Chapter Three

Peter’s voice was so loud that it caught the attention of the others. James shot him a look from behind, showing his distress over the whole thing. He didn’t come downstairs to his dear old dad like the rest of us. James’s office is at the very top of the building, while Jack’s is on the 30th floor. It’s so strange! I am trying to remember his office being there before. James is a character at the firm. He tends to avoid direct interaction. He has a distinctive accent when assigning tasks to his subordinates, as if he is superior to us. However, he switches to his native accent when he talks to Jack, which is a little disingenuous. He’s just another one of those rich kids. Strangely, he didn’t come downstairs, but it didn’t matter.

James has a style all his own, and it’s, unfortunately, unique! He switches between Louis Vuitton and Gucci every week to keep things fresh! I deserve that same privilege, but as fate would have it, it was taken away from me long ago. James was just eleven years old at the time. He was old enough to understand what was going on at that time. Jack was unfaithful, and James knew it. He just stayed behind with Jack in our vast mansion. Jack had a bit of a temper. Not surprisingly, James also has a bit of a temper. People often say that the two of them are the same person.
Jack had a deep, tanned complexion and beautiful dark red hair. James’ hair is a bit darker, probably because of our lovely mum! I’m not into looking at my reflection because it makes me think of my former father. My hair is a gorgeous dark reddish but considerably longer than his. He’s taller than I. I’ve even got his pointed nose and dark green eyes! At first glance, you might think I’m his little girl who got lost along the way, and I would never blame you! I was that girl, after all. But I’ve kept my true identity hidden since joining his firm to get back at him.
Oh, and there’s more! Based on a DNA test, his sister said I’m not his daughter, but I am truthfully his daughter. Aunt Shirley faked it. At the time, my mom wasn’t entitled to any special treatment after the divorce. Shirley even warned her not to bother hiring a lawyer. Despite this word of caution and the lack of money, my mom was so set on keeping her marriage and firstborn child (my elder brother) together that she went ahead anyway. She had a tough time finding a good lawyer to help her defend herself against the allegations of infidelity. Jack eventually left us, my mother and I. From what I’ve heard, my mom is the one who’s supposed to keep me. Jack becomes James’ only official guardian. He undoubtedly had the court on his side. Joyce, my mother, lost everything: her dignity, her marriage, her son, and the assets that were to be allocated to her following a divorce. It was just so sad! So, she started a new life with her three-year-old daughter, me. If I could forget the day we left the grand mansion with the magnificent garden, I’d be able to move on. But I just can’t.