Araceli POV
Ramon took one step forward.
I felt nothing but unease.
I whispered, gently, "Krish, take Valeria to the car. Close the door."
I took a deep breath, turned around, and said coldly, "Mr. Fleming, is it?"
I took a few steps to the side, not wanting Krish to hear what I was talking about with this man because I felt in my heart that Ramon was not worthy of being Krish and Valeria's father.
Ramon glanced at Krish and Valeria sitting in the car with mixed emotions in his eyes.
"You know my name. It seems you've looked me up too," Ramon let out a laugh, "You had my kids in secret and kept it from me for five years. You didn't think I would come looking for you, did you?"
I sneered, "Mr. Fleming, who told you Krish and Valeria were your children?"
"I'll take the kids to get a paternity test and find out." Ramon lit a cigarette. "When I get the paternity test report, I'll get custody of Krish and Valeria. They're my kids!"
He pointed at my face and said it word for word, glaring at me angrily.
My face was as cold as frost.
Once Ramon got the paternity report, he would definitely sue me in court.
I pursed my lips and said, word for word, "You can try. I won't be afraid of you."
Ramon's face went cold, too. "You're not afraid to get into a lawsuit, huh? Fine, I suggest you find a professional lawyer as soon as possible."
After he finished, he threw his cigarette on the ground, turned around and left.
I was so angry that I clenched my fists.
Ramon was so aggressive, so I must not sit back and wait.
After I calmed down, I turned around, pulled open the car door and got into the car.
I had just fastened my seat belt when Krish's voice rang out from the back seat.
"Mommy, who was that man just now?"
My hand paused for a moment, and I said with carelessness, "A business partner. Nothing to care about."
Krish pursed his lips and said, "But he claimed to be my and Valeria's father."
My heart skipped a beat.
I quickly thought of something to say and said calmly, "He has liked me for a long time and is one of my suitors. Krish, remember what this man looks like. In the future, when you see this man, you have to stay away from him. Don't ever say a word to him."
I sighed inwardly.
If their father had been an honorable man, I would never have done this.
Ramon did not deserve to be a husband and a father, much less to be in the presence of my children. Even if Krish and Valeria needed a father's love more, I would not compromise by allowing such a morally corrupt man to be in my children's lives.
...
The next morning.
The day dawned late in the fall. When I got up, it was 7:30 am.
The room was dimly lit. After I pulled the curtains open, the thin daylight came in.
I stood on the balcony, thought about it, and decided to get a lawyer first. There was no way I was going to admit defeat.
I took a deep breath of the cold late autumn air and began to wash up.
Krish and Valeria were already up when I came downstairs, and Krish was brushing Valeria's hair.
I smiled gently, "Krish, what would you like to eat?"
Krish thought for a moment and said, "Sandwich."
I stroked Krish's head and suddenly felt a pang of unease in my heart.
If Krish and Valeria were taken away by Ramon, everything I relied on to live would be taken away from me...
After we finished eating, I sent Krish and Valeria to daycare, and I drove to Silver Group's office building.
After Silver Group's smart products were launched, they received high praise from the market. Countless companies came to talk about cooperation. Today, everyone in the company was busy, and Silver Group's stock price was slowly growing, making it one of the most promising stocks in the stock market.
I had exclusive rights to technology, so I got a lot of dividends during this period.
I walked straight into the lobby and took the elevator to the top floor. I had just gotten off the elevator when I saw my cousin, Evelin Felton.
"Araceli?"
Evelin came out of the other elevator and saw me. She sneers, glances at me, and walks up to me.
"Araceli, I heard you recently hooked up with Mr. Raphael of the Royal Group. I can't believe you have time to come to Silver Group!"
I looked at Evelin coldly.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't pretend. Everyone knows about Raphael hugging you out of the cruise party the night before last!" Evelin rolled her eyes. "All the women in New York want to marry Raphael! Araceli, you are so 'attractive' to get him."
I sneered, "All the women in New York? So, Evelin, do you want to marry Raphael too? Aren't you already married? Do your son and husband know that you want to marry Raphael?"
Evelin's face suddenly turned livid.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Why?" I giggled, "Since you like him, you should let everyone know, shouldn't you? Gosh, Evelin, all these years, so you've been suppressing your feelings... But, Evelin, I'm sorry to tell you that Mr. Lancaster probably won't even look at you. It seems that all your years of love for him have been in vain..."
Evelin's face turned red with anger.
I glanced at Evelin with contempt and walked into Eliezer's office.
I didn't care about the gossip. What they said didn't hurt me at all.
I lived my life. What did it matter to them? Why should I care what people think of me?
After all I'd been through, I'd long since stopped caring about this crap.
"Araceli?"
Eliezer stood up with some surprise and poured me a glass of water.
I sat down on the couch and casually asked a few questions about the product, and then I pretended not to mean to ask, "Eliezer, when I talked to you earlier, I think you said you had a friend who owned a law firm."
Eliezer nodded. "Yes. His law firm is called Lexie & Associates Law Firm, and it's pretty well known in New York, but he's just a partner. Araceli, what's up? Do you need legal advice?"
"I'd like to hire a legal advisor for my company. Eliezer, would you introduce me to your friend?"
I bowed my head and took a sip of water.
I didn't want the people at Silver Fang to know about Ramon's attempt to take custody of Krish and Valeria for the time being.
Veronica was older, so I didn't want Veronica to have to worry about this for me anymore.
Eliezer mused for a moment and said, "He's one of the founders of Lexie & Associates Law Firm and is the most highly qualified attorney. Maybe I can call and ask if he has time to meet with you."
I smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Eliezer."
Eliezer tapped on his phone and dialed a number.
"Lexie, how have you been? Have you been busy?"
I had no idea what was said on the phone and only saw Eliezer raise his eyebrows slightly.
"What? The Fleming Group actually wants you as an attorney advisor too..."
My heart fluttered.
I didn't hold back and asked, "Eliezer, may I ask if this client of his is named 'Ramon Fleming'?"
Eliezer nodded, asked Lexie, and then turned to me and said, "Araceli, he said yes."