Harkness saw me hesitate. Turning to the staff,
he said, “Listen up, this woman missed her
chance to be my wife because she failed my
little test. Poor people are just blind to a good
deal. A golden opportunity in their hands and
they throw it away.”
Some of the other attendees, barely clinging to
the bottom of the wealth list, recognized
Harkness and chimed in, eager to brown–nose.
11:47
<
3500
(85)
“She really screwed up. Losing a catch like Mr.
Covington must sting.”
“Heard they dated for four years in college.
How do you fumble that kind of luck?”
Harkness‘ expression suddenly darkened.
Back in college, he’d pursued me relentlessly.
We’d both hid our wealth, living like ordinary
students for four years. I’d endured his little
games, working odd jobs, donating blood,
losing friends, getting hurt, giving up my chance
at advanced studies…
Then, I discovered he was faking being poor. All
the obstacles I faced were meticulously
engineered by him.
He showered Shannon with gifts, cars, and
houses.
Disgusted, I’d refused his final test and left the
<
Oblivious to Harkness‘ change in mood, the
hangers–on kept piling on the insults.
He snapped, his voice cold. “Enough. Get her
out of here. I don’t want to see her.”
The staff didn’t need a second invitation. They
moved in, hands outstretched.
I shook them off, raising my voice. “Get your
hands off me! I’m here representing Lincoln
Valentine, the real estate magnate. I’m his
daughter!”
A wave of mocking laughter rippled through the
room. Shannon covered her mouth, sneering.
“Lincoln’s daughter graduated from Stanford
and has basically taken over the entire
Valentine empire. The only thing you two have
in common is the last name. You’re a nanny!
How dare you impersonate her? It’s pathetic! I
might consider hiring you to look after me and
Harkness’s kids someday.”
<
I fired back, “We’ll see if you can even get
pregnant. Besides, do you even have a job
besides clinging to a man’s wallet?”
I struck a nerve. Her smile faltered. She
desperately wanted to get pregnant and solidify
her place in Harkness‘ family, but too many
past abortions had left her infertile. She’d been
downing herbal remedies, desperate for a baby.
Shannon’s face twisted with rage. She
screamed at the staff, “Are you deaf? Get her
out of here now!”
