Chapter 201

After waking in my bedroom at the mansion the next morning, I stretched and let my eyes absorb the familiar surroundings.

I was home again!

After climbing from the bed, I went into my bathroom and showered. It was wonderful to be using the familiar space.

Every detail of my life was better than ever. I would never take anything for granted again.

“What would you like to wear today, Miss?” Jennifer called from the bedroom.

Jennifer and I had an emotional reunion the previous evening. After a tearful hug, she fussed for hours while unpacking and arranging my belongings until every item was placed where it had been before Olivia.

I was glad to be back in Jennifer’s care, but I was pleased to learn Mrs. Carson still has her job keeping the apartment clean for the times when I needed to stay in the city.

The arrangement would give her employment and plenty of time to read. I would stop by occasionally and trade her new books for some of her tasty home-baked cookies.

Jennifer chattered about how nice it was to have me back at the mansion as she styled my hair and applied my makeup.

“I missed you too,” I told her. “Mrs Carson is a nice lady and cooks like a dream, but she wasn’t you.”

Jennifer smiled at my compliment. However, she wasn’t pleased with the jeans and T-shirt I chose to wear to school.

“I’m not going to my office until things settle down, and I want to be comfortable,” I argued. “Save my good clothes for when I go back to work.”

Jennifer sighed and returned a designer dress to my closet. “Very well, Miss, but I’ll do something with your hair besides a ponytail.”

“Of course,” I said with a grin. I was being spoiled by everyone in the house. But it was nice to know how many people cared about me.

After Jennifer declared I was ready for school, I went downstairs and had breakfast with Alex.

Benson had set up breakfast in the morning room and served my favorite omelet with bacon.

“Did you sleep well, sweetheart? Alex inquired as I sat at the table.

“Yes,” I replied. “I feel wonderful this morning.”

The only thing that kept me awake for a few minutes the previous night was the memory of Victor’s kisses in the rose garden and wondering if he was serious about taking me to the prom.

“I guess I’ll find out,” I mumbled.

“What was that, dearest?” Alex asked.

“Nothing,” I said and began to eat the omelet.

After breakfast, I hugged Alex and said goodbye before going out the front door.

“Good morning, Miss,” Joe chirped. He opened the limousine door and then closed it after I climbed inside.

As the car began to glide down the driveway, I settled back to enjoy the ride. It was nice to be looking forward to my day.

But the first thing I saw when I got out of the limo was Olivia standing on the top step of the school’s front entrance, surrounded by Alpha kids.

There was shouting when they saw me get out of Alex’s car. It was scary. All they needed to look like an insane mob were pitchforks and torches.

“What did she do to steal your life this time?” a voice shouted.

“Don’t let the imposter get away with it again,” another yelled.

Olivia waved both arms in the air to get their attention and shouted, “Listen to me, all of you. I am the imposter. The lab proved I am not Alex Wilson’s daughter. Daisy is his daughter, and she was mistreated by everyone here over a computer error.”

Olivia put her arms down, but she had a way of making her voice carry without a microphone.

“I came here this morning to tell you the truth and say my goodbyes,” she continued. “You must repair your relationship with Daisy Wilson. She was unfairly judged and punished by most of you during a time when she was already in emotional pain.”

“I hope if anything like this happens to me, I can show as much strength and dignity as Daisy has throughout this ordeal. Thank you all for your friendship and my best wishes for long and happy lives.”

When Olivia was finished, she went inside the school, leaving the buzzing crowd to digest her words.

I spotted Amy on the bench under the tree and hurried over.

“Some speech, huh,” she said. I called her after dinner last night, and she already knew all the details of my reinstatement as Alex’s daughter.

“I liked what I heard,” I agreed. “Do you think they will believe her?”

“Yep.” Amy jutted her chin toward the crowd. “They are rushing over to suck up to you already.”

She was right. The crowd was on their way to my side. They had humble expressions on their faces.

“Daisy, we are so sorry,” Wendy, the bully, said. “We thought you had stolen Olivia’s life.”

“While I was in pain from losing my father, my home, and my life, you purposefully made my life even worse,” I said. “Someday, I may forgive you, but that day is not today.”

“But we thought …” Wendy said.

“No,” Amy interrupted. “You didn’t think at all. Just like you didn’t think anyone saw you when you locked Daisy in the bathroom.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wendy insisted. “And you can’t prove anything.”

“Phones take pictures and video these days,” Amy told a shocked Wendy. “And you are very photogenic, Wendy.”

“Just leave us alone,” I said. “You showed me who you really are, and I don’t need ‘friends’ like you.”

I took Amy’s arm, and we walked away from the now-silent crowd.

When I got inside the school, Olivia waved me into the office. I was amazed when she hugged me.

“I hope that helped,” she said. “Teenagers in your country can be petty, mean, and tribal. But I enjoyed my time here and wish I could have gotten to know you better.”

“Are you leaving Denhurst?” I wished I could have gotten to know her, too. She wasn’t an imposter after Alex’s money or a mean girl.

“My plane leaves at three,” she replied. “I can’t wait to get home.” She leaned close to me. “And now you can continue with that new business plan.”

She winked again and said, “Good luck,” before she went out the door.

The rest of the day went well. I forgave some of the Alphas who weren’t mean but stayed clear of the drama. But I let them know Amy was my best friend.

At lunchtime, things got interesting when William sat with us in the cafeteria.

“I can’t believe it was a computer error,” he said. “I was half right, Daisy. Olivia wasn’t the real Alberta. And I’m glad your troubles are over. We have other important things coming up.”

“Have they announced who our valedictorian is?” Amy asked.

“I think it’s …” William stopped speaking when one of the senior cheerleaders dumped a box of glittering confetti over his head. The girl then broke into a cheer she made up, including a few gymnastic moves.

“Who’s the best football player ever?

Who’s lost a game, never?

You’re the best guy on the team.

Go to the prom with me because it’s my dream.

Yay, William!”

She ended her promposal by doing a split at William’s side.

William was stunned. He was covered with glitter and confetti while he remained still and silent.

The girl stood by his side. “Will you go to prom with me?” she asked.

William shook his head and watched confetti sift from his head to his shirt. He exhaled strongly, and I stifled a giggle when more confetti flew from his nose.

“Thanks for asking, Beth,” he said and looked pointedly at me. “But I already have a prom date in mind.”

“He’s talking about you, Daisy,” Amy whispered into my ear as a blushing Beth walked away.

I shook my head like William had a moment before. I already asked Victor. And judging from his kiss, he thought I was serious, and his answer was yes!