REBIRTH : Chasing The Limelight-Chapter 58: In simple terms... she’s not his granddaughter.

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: In simple terms... she’s not his granddaughter.

"I have something else," Elara said while everyone turned to her again. She held her breath for few seconds in hesitation.

Well he had forced her to do this. It’s his fault for being so shameless.

She put her hand in her pants pocket and took out her phone. She then looked at Mrs Han. "The day he called me into his office, I had a bad feeling. So... I turned on my recorder before I went in." She said and placed the phone gently on the table. "I didn’t plan all these, I just wanted to be careful and... safe." She added.

She tapped the play button and at once, the room fell silent.

It was a man’s clear voice that came out first. And undoubtedly, everyone knew whom it belonged to.

"Private lessons after hours. Just the two of us. I can push you to grade four very quickly... if you cooperate."

Then Elara’s voice followed calmly even at such a time. "I don’t need that kind of help."

The phone went silent for few seconds then Mr Kain’s voice came again. "Why are you playing hard to get? Most top stars did something to rise in this industry. Don’t act superior."

The recording stopped and Mr Kain’s face went pale. Elara picked up her phone again, not saying anything. She only looked at Mrs Han.

The air in the room suddenly became tense.

The three staff members began to murmur quietly among themselves. Their voices were low, but it was very clear as to what they are whispering about.

Mr Kain glared at them and then suddenly stood up. "She’s lying! That recording... I don’t know what that is. I don’t know when she... she’s trying to frame me. Anyone can edit something like that. Anyone—"

"Mr Kain," Mrs Han said for the umpteenth time. "Why are you being restless?"

He froze for a second, then, he sat back down slowly. He adjusted his jacket, trying to regain control, but his fingers were shaky. He looked down at the table, then at Elara.

As if he suddenly remembered something important, he quickly cleared his throat. "Before this proceeds any further, there is something Mr Vale and Mrs Han should know." He said slowly.

Mrs Han frowned a bit and looked at him. Mr Kain also fixed his gaze on her. "It concerns the validity of her position here... As a Vale-sponsored trainee."

Elara raised her head, a cold feeling already spreading in her chest.

Mr Kain continued calmly, almost like he was stating a simple fact. "Her grandfather, the man who raised her, has a criminal record. He was convicted of theft and he served fourteen months in Crelou’s correctional facility."

Elara’s fingers dug into her palm as she stared at him.

"She did not disclose this when the Vales granted her sponsorship. And as we all know, the agreement clearly states that if an immediate family member has a criminal record, the sponsorship should be withdrawn." He said, then he turn to look at Elara. "The Vales should know who they are investing in. I can provide all the documents of the evidence if needed."

Elara drew in a cold breath. Even though she had heard this from him before, hearing it again still made anger and confusion twist in her chest.

She did not know if she was more angry at Mr Kain... or at the possibility that everything might be true. But one thing was very clear. She hated the way he said it.

As if her grandfather was nothing but a tool.

She lowered her gaze, staring at the table. Or rather, at nothing in particular.

Across from her, Adrian’s gaze rested on her for a brief moment. Then he looked away.

Elara lifted her head again. "My grandfather raised me alone... from when I was an infant. With nothing except what he grew in his garden."

She paused.

"Whatever is in his past... is his story. Not mine." Her eyes moved to Mr Kain. "And certainly not yours." Then she looked at Mrs Han. "This has nothing to do with what happened in that corridor. Or in his office. Or with Perri."

She stopped when she saw that Mrs Han was already shaking her head, as if trying to process everything at once. Before she could speak, Adrian suddenly did.

"You just used an old man’s past as a weapon in a meeting that exists because of your own actions, aren’t you indirectly admitting that all what she said about you were true "

He paused for a few seconds. "I think everyone in this room understands what is happening."

No one spoke, but no one disagreed either.

Mrs Han looked around the room with an uncertain expression, but she made her decision anyway. "Regarding Elara’s background... that will be left to the Vale family." She said and turned to Adrian, who nodded in approval.

Then she looked at Mr Kain. "As for this matter... based on everything we have seen and heard, it is clear who is at fault."

Mr Kain’s jaw clenched tightly as she continued.

"You will be suspended for now, and we will investigate further, including other possible cases." She said and stood up, turning to Adrian.

Adrian gave another small nod. Mrs Han bowed her head respectfully before leaving the room. As she passed Elara, her gaze lingered for a brief moment before she walked out. The three other staff followed.

Mr. Kain stood up last. He did not hide the look of hatred in his eyes as he walked past Elara.

Soon the door closed, and now, only two people remained in the room.

Elara... and Adrian.

They both stayed seated, neither of them speaking. After a while, Elara finally broke the silence. She did not talk directly to him. Just to the room.

"I didn’t know," she said quietly with a pause. "About my grandpa." She added.

Adrian did not reply, so she looked at him. He was already looking at her. His expression was cold, but the cold did not seem to be directed at her.

Then he stood up and straightened his jacket. "This matter... is for another day." He said calmly, and just like that, he turned and walked out.

Elara watched his departing back. Something warm spread in her chest and a small smile appeared on her lips without her noticing. When she did notice, she quickly wiped it away, wondering why she did so.

After a few seconds, she stood up too. Her back felt stiff from sitting too long. She stretched a bit, trying to ease the tension.

Her mood had suddenly improved a bit.

But then she remembered the words Mr Kain had said. She let out a quiet sigh.

"I hope the Vales wouldn’t be too harsh..." she murmured softly...

–

Harris stood in front of Adrian’s desk holding a file in his hands.

At this point, he was very sure of one thing.

His job had changed.

It was no longer ’assistant to Adrian Vale.’ It was now ’full-time investigator of a lady called Elara.’

Elara this. Elara that. Elara again.

He was tired. If not for the food Miss Relanie occasionally brought for him, he would have resigned long ago without any hesitation.

He cleared his throat and continued his report. "Though everything Mr Kain said is true–"

Harris stopped, but Adrian did not react. Just as he had expected. He was not surprised. If Adrian ever reacted normally, that would be the real problem.

"There’s something missing." Harris added.

Adrian rested his knuckles against his chin, still looking at the file in front of him. He didn’t speak, but Harris knew that meant: continue.

"From what I found, the situation is not simple. There are reports suggesting the old man may have taken the blame for someone else."

He paused.

"Most likely his wife. She died shortly after that."

Still no reaction.

Harris almost laughed. At this rate, even if he said the sky was falling, his boss might just nod and ask for proof.

He continued anyway. "There’s something else."

Adrian gave a small nod, signifying for him to continue.

"In the records, Elara is his granddaughter. But the man had no children. No son or daughter. And there is no record of adoption either."

"In simple terms... she is not his real granddaughter."

Even, that part even made Harris feel a little curious.

Who exactly was she then? She couldn’t possibly have fell from the heaven, like the goddess in Aurelia’s folktale.

Adrian’s expression did not look surprised or even interested. He only spoke calmly. "Find out everything."

Harris already felt a headache coming. At this stage, how is he different from an Inspector Police.

Then Adrian added. "Her real parents. Her background. How she ended up with that man."

Harris closed his eyes for a long second.

Of course. Of course it had to be everything.

He took a slow breath, opened his eyes, and nodded. "Yes, sir."

In his heart, he silently added:

Miss Relanie... please bring food tomorrow. It’s been a long time already...