Chapter 98 First meeting

(Raphael's POV)
I had no reason to reject Lena, but, out of selfishness, I didn't want Lena to have any more interaction with her father.
Lester is approaching Lena now, obviously with his agenda, and there is a good chance that Lena will be hurt by Lester again.
Lena is a kind girl, and if Lester asks for her help, Lena will most likely not refuse.
Although these are Lena's choices, there is nothing I can do to stop her.
I withdrew my eyes and did not speak.
"Rafael?" Lena seemed a little worried, she probably didn't know exactly what I was thinking, and there didn't seem to be any way for me to tell her what I was thinking.
"Rafael, it won't take long, I'll be back soon, I promise you."
I looked to Lena and, eventually, lost to her gaze.
I nodded and agreed with Lena.
After we got back, Landon called me over on the phone.
"Mr. Raphael, Mr. William has not had his movements lately, however, the detective sent a message telling me that he has also been closer to some women lately."
I have long since ceased to care about William's whereabouts, and he does not pose a threat to me. However, what Landon said still aroused my interest.
William has always been a person who does not have much interaction with women, those who have other plans in mind seem to simply brow-headed approach him.
Moreover, for so many years, William has always loved only Lena, it is unlikely that he would change his mind so quickly.
My brow furrowed, then I said, "Did you find out the identity of that woman?"
Landon replied, "Already found out, Mr. Raphael, I'm sending you her information now."
A minute later, I got an email on my computer.
This email was just sent by Landon.
The moment I opened the email, my pupils tightened and clenched.
If this woman's identity was more ordinary, I would not have reacted this way, but this woman's identity is too special.
It was Mary Lester - Lena's sister.
My brow furrowed as I reached out and gently stroked my chin, wondering what the hell William could have to do with her.
Until this time, I didn't realize that I still didn't know much about Lena's family.
I only knew about the Lester family, knew that Lena had been badly hurt by her father, that her sister hadn't treated her well, and that Lena had suffered a lot of blows. However, the reason for this I do not understand.
If it is only because of the special status of Lena, then everything becomes too far-fetched.
"Mr. Rafael?" Landon's voice came over the phone.
"Landon, you've been given a new assignment."
"Okay."
I asked Landon to look into everyone in the Lester family, including Lena's mother, who had passed away, and her father.
There must have been other ear things that happened, but, this thing Lena did not know.
I want to investigate everything, and only then can I help Lena get rid of her father once and for all.
(Lina's POV)
I can't believe that I still managed to convince Raphael.
Rafael promised me that I could go see my father, but I didn't feel so happy.
I know that a lot more must have happened during the three years that I lost my memory, and I understand very well what kind of attitude my father had towards me.
But I had to choose to meet with him.
Only then could I untie the knot that I once had in my heart.
I have always felt guilty for the death of my mother.
And because of that, I was much more tolerant of my father, and at the same time, I learned to put up with Mary and my stepmother's spite. All to make up for the guilt I felt.
Before I went out, Rafael didn't say anything to me, he just reminded me to be safe.
I know that this matter can only be solved by me.
I arrived at the agreed location with my father, and he had already arrived.
The moment I saw him, I once again felt the tension.
"Sit down first." His tone was very calm, "What would you like to drink?"
I waved my hand, "No, I don't need to, what exactly is it that you want from me."
"You are my daughter."
My father did not answer my question, but what he said made me feel some irony.
I didn't know what kind of attitude to put on.
However, there was only one thought in my mind, and that was that I had long since stopped thinking of him as my father.
Once I heard the words he said, I realized it was an elaborate scam for me.
I gave a soft laugh, then, I looked at my father, "In that case, Dad, you can just say what you think, after all, I never guessed what you thought."
He looked up at me.
I still felt intimidated the moment he looked at me, but I forced myself to look at him.
My father said softly, "Lena, we haven't seen each other for a long time, and I didn't have a chance to say much to you that time at the launch, so you can stop being so guarded about me."
I feel like I don't have the strength to continue listening.
"Dad, I'm sorry," I said, withdrawing my gaze, but my tone was perhaps not as sincere.
"You still don't listen to me at all, just like before."
He looked at me and shook his head.
The waiter put the drinks in front of me, which allowed me to enjoy a little quiet time.
After the waiter left, my father continued, "Lena, I've been very sad since your mother left."
I took a deep breath.
Sure enough, we still have to mention this.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
"Lena, I wish I could have kept you with me, but I was just too sad during that time." The father's tone sounded very sad.
But he is not the only one who feels sad.
After I learned that my mother died in childbirth because she gave birth to me, I often felt guilty too.
I wish my mother had never given birth to me.
I wish everything could go back to the beginning, at that time, there was someone who could change all this.
But these are all beautiful dreams.
All are impossible fantasies.
I jerked my head up and held back the tears in my eyes again, then I looked at my father, a man who already had gray hair and looked ten years older, and I looked at him and said softly, "Dad, what can I do for you? I know that the death of my mother has hit you hard, but surely she would have preferred that we could live well, wouldn't she?"
My father said nothing, and he nodded gently.
When I didn't come to New York, I often had dreams.
I would dream that my mother had not died and that we were living together as a family, although the days were very ordinary, but still very happy.
But the reality is far harsher than my dreams.
My father didn't like me, and my mother had long since died, and I even waited almost ten years for my father to treat me that way.
It all came too late and seemed to have no value anymore.
I thought I would shed tears after I heard my father's words, but in reality, I didn't think anything except that I was touched inside.
I didn't know what to say, but right now, I really shouldn't stay silent. So, I said, "Dad, how have you been?"
"No, Lena, I'm awful."
My father looked up, and he looked at me with those old eyes
I didn't know what to say.
I didn't think he was in a very bad situation, but my father went on, "Lena, Mary should get married, but by now, she doesn't have a suitable person and barring that, my company is having a little problem right now, Lena, I don't know what I should do."
My brow furrowed.
As much as I would like to help my father, I am not in a position to help him.
"Dad, I'm sorry to hear that."
My father sighed, and then, he looked at me, "Lena, can you help me? I can't think of anyone else who can help me except you."
My brow furrowed, "Dad, I don't know how I can help you, if you want to ask me to borrow money, I can give you all my savings, it's the only thing I can do."
"No, Lena, I know, you have your difficulties, but there is someone else who can help."
My heart suddenly missed a beat.
I had an unsettling feeling that a look of greed had flashed across my father's face for a moment.
My eyes narrowed and then, I heard my father say, "Raphael, Lena, you can ask Raphael for help, and he'll say yes if you ask."
I sat upright the whole time, I listened to him very carefully, and when I thought he would change, I didn't expect the same result.
My shoulders relaxed, and then, my whole body leaned back.
Seeing that I did not respond to his words, he continued, "Lena, I know that Rafael likes you very much, when he came to me and talked to me a lot, I know his feelings for you, that's why I agreed to let you get married, Lena, you should have returned the favor a long time ago."
I looked at my father.
I admit that my father and I still have a lot of similarities in our looks.
But now I feel a deep disgust for it.
I gave a soft laugh and then looked at my father, my tone was not rippled: "Dad, at least give me some time, this kind of thing, I still need to discuss with Rafael."
My father smiled with satisfaction.