The Unwanted Daughter's Secret Billionaire Identity

f the dining room, a high-pitched screech that made the fine hairs on Ophelia's arms stand up. She didn't look up from her plate,

icked over Ophelia's sweater-a charcoal wool blend that had seen better days-and a tiny, almost impercept

the room. She twirled a forkful of pasta, her eyes wide with feigned innocenc

but the expression didn't reach her eyes. It was

Ophelia said, her voic

ide pocket of his suit jacket, and he pulled out a thick, cream-colored envelope. He placed it on the marble tab

er stillness was a weapon, and she knew how to use it. Ric

es. He looked at the centerpiece instead. "To help you get settled. Your...

f her wine. "Farmers, or something equally tragic. You'll need every penny in th

could feel the paper beneath her skin, cool and crisp. She didn't hurry. She sli

check. One hundre

th expectation. She wanted gratitude. She

dge of the check with

ying the grateful orphan," Ophelia said, her tone b

hat followed

the silverware jumping. "You ungratef

absolute, a frozen lake that Richard suddenly realized

nk against her mother, peeking at Ophelia throu

the hardwood floor-a harsh, gri

ent," she said. "I'll

niture," Susan spat. "None o

more than money, Susan,

y, rhythmic. Behind her, she heard Susan start to curse, a low stream

mallest room in the manor, the one with the dr

truly owned. She didn't go for her clothes. Instead, she walked to the bookshelf and pulled out a thick

ining of the suitcase, her fi

t. She pulled it out. The scr

swered

s Arthur. His voice was shaking slight

Arthur," Ophelia w

rang out, shrill and mock

unds. She turned back to the room and began tossing heavy book

ck clicked. Mia stood in the doorway

o the room. She sat on Ophelia's bed, bouncing slightly, claiming the space. "God,

fold a sweater, her b

wastebasket by the desk, sending

s by the suitcase, the next she was looming over Mia. She didn't t

wash off," Ophelia said. Her voice was a low hum,

ack, nearly falling off the bed. Th

to regain her composure, smoothing her skirt with

mming the door so ha

ent back to the suitcase, checking the lining one last t

slipped the check between pages 402 an

the darkness, her eyes were

," she w