Her Fake Lover

Chapter 17

Mr. Piers had sat opposite Emmeline. His eyes were calming. His smile smiled lightly, adorning his wrinkled old face, which implied wisdom, the result of decades of life experience. He asked, "What is it, my dear? What did you call me for? I hope what you are about to tell me is a good thing."

Mr. Piers, is not an employee who just comes and goes to Emmeline's company every day for work. He dedicated his life there. He gave thorough attention to the company, and also to Emmeline. He had considered Emmeline like his own daughter, moreover he was an unmarried person, and had no children.

His only family left was his cousin, and that had died two years earlier. Mr. Piers devoted his utmost affection to Emmeline.

To Vincenzo and Emmeline, Mr. Piers would not think twice about doing anything to protect their dreams.

"What if it turns out to be about something unpleasant, Mr. Piers?" Emily said.

Mr. Piers' face instantly dimmed.

"I certainly wouldn't like it then. But I've found a part of my life filled with bad news, Emmy. Like any human being. Say it. I'm listening to you."

"It's about the rumors being spread by irresponsible people saying that we are bankrupt. Also about the incitement being spread among the miners not to sell us diamonds. I heard all of this from Chloe. A piece of news you haven't told me, Mr. Piers."

"Oh," Mr. Piers chimed in with a sigh. He withdrew his gaze from Emmeline in an instant, and his expression briefly became thoughtful. "Not that I meant to hide it from you, Miss Karfis. But I thought, I still have to confirm the truth of this news first. I don't want to burden you with something that is not certain. I'm sorry if you feel my actions are not right."

"Forget about it, Mr. Piers. I appreciate all your good intentions towards me. Can you tell me where did you hear the news?"

Mr. Piers swallowed heavily for a moment. "I heard it from the mining companies. Some insider told me."

"They, told you all this?" Emmeline widened her eyes.

Mr. Piers nodded.

"Then it's serious, Mr. Piers."

"You calm down. Because the truth is, they still don't believe any of this," said Mr. Piers. "The supply of diamonds for our jewelry is still stable. Sales in the market continue to increase. Those people from mining companies are not stupid, Emmy. What do they need to worry about anyway, because while they get money from the diamonds they sell to us, then it doesn't matter to them."

Emmeline looked worried. "Are they also sabotaging delivery attempts?"

Mr. Piers looked taken aback, and retracted his head with furrowed brows. "What's this, Dear? You're thinking too much. Did you hear from your subordinates there was a problem with the supply of diamonds? Did you hear about it recently? How could you think that way?"

"But didn't shipping sabotage happen while Vincenzo was still alive, Mr. Piers?" Emmeline said, referring to a problem in the past.

"Ah," Mr. Piers sighed. "I bet Vin didn't even tell you."

"He didn't say it. But that doesn't mean I didn't know it didn't happen. Vin was just trying to hide it from me because he didn't want to make me worry. I was just a young girl to him at the time. He's afraid I would fall mentally."

Mr. Piers heaved a long sigh. His gaze wandered, remembering the events of the past.

"And so did you, Mr. Piers. You said everything was fine when I repeatedly asked you that time, until I was tired of asking. But have you forgotten that I also have other employees? You were more supportive of Vin's actions to hide it from me, back then. "

"That's because the problem that occurred back then wasn't a big deal. Vincenzo could handle it. That's why he thought there was no need to tell you."

"But now, there's no Vincenzo anymore," sighed Emmeline sadly. Half of her soul seemed to float from talking about Vincenzo that morning. "Why am I now more afraid of the evil intentions themselves, of those irresponsible people, than of thinking about what they can do," said Emmeline, going back to their problem. "Now, I have to deal with it myself, Mr. Piers. Is it possible, they are the same people who had harassed us at the beginning of Karfis & Vin's existence? In the time when Vin was still alive?"

Mr. Piers looked thoughtful. His expression was serious, and Emmeline saw that it was a little complicated.

"Mr. Piers?" said Emily.

"Er—none of us knows, My Dear. No one knows who's making such a bad attempt on us at this point," said Mr. Piers. He looked away from Emmeline then seemed to think.

“Hh,” Emmeline sighed as she looked down at the table. "I will form a team to investigate this."

Mr. Piers looked at her for a moment, then nodded his head as Emmeline seemed to ask his opinion through her eyes. "I'm sure everything will be fine, Dear," he said later. "Oh, how about ... the case of the missing emerald ring at the exhibition site? I learned from Chloe that you called the girl's brother—I mean Anna's brother—here, yesterday?"

Emmeline widened her eyes for a moment, as soon as Mr. Piers started discussing the matter. "Oh, y-yes, Mr. Piers. His name is Corbin Valsecchi."

"Oh?" Mr. Piers replied.

"Yes. Why? Are you surprised by the name Valsecchi on the back? Similar to Vin?" Emmeline chuckled. "I felt my heart flutter when I heard the last names of the two siblings, Corbin Valsecchi and Anna—um, Anna's full name is Annaliese Valsecchi. I immediately thought of the late Vincenzo Valsecchi." Emmy smiled again. "But it's just a coincidence, Mr. Piers. As you know, Vincenzo is just like you. He doesn't have anyone else in this world. You and him are like two people that God brought together to accompany each other. Oh—but that was of course before you met me. Because I became a part of you after that." Emmeline chuckled again. Looks cheerful and happy. Mr. Piers, smiled at her.

"Um ... may I know where ... Corbin and Anna are from? I heard they are from Italy."

"Yes. They're from Brilfaxa."

Mr. Piers straightened his back. "Bril—Brilfaxa?" he repeated.

"Yes, Mr. Piers." Emmeline's gaze lingered for a moment. She remembered Corbin's whispers last night over the phone.

Mr. Piers' fingers seemed to be tapping on the table.

"Um—then? Did you, ask them to replace the emerald ring?" asked Mr. Piers.

The rest of the smile on Emmeline's face faded in an instant. Then she looked awkward. "Er—em—no. We had another agreement. But—but you can take it easy. The matter is over. You don't have to worry about it." Emmeline stammered a little.

Mr. Piers seemed to frown again. His fingers tapped on the table again.

"Um—is—is that guy named Corbin still in France?"

Emmeline seemed to think for a moment. She remembered what she had said last night to Corbin that she had freed the man, and he was free to return to his country if he wished.

"I don't know, Mr. Piers. Em ... but his aunt just got out of the hospital when he was about to come here. And he ... loves her very much. I don't know, maybe he'll come straight home, to look after his aunt. I don't know. Em—the discussion between us is over."

"Aunt?" repeated Mr. Piers.

"Yes. Corbin and Anna, they're orphans. The one who replaced the role of parents for them after their parents died was their aunt. Aunt Aude Altieri, Corbin said. That's why Corbin and Anna are very close to their aunt. Moreover, their aunt is also alone in Brilfaxa, because she is a widow."

Mr. Piers, straighten his back once more.

***