Chapter 186
Daisy’s POV:
I stared out the window of our family’s Bentley as we glided through
Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Father had announced this morning that we would visit Margaret
Bailey to thank her for raising Audrey.
The mere mention of Audrey’s name still sent waves of anxiety
through me, but I’d gotten better at masking it with a pleasant smile.
“We’re almost there,” Father said, adjusting his custom suit.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably beside me.
“Are you sure this is appropriate? We haven’t even properly
reconnected with Audrey yet.”
“It’s the right thing to do,” Mother interjected.
“Margaret Bailey raised our daughter for years. We need to express
our gratitude.”
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I hadn’t planned on joining them today.
But when I heard they were visiting the Baileys, I insisted on coming
along, claiming I wanted to thank them for raising Audrey.
The truth was, I needed to make sure Eleanor didn’t reveal our
arrangement.
If my family discovered I’d paid her thirty million dollars to keep
Audrey away from them, everything would fall apart.
The car stopped in front of an elegant building.
My heart began to race as I finally realized where we were.
A sleek black Mercedes pulled up behind us.
The door opened, and Eleanor Bailey stepped out, her eyes widening
as she recognized me.
“Cole family,” she said with forced politeness, then looked directly at
- me. “Miss Cole, what a surprise.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“You know each other?” Robert asked, his sharp gaze moving between
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- us.
Before I could stammer out a response, Eleanor’s eyes widened with
recognition as she looked at my parents.
“You must be Robert and Sara Cole!”
Eleanor exclaimed, her tone shifting to enthusiastic deference.
“I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced, but the Cole family is
featured so often in the society pages. It’s truly an honor to meet you
both in person.”
I exhaled slowly, grateful for the momentary reprieve.
Thank God Eleanor’s quick–witted enough to switch tactics,
Mother and Father exchanged glances before giving Eleanor polite
but noticeably cold nods.
They had clearly researched the Bailey family before this visit and
weren’t impressed by Eleanor’s fawning.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Mrs. Bailey, I wonder if you remember me? I visited your home a few
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days ago.”
Eleanor’s smile tightened for just a fraction of a second before
returning full force.
“Of course, I remember you, Mr. Cole. A man with your presence isn’t
easily forgotten.”
“Then you should be well aware of why we’re here today,” Ethan
replied, his voice carrying an edge that made me nervous.
Eleanor’s eyes flicked briefly to me.
“Why don’t we continue this conversation inside?” she said smoothly, gesturing toward the building’s entrance.
Father nodded curtly. “That would be appropriate. We came to see
Margaret, not to create a spectacle in your lobby.”
We followed Eleanor into the elevator and up to their penthouse
apartment.
The tension was palpable as we were ushered into their tastefully
decorated living room.
Eleanor’s eyes immediately fixed on the wrapped package Ethan was
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carrying.
“How thoughtful of you to bring a gift,” she gushed, reaching for it.
“You really shouldn’t have gone to such trouble.”
“This isn’t for you, Mrs. Bailey,” Ethan stated firmly, placing the
package on the coffee table.
“It’s a token of appreciation for Margaret Bailey.”
Eleanor’s smile faltered momentarily before she recovered.
“Oh! Well, I’m afraid Margaret isn’t here at the moment. She’s been
feeling under the weather lately and went to a health retreat in the
Berkshires. Such unfortunate timing!”
Just then, footsteps sounded on the staircase, and George Bailey
appeared, looking confused at the gathering in his living room.
“Eleanor? I didn’t know we were expecting company today,” he said.
“George, darling,” Eleanor trilled with exaggerated enthusiasm, “we
have the honor of hosting the Cole family!”
George’s demeanor changed instantly.
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He rushed forward, hand extended.
“Mr. Cole! What an unexpected pleasure! Your reputation in the
r..
financial world precedes you. I’ve long admired your work with
emerging markets.”
Father shook his hand briefly but didn’t return the warmth.
“May I ask what brings you to our humble home?”
George inquired, glancing nervously between my father and Eleanor.
“Especially if you’re looking for Margaret?”
“We came to thank Margaret Bailey,” Father replied, “for raising our
daughter, Audrey Lane, all these years.”
The words fell like stones in the suddenly silent room.
George’s smile froze on his face, and Eleanor’s complexion turned
ashen.
I caught Eleanor’s eye and subtly shook my head, trying to signal her
to be careful about what she revealed.
Eleanor misinterpreted my warning, taking it as encouragement to
maintain their denial.
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“Your daughter?” she forced a laugh.
“I’m afraid there’s been some terrible misunderstanding. Audrey
couldn’t possibly be your child.”
“How dare you continue to deny it?” Mother snapped, her composed
socialite demeanor cracking to reveal the rage beneath.
“We have confirmed it with DNA testing. My daughter’s blood runs in
her veins, not yours.”
Mother stood up, her hands trembling slightly.
“Do you
think we haven’t learned how you treated her? How you cast
her aside the moment you discovered she wasn’t your biological
child? How you manipulated her into a marriage with Samuel West
purely to save your failing finances?”
Her voice rose with each accusation, and I sank deeper into my seat,
stunned by the intensity of her anger.
I’d never seen Mother lose control like this.
Eleanor’s eyes darted frantically toward ‘me, silently pleading for
intervention.
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My heart raced as I noticed Ethan watching this exchange with
narrowed eyes.
“Excuse me,” I said suddenly, rising to my feet. “Could I use your
restroom?”
Eleanor seemed to understand immediately. “Of course, Miss Cole, Let
me show you the way.”
I avoided making eye contact with anyone, as I followed Eleanor out
of the living room.
The moment we were safely in the hallway, Eleanor pulled me into a
small study and shut the door.
“Why didn’t you tell me they already confirmed she’s their daughter?”
she hissed, her fingernails digging into my skin.
“You’ve put me in an impossible position!”
“I didn’t know they were coming here today,” I whispered back
furiously.
“I only tagged along to make sure you wouldn’t expose our
arrangement!”
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“Well, it’s a disaster now, isn’t it?”
Eleanor’s eyes were wild with fear.
“The Cole family could destroy us! I was just following your
instructions–keeping Audrey away from them. You need to help me!”
“Help you? I can barely take care of myself now,” I shot back.
“This is your problem, not mine.”
Eleanor’s expression hardened.
“One word from me about our thirty–million–dollar arrangement, and
your perfect family will know exactly what kind of daughter they’ve
been raising.”
