Chapter 11

Her father definitely taught her well - Alisha Mehta was a woman who wasn't going to bend down for anyone. She was a force to be reckoned with, her tongue used to the expensive taste of success at a very young age. Many thought that she did not deserve to continue her father's legacy but her sharp wit and love for a good challenge almost always proved them wrong. The same people who doubted her now worshipped the ground she walked on. 

In her office, just as her dusky skin glowed in the crystal sunlight sweeping in through the glass windows, Ezekiel could see she was raised to be sophisticated in all situations. The slim watch around her wrist, the crispness of her minimalistic black and white outfit and the elegance of her posture - an image that promised power with an undertone of danger. 

"Drinks?" She asked, settling down in a chair in front of them when they shook their head in negative. 

"So," She said, eyes bored but a calculating smirk painted across her pink lips, "To what do I owe this pleasure of Mr Jiang's visit?"

She had blatantly ignored the presence of everyone else but him, irritating Ezekiel a little. She was good in business but just like the rumours about her, her manners were terrible. Thankfully, Ezekiel knew how to deal with people like her. 

"I believe the pleasure will be reserved to your father, I prefer to talk only with him," He replied coolly. Alisha's expression did not change even after the subtle insult he had directed to her.

"Papa's enjoying a nice vacation in the Bahamas with my mother," Alisha said amusedly, "I'll have to trouble you to talk with me, it seems."

"Besides," Her eyes flickered towards the women sitting on his left, "I'm curious what Rosalina Carson's granddaughters and the heir of the Jiang family have in common."

They did not even flinch when she recognized them. Ezekiel had expected that after the entire scandal with Jamie - people were bound to wonder who was behind it. What he did not understand was why Alisha referred to them as Rosalina's granddaughters and not Benjamin Pierce's daughters even if she wasn't supposed to know about the latter either. 

"You knew my grandmother," Irene mirrored his thoughts though she did not say it like a question. 

"My father did," Alisha replied casually, leaning back on her chair. "He had helped her a few times when she was new to the business world. He was one of the only few people who knew that the two of you," Her gaze flicked to Genevieve before fixating themselves on Irene's. "were Rosalina's grandchildren. He's been keeping tabs on your activities since she died."

"Then you must know why we're here," Genevieve said, eyeing the woman with suspicion. 

"I can guess," She shrugged, "you probably want answers to your past from my father. Although, I find it strange why the Jiang family is so interested in this despite having a negative role in their story." 

"What do you mean?" Archer asked, eyes narrowed. Ezekiel was confused as well. He found it a little alarming that his family was involved in some ways too. 

A brief look of suspicion flickered on Alisha's face before she masked it completely. She looked sharply at Ezekiel, leaning forward on her chair. 

"Your grandmother hasn't told you?" Her voice was calm, betraying nothing. 

Ezekiel felt himself getting annoyed again. He had barely managed to forget about his grandmother's strange behaviour and it just  had to be brought up again. What was worse, the apparent history of his family was known to outsiders but not him.  The heir. 

Sensing no response from Ezekiel, Alisha clicked her tongue and leant back again, relaxing her posture. "It would be stupid to assume otherwise, frankly. Your past has so many loose ends, dangerous even."

"Stop going around in circles," Irene spoke up suddenly, shocking everyone. She was clearly annoyed, which was very unlike herself. "Everyone's been repeating the same thing but they don't bother to answer our questions. So unless you have one, don't waste our time."

Genevieve squeezed her hand in reassurance, worried for her sister. Ezekiel knew why Irene was worked up but he hadn't expected her to burst. She seemed to be hiding something from them because she had been acting secretive since the morning. 

Alisha gave the eldest Pierce a long, scrutinizing look. Irene did not flinch under her gaze, not even once - which was a first because Alisha Mehta was known to intimidate people with just one glare. It was extremely difficult to not be affected by her. 

Alisha rolled her eyes before sighing in annoyance. "Rosalina Carson and Mei Jiang were best friends. They had grown up together."

"What?" Everyone but Irene spoke in unison. Out of everything else, they hadn't expected that their families were connected in this way. A million different thoughts and doubts emerged in Ezekiel's mind. Mostly, he wondered why his grandmother had never mentioned it to him when he knew almost everyone else who she had met in the course of her life. Although now he realised that he never really knew his grandmother at all. 

But none of it explained how Irene and Genevieve knew about the crown. In fact, the revelation only added another layer of complication. 

As if reading Ezekiel's mind, Alisha said, "According to my father, the two of them never really kept secrets from each other. But something must have gone wrong between them, seeing how neither Rosalina nor Mei told you anything about their relationship. My father said it wasn't anything good."

"Anyway," She clapped her hands together as if she hadn't said anything earlier, "I wonder what would happen if I were to tell Silver Inc.'s CEO that his sister's grandkids are alive."

"Karl came to you?" Irene asked, instantly alarmed. 

"He did, he was looking for information about you two," She said, smirking. "I wasn't available then but I'm sure that he'd contact me again."

"Don't tell him anything," Genevieve warned. 

"That's up to me to decide. If I find him useful, I might as well tell him what he wants." She replied curtly.

"Which reminds me," Alisha's gaze flickered to Ezekiel who instantly knew she was up to no good, "You will owe me a favour."

"Just that? No business?" 

"It's a big thing to be owed by Ezekiel Jiang himself, I'd rather have that than some mere business opportunity." 

Ezekiel had to admit that she was extremely cunning. She knew exactly what buttons to push. 

"Fine," He replied, smirking. When the time came, he knew he was capable enough to turn the tide in his favour. 

"That should conclude our meeting then," She said, "I've got a business to run."

She stood up and shook hands with everyone. Just as they were going outside the room, Alisha stopped Irene. 

"You should tell them what you're thinking, Ms Irene Pierce. You cannot handle your past alone." She said, a small frown on her face. "You know what I am talking about."

Irene nodded before turning around and walking out. Unfortunately for Irene and whatever secret she was trying to hide, Ezekiel had heard it all. And he won't stop before he got the answers he wanted.