Chapter 498: No Reason to Doubt

Ian was livid. He knew what Cam was doing, and he knew it would work. He called his cousin, who literally laughed into the phone when he answered it. Cameron had used his position to block Ian from getting any information about Mina, and he lifted it the moment Ian's car got to the gate of his Mansion. It left Ian with just a few minutes to scramble to have everything removed before Mina could see what had been written about her.

"Do you know what you have done?" he asked.

"I only did to you what you have been doing to our parents for the last two months. I have been wondering why Uncle Lucas has not come back to kick your ass, but it's because you have him in the dark; just like you had me."

"Cam, we aren't supposed to use those blocks to harm one another." In the eyes of the Lee family, Cameron and Ian moved as equals because both descended from the main family branch. Ian managed the money, and Cameron managed the laws that kept it. In truth, Ian held a bit more value than his cousin, but only because he was born to the first son of the first son, while his cousin was born to the first daughter.

The two were always at each other's throats growing up, because at that time, it was not clear who would take on what role, but when they got older, it became clear that Ian was unsuited for politics, while Cameron was perfect for it. As for who wielded more power, it was Ian, but to keep the peace between the family lines, those who held the presidential title were able to do most of the same things Ian could do. However, there was a way Ian could make it so that all his cousin's actions had to be approved through him. It was put into the family laws after the failed healthy child initiative and used as a method to keep something like that from plaguing the family again, but now Ian was tempted to use it over a woman.

"Did I do something wrong? I just wanted my little cousin to make the most of his trip. I mean, your time is extremely limited." Ian's temper flared because he knew his time was beyond limited, it was up.

"What will my parents think?"

"They will not think anything. I kept it blocked from them, but I must say; you have good taste in women. Mina is… I mean I can now see why you couldn't keep your hands to yourself." Cameron cut off his words and Ian threw a pen across the room.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing. This is just payback for punching me, but I do wonder what Lisa is going to think." Ian's eyes went wide. He had forgotten all about Lisa. He hung up on his laughing cousin and called her.

"You humiliated me Ian." She said into the phone as a greeting. "You must not care about me at all. I was okay with you two living together but a vacation? If you want me to die, just say so." Lisa hung up the phone without giving Ian a chance to reply, but he swallowed his pride and called her back. It was for Mina's safety, not his.

"Ignore everything and everyone. None of those photos are how they appear; you can ask Mina herself. Cameron is targeting me." Lisa sat up, she was fully committed to the pitiful act, but she suddenly became afraid. She had not forgotten about being suspected of trying to sabotage the president, but she had become preoccupied with other things.

"Ian, I promise I didn't touch that drink. Really think about it, what would I have to gain?" Ian did not need Lisa to say what she was saying, it was already obvious, but since she had misunderstood, he would continue with the misunderstanding.

"If I make him think Mina is more important to me, then he will leave you alone." Ian could not believe the lie he just told, but he needed to protect Mina, while preserving Lisa's feelings. "I had no idea we were being followed, and the photos of her and I in the water is because she almost drowned. I pulled her up and helped her." Lisa nodded, forgetting that she was on the phone.

"Do you believe me about the drink?" She asked, because truly that was all that mattered. She had plans for Mina, plans Ian would not like, but since she had already been framed, she would just point the finger at that person again.

"Of course I do. Like you said, it would not make sense. In the meantime, keep a low profile, just go to work, and go home, okay?" Lisa agreed before hanging up and for the first time in the week, she left her bedroom with a smile on her face and went straight to her brother's home office.

"Did he finally return your calls?"

"He did, and he said he is using Mina to take the suspicion off me." Kace looked at his sister with pity.

"And you believe him?"

"I have no reason to doubt him. Why would he have called? It's not like he would gain anything from marrying me." Lisa did have a point, and Kace was mildly relieved. He had been the one to arrange the spiked drink, but he did not know the nation's leader would be there, and he just wanted to show his sister that she would be the first thrust into suspicion, but he failed, and he was beginning to think Ian Lee had played him against Lisa for no reason.

"Well, stay focused on the studio. Whatever it is that he asked you to do, make sure you follow it." Lisa walked out of her brother's office and went to his bedroom, where Charlotte was furiously cleaning an already clean room. She laughed, stopping the woman from hurting herself before asking her to visit their studio.

----

Mina was uncomfortable with what was going on. She did not know what it was, but she believed President Lee, but then again, she did not trust him enough to go against Willow and Cylus. She was currently sitting in the Rouge headquarters meeting with a few representatives from a sportswear line. Mr. Eric handled everything and all she had to do was sign on the dotted line. She was then ushered to where she had taken photos with Cylus and before she knew it, the shoot was over.

"Why do you look so worried? We aren't doing anything wrong, and I made sure your body is fully covered."

"I'm just scared this will backfire on me," Mina added, and Cylus rubbed her arm affectionately.

"I cannot protect you from both of them, but if we work together, we can make it harder for them to hurt you." Mina nodded and forced a smile onto her face. "Come, let me show you what I have been working on."

Mina changed and followed Cylus to an area of the headquarters he had not shown her before. She scanned the room that was lined with dozens of unfinished dresses, but one of them caught her attention, and it made Cylus smile. "That one is for your coming out party." Mina beamed looking between the dress and Cylus with a genuine smile on her face. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, it looks like the one your grand-"

"Our grandmother," Cylus corrected, and Mina frowned. It was not that she did not want to be related to the man, but it made her think of how much different her life could have been if she were his legitimate sister, and they did not have to guess or hide it. "I spoke to my mother. She knew your father." Mina's head jerked toward Cylus who wore an uneasy smile.

"Do you think she knows who I am?"