Chapter 198

Victor’s POV

After leaving my parents’ house, I went home and gave my decision more thought. But I was sure Daisy meant more to me than the leadership position.

Alex needed to know that I wasn’t interested in marrying Olivia even if he had to give the job to someone else. I’m sure he could find another husband for Olivia, who wanted the job.

Benson was waiting by the front door when I arrived at the mansion. He held the door for me and then led me to Alex, who was waiting for me in his den.

“Victor, you're here. Benson says you need to speak to me about something urgent,” Alex said and waved me into a chair next to him.

“Yes. I must speak to you.” I tried to remember the words I decided to use to explain myself. I didn’t want to insult him by saying anything wrong about Olivia. She was his daughter, and he may take offense.

Plus, Olivia hadn’t done anything wrong. If I didn't love Daisy, she would be acceptable for my mate. But as long as Daisy was in this world, I couldn't accept anyone else as my wife.

Alex tried to seem calm while waiting for me to speak, but I could tell he was anxious.

“So, Victor,” he said. “What’s on your mind?”

“I’ve been getting to know Olivia, and I think she is a nice girl, but I can’t marry her,” I said.

Alex studied me closely as he spoke. “Are you sure? You know I want my daughter’s husband to be the next leader of the association.”

“Yes. I know, but there’s someone who means more to me than the leadership position.”

“Really?” Alex was both surprised and delighted. “You worked hard to be considered for the job. Why give it up now?”

I gathered my thoughts again before speaking. He cared about Daisy too, so my decision shouldn’t make him angry.

“When I first met Daisy and began dating her, all I wanted was the job,” I admitted. “But then I got to know her and discovered what a wonderful person she is.”

Alex smiled. “She is wonderful. But then, why did you end your engagement to her after Olivia arrived here?”

“That was Daisy’s doing, not mine,” I explained. “But last night, her friend told me she broke up with me and told me to pursue Olivia because she knew how badly I wanted the job.”

“She broke up with you so you could have the job,” Alex repeated. “It sounds like something Daisy would do.”

“Daisy is the most caring and unselfish person I’ve ever met,” I said. “And she’s the reason I can never be Olivia’s mate. I miss her and love her.” I looked Alex in the eye. “I want to marry Daisy.”

“Even if it costs you the leadership position?” Alex asked.

“Yes,” I replied. “Daisy means more to me than any job. I must find a way to convince her to be my bride.”

“Are you sure?” Alex asked. “Once you turn down Olivia because you prefer another girl, she won’t marry you if you change your mind.”

“I’m positive,” I insisted. “Daisy is the only woman for me. I hope you understand and we can still be friends. You’ve become important to me too, Alex.”

“I’m fond of you as well,” Alex told me. “But I hope you understand that my daughter's husband must be my successor. Her son must follow next. The leadership must stay in my family.”

I nodded. “I understand, and I promise to cooperate with the man Olivia marries. I’ll wish him and Olivia well and give them my loyalty.”

Alex studied me again, and a smile bloomed on his face. He looked happy!

“Thank you for understanding, Alex.” I got to my feet. “School is soon over for the day. I’m going to see Daisy and begin convincing her to be my mate.”

I got to the doorway and saw Benson just outside the door in the hallway before Alex called me back. Had he been listening?

“Yes, Alex,” I said. I wanted to know what he wanted, but I was in a hurry to see Daisy again.

“Sit down once more,” he directed. “After we talk, I will send you for Daisy. It’s something vital that you need to know.”

I sighed and sat down as Benson came into the room. He nodded at Alex, and Alex nodded back. I was becoming curious as to what was on their minds.

“Olivia isn’t my daughter,” Alex confessed. “She is the daughter of Benson’s friend, an importer, and a successful stage actress in her country.”

I was thoroughly confused. “What do you mean? Was there another mistake at the lab?”

“No.” Alex blushed slightly and looked at the floor as he spoke. “You must keep what I’m about to tell you a secret from the world, or you and I will look bad. Do you promise not to say anything, even to Daisy?”

“Yes, I promise,” I said. “But what are you trying to tell me? How do you know Olivia isn’t your daughter?

“There was no lab mistake,” Alex said. “The whole thing was a ruse.”

“You lied about Daisy not being your daughter.” I couldn’t believe it. Alex lied to me and Daisy! He lied to the world. “Why would you do this? Daisy was crushed by this false news.”

“It was for her own good,” Alex insisted. “I had to save her from far worse pain …from you.”

“What do you mean?” I demanded.

“I’m dying, Victor,” he replied. So I had to know if you were marrying Daisy for my job or if you loved her. I didn’t know about your reputation as a playboy until the night I found you with that blonde in your lap.”

He held up a hand to stop me from speaking. “Do you know how bad your reputation is?”

It was my turn to be ashamed. “I’m sure it’s terrible. But I’m a man.”

“A man who has used many women and has never been faithful in his life,” Alex argued.

All I could do was nod. Alex was right. I never looked at my past behavior this way. It wasn’t flattering in this light.

“If you were me, wouldn’t you be afraid for your daughter’s future with a man like that?” Alex asked. “I had to test you.”

His words struck me hard.

He was right. I couldn’t blame him for testing me. I wasn’t the kind of man I would want to marry my daughter. I wouldn’t want a playboy like I had been before meeting Daisy anywhere near a daughter of mine.

“But now I’ve proven myself to you?” I asked.

“Let’s say I have much more confidence in you than I did before Olivia’s arrival,” he replied. “I believe you love Daisy, and I accept you as my son-in-law and successor.”

Alex’s face clouded over. “But be sure of your words before marrying my daughter. If you hurt Daisy, I will find a way to return from the afterlife to punish you. Don’t you dare hurt her!”

“I won’t,” I said. “Alex, I swear I am finished pursuing any woman except Daisy. I promise to always love her and make her happy.”

“Then go and bring my daughter home,” Alex said. “Don’t tell her Olivia was a test. Tell her I wish to speak with her. That I have good news.”

“What will you tell Daisy about all this?” I asked. Discovering it was all a test may make her angry and distrustful. She was devastated by the false news.

“I will tell her that she is my true daughter. The lab’s first results were accurate,” Alex said.

“What will you do with Olivia,” I asked. “She is also an innocent party in this intrigue of yours.”

“Olivia will be on the next flight home to her father,” Benson said. “She will be well compensated for her time. No one ever needs to know who she was.”

I stood again and hurried to the door. I was eager to get to Daisy and bring her back to the mansion. The look on her face will be priceless when she finds out she is Alex’s daughter and will be moving back into the mansion.

“I’ll pick Daisy up from school and have her home soon. I will only tell her you want to speak to her about good news.”