The Billionaire’s Blackmailed Heiress(8)

At that he had delved into the bag he had carried from the car with him, retrieving a fairly thick folder, and sliding it over to her.

Surprised at how much they had gathered in such a short period of time Mina had moved her hand to lift it, opening the buff folder and seeing the many pictures and reports contained within. One in particular had caught her eyes, showing her mother and Alexander Mentis, her father. Giving a sad half smile she had seen how happy her mother had looked, as she had stared at the handsome man beside her with such adoring eyes.

“That picture was taken about six months after you were born”.

His voice had broken her reverie as she had pulled herself back to the present, dropping the folder and its contents once more onto the table between them.

“So you accept that I am Alexander’s daughter then?” she had said softly, seeing as he had nodded his head.

“Yes, I do” watching her over his coffee cup before softly placing it back down “Did you know that he registered your birth himself?”

Mina had gasped in surprise.

“N…no…I didn’t” she had stuttered softly.

“He never seemed to have much time for me when I was a child” her voice not full of hurt as he would have expected, but spoken more matter of fact.

“There will need to be DNA tests for legal reasons, but yes I believe that you are truly his daughter”.

She had frowned gently, first at the obvious note of contempt that had crept into his voice but also at the need for tests.

“While I am obviously fully prepared to provide DNA evidence, is their really any need. Wouldn’t it just be better….?”

His voice now very businesslike had cut over hers.

“I considered your proposal Miss Lane, but have decided that I have a better one…one that helps me out of a bit of a situation of my own”

Mina had looked back at him, her face both confused and frustrated.

“But…I have agreed to sign over everything for one million pounds Mr Dupris…we both know that as his daughter I stand to gain far more”.

She had felt the panic rise in her seeing the way he had given another smaller smile.

“That is very true Miss Lane, but you see my investigators also found out for me why you need so much money”.

As the colour had blanched from her lovely face, she had seen him look at her with a more sympathetic expression on his face, his voice becoming softer.

“I am sorry to hear of your mother’s illness Mina”.

She had felt the tears rushing to her eyes, not expecting to hear this from him, images of her frail mother filling her mind as she had angrily dashed them away, trying once more to regain some control of the situation.

“That was none of your business” she had bitten out, suddenly so angry at his violation of her pain, feeling somehow vulnerable by his knowing of her hurt.

For a second he had remained silent allowing her to compose herself, as she had deliberately looked away from him, her eyes falling on the serene view of the sea, before once more able to turn to look at him, her eyes slightly red, her teeth savaging her lovely lips.

In a smaller voice she had carefully spoken.

“What do you know?” her eyes rising to look into his face, not able to see the expression in his eyes as they were still hidden behind the dark sunglasses.

“I know that you have rented the villa Aqua for a month, the villa you and your mother lived in while she and Alexander were together, and that you have pretty much used up all of your money to do it”

Continuing his voice had been calm.#p#分页标题#e#

“I also know that your mother has not long left to live”.

He had paused seeing the flash of pain which had again crossed her face, more tears rising to her eyes as she had fought hard to keep them from spilling over, something inside him reacting to her vulnerability.

“I truly am sorry Mina”.

Nodding softly, she had once more dragged the back of her hand over her cheek, her hands visibly trembling.

“Well I guess that you would have found out eventually” she had finally stated, the hurt clear on her voice.

“You asked me yesterday why I had waited so long to …how did you put it…crawl out of the woodwork”.

She had pulled on her sunglasses in a vain attempt to hide her upset.

“I never wanted my connection with Alexander Mentis to come to light Mr Dupris. If I had not needed this money, then I would never have approached you or your family…but at least now you know why I have…and also that I will keep my word and I will sign anything you ask, and never bother you or your family again”.

Nikos had watched Mina, silently taking in the way she was trying so desperately to keep her composure.