Author's Note:

Hello.

So, how was that chapter? Like it? Did it leave you wanting more?

Well, discoveries are coming :O And don't forget to look out for chapter fifteen, I believe and don't forget to check out my Tumblr!

On with the chapter!

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Clary had never been more nervous.

Not on adoption day at the orphanage, not when she lost her virginity, not when she slept on the streets and wondered if she would survive and not when she had met Jace. No, Clary had never been nervous before and if she had been, it was never like this.

She looked up at the opposing skyscraper, its windows shiny and clear, and breathed in, walking through the revolving door, turning around with it until she got to the inside of the building and then walking back out.

She approached the directory to find the level she was supposed to stop at and gulped when she saw the black letters spelling out her fate.

Level 45

Morgenstern Corp – Head offices

CEO Valentine Morgenstern

Clary walked to the elevators, pushing the up arrow and stepping in when it arrived, hitting the glowing number of her destination and leaning back against the wall, trying not to sweat her makeup off.

She wondered why she had come here, why she had listened to Luke in the first place, she didn't know him, he could be a raving lunatic for all she knew, but something about his eyes made her trust him. She had no idea if what he said was true though, she thought that maybe, just maybe it was, and in this building was the one person Clary wanted—needed—to meet. She did wonder though, she had met Jonathan Morgenstern and he had not looked anything like her, but then again, Clary had no idea what her parents looked like.

The elevator dinged and Clary gulped, hesitating. She didn't have to do this, she could press the lobby button and leave, no harm done although then she would never know, never know anything about this man.

Her father.

Clary still couldn't wrap her head around it. She had a father; somewhere here was the man who was supposed to have raised her.

Did he not know she existed? Did he give her up because he was broke and wanted her to have a better life and that steered him towards this future?

Clary could think of all the loving reasons he would let his daughter go, if not for the fact that he kept his son.

The only thing she could think was that either her mother had taken her and died; leaving no records of her father or her father hated her and gave her up. She hoped for the former.

She stepped out of the elevator, looking at the reception desk in front of her, her hand tightening around the envelope as she thought up her excuse.

The receptionist looked up at her approach.

"How can I help you?" She asked. Clary had been a receptionist for a couple of weeks and new that the sweetness of her voice and smile was all for sure. This woman would no doubt go home, kick her shoes off and never smile again until she was back behind her desk.

"I have an important delivery for Valentine Morgenstern." Clary voice was steady, not shaken or anxious like she felt.

"I'll just take that and make sure he gets it." She held her hand out but Clary shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but I have instructions from my boss to hand deliver it to him." The receptionist gave her a doubtful look. "My boss, Jace Wayland." She emphasised the last word.

Wayland and Morgenstern were rivals and anything to do with the other went straight to the CEO. Clary knew from experience and if there was someone from the other company, here to deliver a message, the CEO had to speak with them as they could be a potential new employee.

"Just one moment." The receptionist, Alice, Clary saw from her name tag, picked up her phone and punched in a number and spoke softly.

"He'll be right with you and told me to place you into one of our board rooms." Clary smiled and followed Alice into a room, taking a seat and twiddling her thumbs.

Clary looked around the room, wood and glass, mahogany and leather. It was sophisticated, elegant. It was an exact replica of one of the rooms and Wayland. Clary shook her head in disgust.

She heard the door open and instantly stiffened. A man sat in the seat opposite her and Clary knew then that he was most definitely Jonathan's father.

The man projected a regal air and it seemed that in his stance and expression that he knew he needed to be in charge, because anyone else would fuck up. His hair was stark white and his eyes as black as coal. He had a lined face that seemed to have never smiled. He looked sinister, as if he could snap you in two like a twig.

Clary was rethinking her plan.

"So, I am told you have something for me from Wayland, is that correct?" Clary was shaking, this man made her completely nervous. She didn't know why.

"Yes." She handed him the envelope that contained the new figures for Wayland, they were well ahead of Morgenstern. Also, Clary tweaked them a tad, just to gain his trust.

He looked down at the numbers, scrutinizing them and it seemed, for a second, he doubted their reliability. Then he looked up and smiled, Clary felt cold inside.

"Well, these are interesting but please tell me, why are you bringing this to me?" He assessed her from head to toe and had she not been paying close attention, Clary would have missed the small jump of muscle at his jaw.

He recognised something in her, maybe something about her mother. Eye and hair colour, stature, anything.

"Well, I am hoping to broaden my horizons. I have worked for Wayland for a short time, but I wish to begin working for a much more advanced company."

"Interesting. Most girls your age would jump at the chance to work alongside Jace Wayland." His name was said in a sneer.

"Most girls, but not me." Clary tried to see what he was getting at. When he spoke again, she wished she hadn't come at all.

"It's strange that you give me these numbers, when someone else, someone higher up than you I imagine, sent me some numbers this morning that are slightly different. Now, this person has been sending me numbers for a few years now and has never steered me wrong but you have just appeared and hand me this, which I must say, seems quite farfetched. Now tell me, who do you think is lying?"

Clary froze. His eyes seemed to get blacker, if that was possible, his tone changed and seemed to be as cold as ice. Clary tried not to shake, tried not to show any discomfort or nervousness.

She stood and put on a bold face.

"Well thank you for meeting with me. That was all I needed to know."

She had decided to pretend she had come to discover if there was a rat a Wayland.

He laughed, cruelly.

"You don't really think you are fooling me do you? Let me tell you something, my company has been here as long as Wayland, and it will be here long after that company comes crashing down, do you understand me?" His tone was clear with threat.

"You are quite a dreamer, aren't you." Clary opened the door and began leaving, she pushed down on the elevator panel, wishing she didn't have to wait for it. When the door opened she sagged with relief, stepping in and pressing the button for the lobby. The doors began to close when a hand stopped them and Valentine Morgenstern stood in the way.

"I don't know who you are and I don't care, although you remind me of someone I knew, I hope you are not as idiotic as she was. Sticking her nose in where it didn't belong. I hope, that I never see you in my building again. Are we clear?"

Clary, in a sudden act of boldness, stepped forward.

"Crystal."

The doors closed and Clary was left alone, the image of Valentine's shocked face engraved on her mind.

Clary was at Wayland Manor, trying to calm herself.

She knocked on the study door and waited for an answer. She realised that she probably should have been more dressed instead of being in her pyjamas. Shorts and a tank top didn't exactly spell bravery.

"Come in."

Clary opened the door and nearly groaned. She was hoping that Jace was along, but to her annoyance, Isabelle, Simon, Alec and Magnus were all her. Clary was going to turn around and leave but decided she would never work up the courage to do this again.

"Clary," Jace said exasperated. "I was just about to talk about you. Something interesting came to my attention today. Do you know what that was?" Jace had anger in his golden eyes.

Clary looked at everyone's faces. They knew where she had been and they were about to find out why.

"Yes, I know." Clary felt them a second before they feel. Hot tears spilling down her cheeks. Clary wiped them away hastily. Jace seemed to take this as a sign that she was trying to apologise for her betrayal.

"Well, where were you today?"

"Morgenstern Corp."

"Clary why?" Isabelle asked disbelieving.

"I was looking into—"

"You were giving him my numbers!" Jace yelled, standing and clenching his fists."

"No, I gave him fake numbers! Someone else gave him your numbers!"

Clary was getting defensive. Did he really think that she would do this to him? After everything he had done for her? Did he really think she could?

"Bullshit Clary! What the fuck is wrong with you? I have given you a home, food, a job and money and this is how you repay me? Well, I hope your new boss is as giving as me or else, in short terms, your fucked sweetheart."

Clary walked up to him and slapped him across the face. He rocked on his heels and glared down at her.

"What the fuck is wrong with me? I don't know, I was left at an orphanage at, who knows what age! The one person that I trusted most to help me now thinks I am a traitor and just to add the cherry on top of the sundae, I discovered that my mother is dead and my father gave me up!" Clary was angry. She had never felt such raw anger like this. Tears continued to spill. She pointed at Jace. "Where do you get off accusing me of this? I know all about Valentine Morgenstern and know something about him that you don't! I would never, even if I was still without a home, work for the man! You ignorant, idiotic, conclusion jumping too son of a bitch!" She prepared another slap when Jace grabbed her wrist. His grip was tight and solid. It hurt, but Clary enjoyed it.

"You...You know who you're parents her? When did you find out? Why didn't you tell me?"

Clary opened her mouth in shock.

"I was coming in here to tell you everything, until you accused me of this! God! Why can't you ever just trust someone? Do you really think I am that ungrateful?" Clary pulled at her wrist but Jace didn't let go. "I found out from that guy I was with at the party, his name is Luke, he knew my parents and told me who they were and if you looked you would know who they are too!"

"How would I know something like that?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe because they were right in front of you the whole time!"

"Clary, who? Who were your parents."

Clary looked into his eyes, forgetting everyone else in the room and breathed in to calm her.

"I went to Morgenstern today to see if what Luke told me was true."

"Was it?" He asked softly, still holding her wrist, but loosening his grip.

"It was. Valentine Morgenstern is my father."

Author's note:

How did Clary come to that conclusion?

Find out next time on From Ragged to Golden.

Don't forget to check out my Tumblr, I post more than Just FanFic stuff on there.

Review?

Question: Who do you think the lemon is going to be between in an upcoming chapter? Who do you want it to be between?

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