Chapter 176: Jealous Boss

Once Mina was back at the Lee mansion, Miss Ruby had Dom help her get comfy on the recliner in the sitting room and Ruby put on a movie for them to watch. It was a romance drama and Mina giggled mockingly the entire duration of the film. She was very good at ruining romantic moments and Miss Ruby was reminded of her daughter, Ellie.

"What is with you young women and your hatred for relationships?" she asked. "You were ready to die in the cold because of one simple misunderstanding, but I can tell that that guard likes you, why not give him a chance?" Mina rolled her eyes. She wanted to tell the woman the truth about why Dom was nice to her, but she knew how much the evil President Lee meant to the old woman, so Mina settled for a realistic answer.

"I will marry whoever my parents want me to," Mina said. It was not a complete lie, if she lived, she would do whatever her parents asked of her.

----

Inside his office, Ian had briefed his sister and friend on the promise he made to Mina, but he did not intend on keeping it. He already knew that Luna would be in favor of Mina moving out, but he was completely blindsided by Zane's betrayal.

"It's probably for the best," Zane said. "Dom obviously has feelings for Mina, and he is probably too afraid to act because no one knows who she is, or why she is staying with you. We should at least give her the chance to live peacefully," Zane said.

"I agree, not about Mina dating Dom, but about allowing her to leave. It would also clear the air between…" Luna cut herself off. She glanced at Zane who looked as though he was about to strangle her.

As per her agreement with Zane, Luna could not advocate on behalf of, mention or defend Lisa in any way while he was around or he would tell her brother about the stunt they pulled in Gespa and its outcome. Luna knew that her brother would not hesitate to squash Shai Cal, which would in turn hurt Lisa and her family. If that were to happen, Lisa and Ian would have wasted ten years of their life on nothing, and Luna did not want the guilt of that.

Ian did not wait for his sister to finish her statement and he was glad she did not.

"Fine," Ian said, "but we have to consider the added expenditures. One, her rent. Mina hasn't worked in years and likely won't be able to work safely. Two, her guard detail. We would have to find a place that could also accommodate at least twelve men to guard her on rotation. Three, her likelihood to flee. We already saw what she is capable of, imagine how far she will go if she is on her own."

"Since when have we started to worry about money?" Luna asked. "Besides, Mina was only pushed that far because you made an assumption and passed it off as fact," Luna said.

"What else was he supposed to think?" Zane asked, he wasn't advocating for Ian, but he had also come to the same assumption.

"You should have asked nan to tell you exactly what Mina wanted her to buy," Luna replied. She turned to face Zane before she finished speaking. "You know that Mina is a shy girl. She turns red from a smile. You should have known better." Zane felt attacked.

"I don't live with her, if I did, she would have all the things she needs and wouldn't have to ask for them, plus she wouldn't have felt the need to run," Zane quipped.

"Are we arguing right now?" Ian asked. Both Luna and Zane settled down. They were at odds, but it had nothing to do with Mina, and more to do with the mounting pressure Luna was feeling about not being able to mention Lisa. "One thing for sure is that until she can walk without pain, she won't be able to go anywhere, so pending that time, Mina will stay put." There was no fault in Ian's logic.

----

When president Lee returned to his mansion, he had someone send for Dom, who he knew was still on duty. When the man entered his study, he questioned him about the bruises on Mina's body. When she was being carried, he saw several of them on her back and the faint hint of green on her arms. He knew the bruises were in various stages of healing and were likely made at different times.

"Mina has been learning a few basic moves from some of us sir," Dom replied.

"So, you're an instructor?" President Lee asked sarcastically. It was then that Dom knew he was in trouble.

Dom recalled the looks he was getting from his boss the first day he came to pick up Mina, and what she had said to him regarding President Lee's attitude. It was clear now that the man was jealous. Wanting to save his own skin, Dom spoke openly.

"Sir, between Mina and I; there is nothing. I admit that she is…" Dom cut his speech off looking for an appropriate word to describe Mina without causing himself to be shipped off to camp. "Mina is 'special,' but she is not the type of woman I am into sir," he said. Ian raised his eyebrows at the insightful man.

"But is she into you?" he asked.

"Not even a little sir," Dom replied.

"Then Jessica?"

"No, sir."

"James?"

"Absolutely not, sir."

"Zane?"

"I am not aware, sir."

"What kind of men does she talk about?" Ian asked.

"She doesn't, she talks about her family sir," Ian reclined in his chair.

"Has she ever said anything about me?" he asked.

"She talks about your girlfriend sir," Dom said. "I do not think the two women get along well," he added. President Lee could tell that the man was holding back, otherwise he would not have brought up Lisa.

"Do you have something to add?" Preside Lee asked Dom.

"May I speak freely sir?"

"You may."

"Miss Lisa has approached several men subtly asking for information regarding Mina. For those of us who know the truth, we have not said a word other than what we have been instructed, but for others." Dom paused in his speech before continuing. "I have personally had to stop people from gossiping about her. Miss Lisa has labelled her as a fraud who is using the Lee family for money. As a result, they blame her for…"

"Blame her for what?" Ian could barely contain his annoyance.

"Bressaw and Samuel sir," Dom added.