143 The Jackpot
Damian’s POV
That’s my mom’s necklace.
The one and only in the whole world.
Mom died in a car crash twenty–some years ago, along with my baby sister. Or so they told us. But they never found my sister’s body. I mean, sure the car fell off a cliff and burned, and sure there might have been some wild animals. Even Mom’s body was not intact.
But I never believed them. They all think I’m doing this because I blame myself. I do blame myself, and Mom’s death was on me. But that’s not the reason.
A person doesn’t just disappear into thin air. Nor would a sapphire.
And I’m looking at both of them right now, with my own eyes!
“What are you doing?!” I grunt at Jack Fuller, only to realize it’s not my place to yell. Sure it’s his daughter- – well, adopted daughter –but it doesn’t mean he has the right to do such a thing!
“Who are you?” The old man frowns at me. Seriously, I barely meet people who doesn’t know their place in the world holding such wealth still. They usually perish fast.
“Dad! This is Damian Venderbilt, heir of the Venderbilt Empire, the one in the capital! You know, the real deal…” Gabriel Fuller laughs awkwardly at his father, “Also, He is the brilliant lawyer you were meeting today. You came home all of a sudden, and Damian came here to accommodate your schedule…”
Dad wanted me to take over his title, but I started my share of dealing with the law way too early than most, and I stayed in it, partly for my mom and my baby sister. I entered law school early and finished faster than any of my classmates because I knew what I needed to do–
I started up a law firm in every city that Mom had been to, and I searched for my sister in that city.
Finally, after the fourth city, I hit the jackpot!
It wasn’t easy, but it was easier than most — Mom’s blood was very special, and so was mine and my sisters. It’s like the birthmarks that Mom gave us. I knew she was alive, and I knew I could find her.
To think I almost didn’t come for this arrogant man who took a rain check at the last minute. Now I’m only grateful that I did.
“I’m sorry,” The old man finally snaps out of it, glancing around with an apologetic look, “I left my daughter in charge, but I didn’t know she would hold a party. My apology for the mess…”
Tobserve him carefully. I don’t buy his bullshit apologize. He might feel awkward, but definitely not
because of a “surprise of a party“. He is hiding something.
Could it be…my sister? I don’t know if I’m too paranoid, but I feel like his weird attitude is caused by my comment and a simple outburst. Did he realize my identity just because of this? Impossible.
It’s okay,” I nod calmly, “I don’t mind a party, but maybe we can have our talk in a quieter room?”
Jack Fuller glances in a certain direction, and I follow his sight. A room on the second floor that no one is
1/2
+25 BONUS
143 The Jackpot
touching His study, maybe?
“I’m deeply sorry, but…” Jack Fuller trips his own temples with one hand, “I had a bad headache today. I thought I could tough it through, but I don’t think I can do it now.”
He knew! Instantly I realize–
He doesn’t want to give up my baby sister.
I understand.
No one can accept the news of their adopted daughter’s real family suddenly appearing in front of them.
He raised her as his own daughter. From how she threw herself into him when he came back, she might not even know that she was adopted. She loves him, and she is treated like his own daughter.
I didn’t like how he could raise his hand at her but, I think it was because of my mom’s necklace. He slapped her when he saw the necklace. My sister didn’t seem to realize what it was, so she went around his stuff when he wasn’t home, and thought she could just wear daddy’s hidden jewelry?
She is loved here.
I can wait. I have waited for twenty years, and a few more days won’t hurt.
Half of the wealth of the Vanderbilt empire belongs to her. It’s fine even if she remains a Fuller in the end because that would only mean that she will be loved by two families.
