Chapter 185

I was a bundle of nerves by the time I made it to the office after school on Monday. The board had to approve my ideas for the new business model and projects.

The projects involved meant a great deal to me and even more to the Beta community. I couldn’t let them down. It would be even worse than the way I failed Amy.

I hadn’t eaten all day, and my stomach was rumbling, but there was no way I could eat until after my presentation to the board.

Yet, when Victor showed up in my office with mocha lattes and chocolate muffins, I couldn’t help nibbling on a muffin. He knew me well.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I told him. “Look.” I held out a shaking hand for him to see.

I wasn’t sure until he walked into my office just now if he would come to the presentation this afternoon. He had been distant since I asked him that question about kissing a few days ago.

Maybe I should bring it up later to see what I had said wrong.

“You’ll do great,” Daisy,” Victor insisted. “You and your report are prepared for the presentation. This is a passion project for you. Harness that energy, and you will pass it on to the board.”

I sipped my latte and thought about what he said. Failure to convince the board that my new business model was the future of Wilson, Inc. was something I couldn’t allow to happen.

My stomach fluttered when I saw the time and realized the meeting began in ten minutes.

“It’s time to go to the conference room,” I said and grimaced.

“You’ve got this handled, Daisy,” Victor assured me. “Explain the new projects to the board like you explained them to me last week. You can’t fail.”

“The profit margin is excellent,” I said more to remind me than Victor. “It’s a sound business model.”

“You are one hundred percent correct,” Victor agreed and pulled me to my feet. “Now, go convince the board. I’ll be in the room cheering you on.”

The presentation went smoothly. Although the majority of the board members had some reservations about the plan, they trusted me enough to agree to allow me to begin carrying it out.

Thrilled to have the green light, I had the acquisitions manager begin to look for properties where the new hospital and apartment buildings would be built.

“I want several alternative locations with the pros and cons of each location,” I told them.

As soon as the properties were purchased and I hired the right architects, building would begin.

“Congratulations, Daisy,” Victor said. “I knew you would be successful. He planted a kiss on my cheek that sent a jolt of sensation through my body. What was this magic he held over me?

“Thanks,” I said as my desk phone buzzed. “Yes,” I said to the receptionist.

“Mr. Wilson is on line two,” she said.

I put Alex on speakerphone. He most likely heard about the outcome of the meeting with the board.

“Are you calling to congratulate me?” I asked. “The presentation went great.”

“Congratulations, Daisy, but that isn’t why I’m calling. I’m sending Joseph to bring you home. I need to speak to you immediately.”

My eyes flew to Victor.

“I can take her home now,” Victor offered. “It would be faster than waiting for Joe. What’s wrong, Alex?”

“It’s not my health if that’s what’s worrying you, but it’s nothing I can discuss over the phone,” Alex replied. “It may be a good thing if you’re here when I tell Daisy this news, Victor, since it will affect you too.”

“We will be right there,” Victor said.

We hung up the phone and hurried to the mansion.

Alex was pacing his office when we arrived. He finished the last of a drink and asked us to sit down. His nervous demeanor scared me.

“What’s going on?” Victor asked.

I knew it was serious from the sad expression on Alex’s face. He looked ten years older than he had when I left for school that morning.

“I was notified today about a mistake that will change all of our lives,” Alex said. There were tears in his eyes!

“What mistake?” I asked.

“The genetics lab mixed up the blood samples.” Alex sat next to me and took my hand. “Daisy, you are not my biological daughter.”

I stared at Alex in disbelief. “But …I … I look like my mother,” I stammered. “It …it isn’t possible.” This had to be a nightmare. I would wake up in my bed any second.

Alex shook his head. “The slight resemblance you have to my wife must be a coincidence, or perhaps Jennifer molded your new look after seeing Joanna’s portrait in the ballroom.”

“Is the lab positive there was a mistake?” Victor asked. “It seems unlikely after all this time …”

Alex interrupted Victor. “The lab is positive that another girl named Olivia Owens is my true daughter. I have sent for her, and she will be here in a few days.”

How could this be happening? A few minutes ago, I had a father, a fiancé, and a good life. In a single moment, it was all gone. A huge lump formed in my throat, and I could barely breathe.

Victor was horrified. “If this girl is coming here, what will happen to Daisy? Are you going to throw her into the street?”

My heart skipped a few beats and then accelerated. I was still in high school, and I wasn’t prepared to take care of myself yet.

Maybe I could work as a waitress again and rent a small room somewhere. When I lived with my foster family, I dreamed about living alone. Now that it was happening, I was terrified.

But I would never go back to them. I would rather live in the streets.

“Daisy will move into my best apartment building in the city, and I will provide her with a bank account for her wants and needs,” Alex replied. “It wouldn’t be fair to Olivia for Daisy to be here when she arrives.”

An apartment didn’t sound bad, but I couldn’t stay there forever. I wasn’t Alex’s daughter, and he didn’t owe me anything. I would get on my feet somehow, get my own apartment, and give him back his money.

What about my position as the CEO of Wilson, Inc.? I was good at my job, and the salary would support me.

“The company?” The words would barely come from my mouth.

“I’m sorry. You can no longer be CEO of the company,” Alex replied.

Victor placed an arm around me when I burst into tears.

“I can’t buh …believe this,” I sobbed.

“Alex, she worked and fought hard to get where she is,” Victor pleaded. “How can you do this to her?”

Alex’s face hardened. “It’s out of my hands, Victor. You know my true daughter must inherit the company and my fortune. And her husband will become the next leader of the association.”

What! Victor was ineligible for the leadership position now. This situation was surreal. I couldn’t help him any longer. I couldn’t help the Beta community either. I couldn’t help anyone, even myself.

I sobbed harder, realizing my life was really gone. My father wasn’t my father. The company and the new business model were out of my hands, and it would probably be tossed aside.

Worst of all, my agreement with Victor was worthless to him now. Just like I was.

I sobbed harder when I realized Victor would see me differently. He wouldn’t want anything to do with me anymore. I wouldn’t feel as bad if he could have gotten the leadership position. I had really let him down.

I now realize how much I would miss not having him in my life. He had become much more than just a friend.

And I would miss Benson, Jennifer, and the other servants. We had become good friends. I knew I wouldn’t be able to see them anymore either after I moved out of the mansion.

I hope Olivia is good to Alex. He is a good and kind man.

But as much as I had grown to care about the man I thought was my father, it was my relationship with Victor that I would miss the most. He had become my best friend and my world, and I hadn’t realized it until now.

My fabulous life as Daisy Wilson, Victor Klein’s fiancée, was over. There would be no more runs together, fancy parties and dinners, working together in my office, or romantic dancing in the ballroom.

My fairytale life was gone. I had to accept it. There was no other choice.

What was left for me now?