The Ruse

"That's not the first time those rumors have circulated," based on his words, one would think that the matter wasn't that serious, but I knew my cousin better, his tone spoke volumes.

"But there is more to it, isn't there?" I asked, taking a seat as he poured me another glass.

He pushed it toward me and I gladly accepted. 

Technically, my boss was offering me the drink and when I did eventually come back, I would be his boss. 

"It's one of the reasons why Grandpa wanted you to take this route, it wasn't just to learn what our employees do and appreciate the company, but to find out where these rumors are coming from," he told me as I lifted the glass to my lips.

I stopped and our eyes met.

"You think there is truth to the rumors," I eyed Lex carefully, watching his reaction.

His Adam's apple bobbed, "Yes, I think there is."

"Grandpa?" I dared to ask.

"No, but at least some people in our upper management," he said, I let out a breath of relief as he cleared Grandfather of the accusations.

"Do you have any leads?" I asked.

"A few under suspicion, but…" his voice trailed as he hesitated to tell me what he and Grandfather had been suspecting.

"But you want me to do this investigation without any biases, I understand," I really did. 

He answered with a nod, confirming my suspicions.

"I guess I'm on track then," I smirked at him as I emptied the glass. 

Lex made a move to fill my glass again, but I placed my hand on it and shook my head, I didn't want to drink more.

"So, how are you taking the news?" he asked with a playful smile on his lips.

"The news?" I had no idea what my cousin was talking about.

He chuckled and reached for a button on his desk, revealing a hidden TV. As it switched on I could see as the reporter pointed to a photo of Alexander.

"What a coincidence," Lex chuckled as he made the volume louder.

"We weren't even aware that the Durfort family's true heir was female!" the reporter said, clearly shocked by the news. "What do you take of this revelation?"

"It's clear that they have been training her behind the scenes," a man who was labeled as a Business Analyst said as the news droned on. "I am actually quite curious to hear both Mr. Alexander Harris' opinion on the engagement and Mr. Lexington Durfort's opinion on him not being the heir."

"Mr. Durfort," Cassandra's voice came over the intercom. "Line 2, for your interview."

"Thank you, Cassandra," he said with a smile as he tapped on the phone and placed it on speaker.

"Then you are in luck, we actually managed to get Mr. Lexington Durfort on the line," the reporter said as Lex placed the TV on mute.

I glared at him.

It was a setup, he knew this was going to happen and he led me to it.

"Mr. Durfort, good afternoon," the reporter greeted, this time his voice coming from Lexington's phone. "Thank you for taking this interview with us, I am aware that this is the first you've accepted all day."

"Good afternoon, Hank," clearly my cousin was familiar with this particular reporter. "It is, it's been a busy day as I am sure you are well aware."

"Yes, yes, Mr. Durfort, with the news of your removal as heir and your cousin's engagement last night, I have to ask how are you taking all of this?" the reporter, Hank, asked.

"I need to correct you there, Hank, I was never the heir, there was no removal. I've always known that I wasn't the heir to Durfort Inc. everyone else simply assumed I was," Lex's tone was no longer playful, it was more serious now, I knew this was part of his public persona.

"So you've always known?" Hanks asked.

"Of course, I'm here to be my cousin's right hand," he then looked at me and winked. "Lilith Durfort was always meant to be at the helm."

I knew they wanted drama, they wanted my cousin to be stripped of the title of heir and they wanted him to react, but little did they know that Lex never wanted that.

Grandpa had only forced the role on him because I chose to love someone who didn't truly appreciate me.

"Speaking of Lilith Durfort, can you tell us anything about her relationship with Alexander Harris? This engagement seems to come out of the blue, this whole time we thought Mr. Harris wasn't interested," in short, they thought he could be gay.

"Alex and Lilith have been involved for quite while now," the way my cousin said the word involved made me blush. "As a matter of fact, I think the only woman who would be capable of taking Alexander Harris on would be my cousin."

"Is it a love match or one for business?" Hank asked.

"The business benefits, but when have you heard of a Durfort marrying for anything less than love?" my cousin asked with a smile on his lips.

Never, that was the answer. Even if the person we loved was considered beneath us Grandpa had allowed all his children to marry for love.

I would be the first to get married for an alliance.

"When do you think we will get a glimpse of your cousin? Everyone is quite eager to see more of the woman who changed the face of the city overnight," Hank questioned my cousin.

I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head. I quickly covered my mouth as soon as I realized I might have been heard over the phone.

When I saw the reaction of the reporters on the TV. 

I hope my cousin's employees weren't watching because they would know I was the only one in here, it didn't help that Grandpa didn't want me changing my first name while working at Durfort Inc.

Lily was a compromise.

"I think my cousin disagrees with your statement," Lex said, clearly amused by my reaction. "But knowing Alex, soon, you'll get to meet her soon."

The reporter quickly wrapped up the interview, thanking my cousin for his time.

"What do you mean by soon?" I asked, glaring at him. Had Alexander said something to him.

"Just keep your lines open," he said with a wink. "I suggest you go home, those reporters are going to want to know who was in my office with me during the interview."

"Shit," I cursed as I quickly left. 

The ruse had only begun, there was no way I was going to let myself get caught this early on.