Chapter 62
Dahlia buried her face against Valencia's shoulder and let out a muffled acknowledgment.
She lifted her head, wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and forced an obedient smile. "I understand. Lucinda was right. I said too much. I'll be more careful from now on."
Valencia stroked her hair affectionately. "You're such a good girl. Too good sometimes."
Dahlia shook her head. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, her eyes brightened slightly. "Mommy, I have an idea. Lucinda came back and immediately took over Ridgeway Tech. She's managing it so well. I want to learn from her. Don't we still have a few other companies? Could I try managing one? I want to learn from Lucinda and keep myself busy. That way I won't overthink things all day."
She spoke earnestly, her eyes glowing with anticipation.
Valencia's smile faltered. She instinctively glanced at Wesley.
Wesley set down the documents in his hand. After a moment of silence, his tone left no room for argument. "Dahlia, it's not that I won't let you try. You've never been exposed to this kind of work. Running a company isn't child's play. Your sister spent years out there training herself—her foundation is different. If you really want to learn, start from the ground up. Shadow a professional manager and observe."
Valencia quickly chimed in, her tone gentler. "Your father's right. You've always studied the arts. Business is exhausting, and I can't bear to see you suffer. Just focus on what you love. This family doesn't need you to worry about money."
Dahlia's smile didn't waver. In fact, it grew even sweeter. "Mommy's right. I was thinking too simplistically. I'll just focus on my designs and not cause any trouble for you both."
She said goodnight obediently and turned to head upstairs.
Her steps were light, her spine straight.
When she reached the second-floor landing, safely out of sight from the living room, the smile shattered from her face.
Why could Lucinda manage the company, but she couldn't?
What had Lucinda learned during those twenty years away?
What had she learned during her twenty years in this house?
In the end, she didn't even have the right to try.
It all came down to one thing: Lucinda was their biological daughter.
No matter how well Dahlia performed, in her parents' eyes, she was just an adopted daughter.
She gritted her teeth, strode into her room, and slammed the door shut behind her.
She flopped onto the bed, grabbed her phone, and typed rapidly.
[You there?]
Less than ten seconds later, a reply came. [Yeah. What's up?]
Dahlia stared at the familiar profile picture—a lazy white cat. The injustice she'd been holding in found an outlet and came flooding out.
This person was an online friend she'd known for years, someone who always treated her well and always took her side. Dahlia trusted her completely.
Her fingers flew across the screen as she recounted the entire evening. [She did it on purpose! She humiliated me in front of Mom and Dad! I told them I wanted to help manage the company, and they shut me down immediately. Then they said she spent twenty years out there training and has a foundation. What foundation? She grew up in some tiny place—what could she possibly have? It's only because she's their biological daughter!]
A message came back quickly. [You're right. You can't change blood ties. She's their biological daughter. The Douglases will always favor her. No matter how hard you try, you won't win.]
Dahlia stared at those words. The last flicker of hope in her heart was doused like cold water over a flame.
Her fingers froze on the screen. She didn't know what to say.
Another message appeared. [But have you thought about this—the Douglas family isn't your only path.]
Dahlia froze. [What do you mean?]
[The Lancaster family. Reginald. You can't win at the Douglas family, so change battlefields. Reginald is the head of the Lancaster family. He's the one who can truly turn your life around. If you win him over, does it matter what the Douglases think of you?]
Dahlia stared at those words. Her eyes slowly began to light up.
Another message followed. [Your sister might be adored at the Lancaster Estate, but that's just Hayden's favoritism. Hayden doesn't decide who Reginald marries—Reginald does. What you need to do is make Reginald choose you, not her.]
Dahlia's heartbeat quickened.
She typed out a line, deleted it, and finally sent just one sentence. [I get it.]
The reply was a smiling emoji.
Dahlia pressed her phone to her chest, stared at the ceiling, and slowly smiled.
So what if her parents favored Lucinda? So what if Lucinda was their biological daughter?
If she married into the Lancaster family and became Reginald's wife, the entire Douglas family would have to look up to her.
She rolled over, opened her contacts, and let her gaze rest on Reginald's number.
Yes. She needed to find an opportunity—make Reginald notice her.
The next morning, during work hours.
Lucinda pushed open the gate of the Douglas Estate. The black Maybach was already parked in its usual spot.
Reginald leaned against the car door, holding a paper bag. When he saw her, his eyes lit up.
He strode over and held the bag out to her.
Lucinda glanced down. Inside were several delicate pastries—butter croissants, blueberry scones, a yogurt cup, and a cup of latte with just the right temperature.
All her favorites.
She had no idea when he'd figured out her tastes.
"Eat in the car."
He opened the passenger door and held his hand over the top of the frame.
Lucinda ducked inside and took out a croissant, biting into it.
The flaky crust melted in her mouth. The rich, buttery aroma spread slowly across her tongue.
Her eyes narrowed slightly in satisfaction. She took another bite.
Reginald watched her, a smile tugging at his lips that he couldn't suppress.
The car stopped in front of the Ridgeway Tech building.
Lucinda pushed open the door. Reginald's voice came from behind her. "I'll pick you up after work."
She didn't look back. She just raised her hand in a casual wave—an acknowledgment.
He sat in the car, watching that composed figure walk into the building until she disappeared completely. Only then did he start the engine and drive away.
Lucinda crossed the lobby and had just reached the elevators when she heard the sound of dress shoes clicking against marble behind her.
"Ms. Wipere."
A man in his forties approached from the side, dressed in an impeccably tailored navy suit with a Ridgeway Tech badge pinned to his chest.
Joseph Miller. Vice President of the company. One of Kaida's people.
His gaze swept over Lucinda, then flicked toward the Maybach that had just driven off. A knowing smile tugged at his lips. "Ms. Wipere is so young, yet already so well-versed in workplace dynamics."
His tone was casual, almost indifferent. "Having powerful backers certainly gets results faster than working your way up the hard way."
The elevator dinged open.
Lucinda withdrew her hand from the button, turned around, and looked Joseph square in the face.
When she spoke, her voice dropped the temperature in the hallway. "Mr. Miller, did the company hire you to observe who drives me to work?"
Joseph's smile froze.
The elevator doors slid shut behind her. She didn't spare him another glance.
Joseph stared at her retreating figure. His smile slowly faded.
This little upstart—arrogant from day one. Now she dared to speak to him like that.
Just wait. He'd make sure she learned her lesson.