Chapter 338

The fire company arrived moments after I did and put out the fire before the Mercedes exploded.

But the car Alex gave me for my graduation was destroyed.

I held back my tears as a group of reporters demanded I make a statement and ran back toward the store to call Benson for a ride home.

Joe arrived quickly in the limousine. I was surprised to see Benson riding in the passenger seat.

“Are you alright, Miss?” he asked as he rushed out of the limo and chased away the reporters with a stern look and a wave of his hand.

I nodded in answer and lost the fight with my tears.

Benson helped me into the backseat of the limousine with the shopping bags I had forgotten I was holding.

“I arranged to have your car towed back to the estate,” he told me. “I’m sure Mr. Klein will want someone to go over it for evidence.”

“Evidence of what?” a reporter asked behind him.

“Arson is a crime, and eavesdropping is extremely rude,” Benson informed the reporter before climbing into the car next to me and closing the door. “Forgive me, Miss. But with your father away, I think we need to talk.”

“I’d like that, Benson,” I said as tears rolled down my face. “You know you are much more than the butler to me. You are family.”

“I’m honored you think so,” he said. “You and your father mean a great deal to me.”

It was good to hear him say that, but it also made me cry harder. I have been crying too much lately.

Benson handed me a handkerchief. “Miss, I’d like to give you some advice that your father would agree with.”

I nodded. “Please do.”

I was confused, frightened, and hurt. My roiling emotions were making it difficult to think clearly. Benson was a lot like Alex. I would like to hear his thoughts on my situation.

Benson took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I don’t mean to contradict your fiancé, but I don’t think ignoring the situation will make it go away.”

“I agree.” I dabbed my eyes again. “But I don’t know how to fix this mess on my own.”

“You must continue to hold your head high and remember you have friends to help defend you. Why not have that nice young reporter who helped you with your article write something to help clear your name?”

“Shane Ross,” I said. “That’s a good idea, Benson. I’ll speak to him about it.”

“Alex knows other people in the news business,” Benson added. “Perhaps I should contact them. The truth about you needs to be told.”

“I would appreciate you doing that,” I said. “But please don’t tell my father about any of this. I don’t want to ruin the cruise for him and Cassidy.”

“Unless things get much worse or he mentions it, I won’t say a word,” Benson agreed.

When we were almost at the mansion, I called Amy and told her what happened.

“Are you hurt?” she asked.

“No, but I don’t have a car anymore,” I moaned.

“I’ll come over to Alex’s if you want,” she offered.

“I’ve got the macarons you like,” I said.

“I’ll be there soon,” she promised, and we disconnected.

The limo soon turned off the road and glided down the driveway to the mansion. I climbed out after Benson and started walking inside when my phone rang.

“What did Amy forget to tell me?” I mumbled and answered the call.

“You’ll get yours,” a woman hissed. “Too bad you weren’t in that car.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear like it was a venomous snake.

“Miss, are you okay?” Benson inquired.

“Just a prank call,” I said, trying to brush off the violated feeling the call elicited.

He shook his head and escorted me inside.

“Will you ask the cook for a tea tray?” I said. “Amy is coming to visit, and I have her favorite cookies.”

“Of course, Miss,” Benson replied. “In the living room?”

I nodded. “Thanks, Benson.”

He smiled and started for the kitchen. I walked back the long hallway, but before I made it to the living room, my phone rang again.

I didn’t recognize the number, but a man called me several vulgar names strung together and hung up.

By the time Amy arrived, I had turned off my phone.

“Why are you looking at your phone like that? she asked.

“The ‘I hate Daisy Wilson’ club kept calling,” I replied and waved the plate of Macarons at her. “Cookie?”

She hugged me. “This is nonsense. Can’t you sue those reporters and TV stations for telling lies about you?”

“Some are lies, And some of the things they say are phrased as their opinions,” I told her. “I’m not sure if I’d win a lawsuit.”

“I’d call a lawyer anyhow,” Amy advised. “You should at least try to scare them.”

“I’ll call one after we help a nice woman I know who’s going through a hard time,” I said. “I need your help to help her.”

“Sure,” Amy said. “What can I do?”

I explained about Lucy and the burglar, and Amy was willing to pretend to be a maid.

“I’ve got two yellow shirts that will be perfect for our disguises.” She grinned. “And we can use Dad’s van. It’s a plain white business van.”

“Perfect,” I said and reached for my phone.

“Whatcha doing?” Amy asked.

“I’m replacing my car,” I said.

After two phone calls, my new ride was on its way. I couldn’t wait to drive it. I poured more tea and another handful of macarons to celebrate.

In less than an hour, Benson was at the living room door to tell me I had a delivery. Amy and I rushed outside.

My new vehicle was being unloaded from a truck. After signing the paperwork, the metallic green Hummer pickup truck was all mine.

“I love it!” Amy squealed.

“Let’s get in,” I said.

We sat inside the truck and checked out all the controls. It was luxurious and practical.

“Uh-oh,” Amy said. “Victor looks surprised by your choice of vehicles.”

I looked up from the Hummer’s dashboard and saw Victor climbing out of the Lamborghini.

His stern expression was hard to read. He probably heard about the fire and was upset I had forgotten to call him.

I waved out the driver’s window. “Hi, honey. I had to get a new ride. There was a problem with the Mercedes.”

“I heard about it on the early news,” he said.

“I didn’t want to bother you at work,” I said. “I’ve been enough of a distraction to you lately.”

“Daisy, will you climb out of the truck?” Victor requested.

“I gotta go,” Amy said. “See you in the morning.”

After Amy left, I exited my new truck and faced my fiancé.

He pulled me into his arms. “I can’t stand you being in danger. I want to hurt whoever burned your car.”

I returned his embrace. “Do you like my new truck?” I asked.

“It’s fantastic,” he replied. “And it suits you.”

“Want to go for a ride?”

“You bet,” he chuckled.

The truck drove like a dream. It had a lot of power, and it would go anywhere. Victor and I took turns driving and put the first hundred miles on it before dinner.

Dinner was delicious. Victor and I discussed our future over steak tartare, potato soufflés, asparagus, and chocolate cake.

After we ate every bite, we went to the living room to watch the news. That was a mistake. It immediately dampened our mood.

A handful of alphas were filmed speaking out against me and the new college admissions laws.

After that, every major channel covered a rally that was being held in the city.

Victor put a hand to his forehead. “Is this about the new laws, too? Why can’t people be reasonable and discuss things these days? Everyone gets angry so easily.”

We watched a crowd grow until it covered half a block in the heart of Denhurst. Then a speaker stepped onto a temporary stage and picked up a microphone.

“We are here tonight to ask you to help us solve a problem,” the young Alpha male said. “To keep our rights as Alphas, Victor Klein must be removed from office.”

I gasped as Victor's hands balled into fists. He growled low in his throat before sitting forward toward the television.

“We didn’t choose him to run our government,” the young Alpha declared. “He was installed by the father of his fiancée, a spoiled girl who wants to ruin our lives.”

I was horrified as I listened to more lies and spin. I couldn’t believe everything was falling apart this quickly.

I took Victor’s hand in mine. “Darling, we must find a way to fight back before it’s too late.”