Chapter 202

After my time spent alone in a high-rise apartment, I had a new appreciation for my life as Alex’s daughter. Everything would have been perfect if I wasn’t worried about hurting one of my good friends.

I asked Victor to the prom on impulse after discovering he chose me over Olivia. And now Amy and I suspected William would soon ask me too.

“There is no point in worrying about it until it happens,” I told myself as I signed myself out of school early. I didn’t want to think about it right now.

Alex was waiting in the back of the limousine that would take us to Wilson, Inc. for the press conference Alex was giving in a half hour.

He wanted to make an official statement about the lab error. A dinner was being held for our friends and family at the mansion that evening.

“You look lovely, dearest,” Alex said as I joined him in the limo.

“Thanks,” I said. “I changed into this dress for the press conference. Will I need to speak to them?”

“Perhaps,” Alex replied. “There could be a question or two that you can answer better than me.”

I nodded, retrieved a bottle of water from the mini-fridge, and settled back in the seat.

We rode in comfortable silence until Joe turned the car into the office building’s parking garage.

It was good to be there again. I couldn’t wait to return to my office as the company CEO. My executives had kept things running in my absence with slight supervision from Victor.

After checking my makeup, I told Alex I was ready, and we slipped into the press room through the private back entrance.

The number of journalists waiting for our arrival sent a jolt of panic through my stomach. It looked as if every reporter and photographer in the city was here.

My legs began to shake until I spotted Victor standing against one wall. He stepped forward and stood beside me while Alex stepped up to the podium.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Alex began. He looked tired, but his voice and mannerisms were strong. “I’m here to explain a painful experience my family recently endured.”

He went on to explain the lab error and how we had to briefly deal with the concept that I wasn’t his daughter.

“After the lab discovered that it was a computer error, I insisted a second DNA test be run. It proved conclusively that Daisy, not Olivia, is my true daughter.”

“I humbly apologize to Daisy again for the terrible ordeal she endured and ask you all to spread the word about how she bravely overcame this stressful time in her life.”

The reporters applauded and called out supportive messages to me. When the commotion died down, Alex began taking questions.

“Where is the young woman who was briefly thought to be your daughter?” a famous television news reporter asked.

“Olivia Owens was a lovely girl that any father would be proud of,” Alex replied. “She eagerly returned to her loving family that she’s known all her life.”

“Where was Miss Wilson while Olivia Owens lived in your home?” another asked.

“Daisy was temporarily moved into a luxury apartment in my new building on Third Avenue,” Alex told him. “Daisy is dear to me. I would never have abandoned her.”

A few more questions later, I noticed Alex was growing weary, and I wished the reporters would be finished soon. Alex needed to rest.

But they had one more question that took me by surprise.

A male newscaster looked at me. “Miss Wilson, there are rumors of a split between you and Victor Klein. Are you going to marry?”

I was speechless. The question had my mouth working like a fish out of water. The truth was I didn’t know.

Victor and I had not discussed our fake engagement since my return to the mansion. And a real engagement would never happen unless Victor properly proposed to me. I wasn’t going to assume anything.

Alex answered the question after he motioned toward us, and Victor put his arm around my shoulders.

“Victor came to me and said he still wanted to marry Daisy during the time when everyone thought she wasn’t my daughter. That proved to me that he loves Daisy for herself.”

There was another round of applause.

“Therefore, I approve of their engagement more than ever,” Alex said. “They will be married whenever they are ready to wed.”

Alex tried to answer several more questions, but he became tired quickly. Before I could stop the press conference, Victor stepped in.

“I think that’s enough questions for today,” Victor said with a charming smile. “We thank you all for being here today. I assure you that you will know when Daisy and I set a date for our wedding.”

Then he steered Alex and me out the door behind the one-way mirror. We were soon in the parking garage, helping Alex into the limo.

“I still have work to do this afternoon,” Victor said. “But I’ll see you both tonight.” He closed the car door and waved before walking to his nearby car.

“I’m afraid I’m going to need a nap when we get back to the Mansion,” Alex said.

“That’s fine,” I assured him. “I have plenty of things to do this afternoon.”

But after Alex was settled in his bedroom, all I wanted to do was to go for a run and spend some time in the pond pagoda until it was time for me to shower and dress for dinner.

Jennifer helped me dress in a cream and gold calf-length dress with an illusion neckline and a swirly skirt. She used a new product on my hair that relaxed my curls.

The look was more flattering to my features, and I felt prettier than ever after she applied my makeup.

Forty guests were invited to the dinner party. I was pleased to see William arrive. He was in a pleasant mood and was bantering with Victor over which pro football team was the best.

“That’s enough sports talk, you two,” Lily James scolded.

“Why don’t we sit at the table,” I suggested. “The meal is about to be served.”

We took our places at the table just before the footman entered the formal dining room with trays loaded with food.

Alex was seated at the head of the table. I was on his right beside Victor, while William was seated diagonally across the table from us with his parents.

Lana wasn’t well enough yet to attend. I missed her and Harry.

The dinner was delicious. Everyone complimented the main course of beef tenderloin and fresh, icy-cold oysters.

Victor teased me when I refused to eat the oysters.

“They are fantastic,” he insisted. “Try one.”

“Yuck.” I shook my head. “I’m not putting one of those slimy things in my mouth.”

“I can’t believe my fiancée doesn’t like oysters,” Victor said before tipping a shell and letting the oyster slide into his mouth.

“We watched your press conference today,” Lily James said as her eyes examined us closely. “You are engaged again. Congratulations.”

Alex spoke up. “Victor came to me and chose Daisy over Olivia before he knew about the computer error. I’m pleased to know he cares more about my daughter than any job.”

William stared at me for a long moment. The intensity of his gaze made me grateful when another guest began asking questions about the history behind the formal dining room.

After dessert was eaten, some of the guests rose from the table to mingle. I found myself standing between Victor and my COO while they discussed inflation and bank rates.

It was nice to be discussing business again.

But then William joined us and abruptly changed the subject.

“So, Victor, you don’t care about the leadership position any longer?” William asked. “I thought it meant everything to you.”

Victor shrugged and put his arm around my shoulders. “Some things are more important than a job.”

“That’s great,” William said. He gave us a weak smile and walked away without another word.

I got a sick feeling in my stomach when he left the room. I knew he was upset to discover Victor chose me over the job and what that could mean.

“Excuse me,” I said and followed William.