Chapter 184

Alex’s POV

“We need to carry out my plan carefully,” I told Benson. “I need you to help me with the details.”

“You know I’ll do anything to help you, Alex,” Benson vowed. “Daisy must not be shackled to a playboy in a loveless marriage.”

“We must stop Victor from thinking Daisy is the key to him getting what he wants,” I said.

“But how?” Benson asked. “She is your heiress, and her husband will become the next leader.”

“We will announce there was a mistake at the genetics lab, and Daisy is not my biological daughter,” I explained. “And then we replace her.”

“Why do we have to replace her?” Benson asked.

“Because if Victor still wants Daisy when he thinks there is no leadership job to gain from marrying her, we will know he loves her.”

Benson looked shocked, but I knew he would understand and help me.

“I need you to find a young girl willing to play along with my plan,” I said. “We will say this other girl is my true daughter.”

Benson nodded slowly. “If Victor dumps Daisy and romances the new girl, we will know his true intentions,” Benson said. “It’s a genius plan, Alex. But what will you tell Daisy?”

“She must think there was a mistake at the lab, too.” I sighed. “If not, she could let our plan slip to Victor or someone else who could tell him.”

“She won’t take this kind of news well,” Benson said.

“This plan is for her own good,” I argued. “And she will be well taken care of until the test is over. I’ll give her one of my luxury apartments and a large bank account for anything she wants or needs.”

“I’ll assign our people to watch over her as well to make sure no harm comes to her,” Benson added. “They will be placed inside and outside the building.”

“Excellent idea, Benson,” I said. “It should only be for a short time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to be without her for very long.”

“If Victor romances the imposter, what will you do?” Benson asked.

“We will record the evidence to present to my daughter, and tell her about our test …and show her Victor failed the test.”

“The playboy trap,” Benson mused. “Do you believe he will fail?”

“I believe it is possible,” I said. “From what I’ve seen and heard, I’d say the odds are fifty-fifty.”

We grew quiet for a few moments. I was sad to do this to my daughter, even if it was to ensure her happiness. Daisy must understand when she learns what I did that I did it out of my great love for her.

“Where do we find a girl to impersonate my daughter?” I asked. “She must have a gift for acting.”

“I know of a young Alpha girl who would be perfect,”

Benson said. “She is an accomplished stage actress, but I’m sure she could be tempted to help us for the right price.”

“How do you know her?” I asked.

“Her father was a friend of mine in our youth,” Benson said. “We were both third sons who had to make our own way in life. He moved to the other side of the world, became a successful importer, and raised a family.”

“That sounds promising,” I said. “Tell me more about the girl.”

“She is his youngest daughter and was born on the same day as Daisy,” Benson said. “Her name is Olivia Owens. She has curly dark hair like Daisy, and she is pretty enough to attract Mr. Klein.”

“I want to see her photo,” I said.

Benson pulled his phone from his robe pocket and showed me the girl's image on the screen.

Daisy is much prettier, although this girl, Olivia, could pass as my daughter.

“You said she is a good actress?” I asked. She would need to be to play this role. “Victor cannot doubt she is my daughter.”

“Olivia is only eighteen, yet she has already received two major awards in her country for her acting skills,” Benson assured me. “Being a stage actress, she is used to performing in front of live audiences.”

“That’s good,” I said. “There will be no retakes in this role.”

We grew quiet again. The plan was the best thing for Daisy, even though she would be hurt when another girl moved into the mansion in her place.

I almost changed my mind. I opened my mouth to tell Benson to forget the plan. Then I thought about my dream and how Daisy had sobbed when she was replaced in Victor’s affections by another woman.

“I have no choice but to implement the playboy trap,” I declared. “Contact Olivia. Have her travel here immediately.”

Benson nodded and typed a message into his phone.“I’m texting her father to call me as soon as possible. I told him I must speak to him about an urgent matter.”

“It should be daytime on the other side of the world,” I said.

“We usually speak when it’s early in the morning here.” Benson glanced at his phone screen. “That’s when he is home from his office, and I am out of bed.”

“Now I have to think of the best way to lie to my beloved daughter and tell her that she isn’t my biological child.”

Wait until Olivia is on her way,” Benson advised. “There is no point in upsetting Daisy until things are set into motion.”

You’re right, old friend.” I sighed again. “Telling her this lie will be the second hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

I didn’t need to tell Benson the first was to go on living without Joanna and Daisy. He was with me and knew the pain I suffered at their loss.

I had her with me for such a short time. Now, to keep Daisy’s life from being destroyed, I had to lie to her and send her away from me and her home.

Benson’s phone rang softly, and our eyes met. It had to be Olivia’s father calling this early in the morning.

“Hello, Chet,” Benson said. He had the call on speakerphone. “It’s good of you to call me so quickly.”

“You said it was urgent,” Chet said. “How can I help?”

“My employer has a situation that requires the services of a young actress,” Benson replied. “He wishes to hire your daughter to impersonate his daughter.”

“It’s not a dangerous situation, is it?” Chet asked.

“No, of course not,” Benson replied. “I would never put your daughter in danger.”

“Then why does Mr. Wilson need a decoy daughter?” Chet sounded shocked.

“Tell him,” I said. “I wouldn’t send my daughter halfway around the world without knowing the circumstances.”

“Mr. Wilson’s daughter is engaged to a man whom we believe is marrying her only for the leadership of the Alpha Alliance,” Benson revealed.

Impatient, I joined in on the explanation. “Chet, this is Alex Wilson. I’m sure you’ve heard the story of my lost daughter.”

I continued to explain how I needed his daughter to take Daisy’s place long enough to see if Victor pursued Olivia or stuck with Daisy.

“I’ll need her to sign an NDA,” I added. “I’m sure it will only take a month or two, but I’ll pay Olivia a million dollars plus expenses. I’ll also buy her a new designer wardrobe.”

“That will seal the deal with my Olivia,” Chet chuckled. “She loves expensive clothes.”

“Then you think she will do it?” Benson asked.

“I’m sure she will, but I’ll speak to her and call you back in an hour,” Chet promised.

“That would be fantastic,” Benson said. “We’ll speak again in an hour.”

“I’m going to the kitchen for tea,” Benson told me after he hung up. “We’ll wait for Chet’s call together.

Benson left my room and returned with a pot of tea and pastries for us to enjoy while we waited for Chet’s call. We had finished our first cup when Benson’s phone rang again.

“Hello, Chet,” Benson said. “What did Olivia decide?”

“She wants to do it,” Chet said. “Besides the million dollars and the expensive clothes, Olivia has always wanted to see the place where I was born and lived in my younger years.”

“That’s wonderful,” I said. “Thank you, Chet.”

“You’re welcome, Benson, but please take care of my little girl,” Chet said.

“She will be treated like a princess,” I promised.

“Let me know about her travel arrangements, and I will see that she gets on the plane here,” Chet said.

I should be pleased that the plan was coming together smoothly. But I wasn’t.

Knowing I must soon tell Daisy the lie that she isn’t my daughter and send her away, I looked up and begged the Goddess, “Please, let me be doing the right thing.”