeness, to move that food."
"My God, keep your voices down, in case the other side hears you, you'll get in trouble, this kind of person is not easy to mess with at first glance."
"Honey, you're too worried, aren't you?"
I did not feel anything wrong, on the contrary, I deliberately looked at them and took a big bite in front of them.
I know that most of the people who come to such parties are here to talk business, and even if they are not here to talk business, some people will not move these desserts to make themselves look presentable.
But, at best, I'm here to do Rafael a favor, and I'm not in any mood to accompany these ladies and wives to keep modesty. What's more, I didn't feel like I was eating too indecently.
After seeing my provocation, the faces of those people became a little ugly. They naturally will not continue to pay attention to me, because I know very well that no one wants to cause more trouble in this place.
I let out a soft laugh and turned away to continue enjoying the food here.
After I turned away, a comment floated into my ears.
The man deliberately made his voice loud, as if he was afraid that no one would hear him: "Is this Mr. Hill's woman?"
By this time, I had finished eating my food. I turned around just in time to see a woman who was blocking the man from continuing.
Of course, the one who was blocked had a very disdainful expression.
I looked at her, took a slow sip of the red wine in my hand, and then said, "Yes, but I suppose you could just call me Mrs. Hill, and then you wouldn't look as rude as you do now."
The woman narrowed her eyes, and then, she walked toward me.