The grand ballroom of the Wilson estate shimmered under the golden glow of chandeliers. Tonight was my night—my eighteenth birthday, the moment I stepped fully into my own. The weight of my mother's legacy, of everything Cassandra had tried to take from me, had never felt heavier. But tonight, I was ready.
Guests milled about, sipping champagne and exchanging pleasantries, but there was an underlying tension in the air. Cassandra stood near the staircase with Delphine, both of them acting as if they still held control over this house, over my future. They were laughing, smiling, pretending. But their reign was about to end.
As I made my way through the crowd, I felt a familiar presence beside me. "Well, well, you certainly know how to make an entrance."
I turned, and there he was—Darren Biltmore. He looked sharper than I remembered, his sandy brown hair slightly tousled, his green eyes full of something I couldn't quite place.
"Darren," I said, a genuine smile touching my lips. "I wasn't sure if you'd be here."
"Couldn't miss it," he said, his voice warm. "It's been too long. You look... incredible."
I felt a warmth spread through me. Darren had always been different—steady, dependable, the kind of person who didn't just say things to flatter. I appreciated that about him. "Thank you. It's good to see you."
"I heard you've been dealing with a lot," he said, his expression turning serious. "I won't pretend to know everything that's going on, but if you need someone in your corner, I'm here."
I met his gaze, feeling the sincerity in his words. "I might take you up on that."
Before he could respond, a hush fell over the crowd. I turned to see Mr. Grimes arriving—flanked by a group of sharply dressed men and women. The board members of my mother's company.
Cassandra's smile stiffened, and for the first time that evening, I saw something in her eyes I had never seen before. Fear.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Grimes announced, his voice carrying across the room. "I want to extend my personal congratulations to Elise Wilson on her eighteenth birthday. But tonight, we celebrate more than just a milestone—we recognize the rightful heir of Bellamy Enterprises."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Cassandra's face darkened. Delphine looked between us, confusion morphing into panic.
Before either of them could speak, I felt a hand on my arm. I turned to see Alaine Grimes-McNeal, her expression unreadable. "Come with me, Elise. We need to talk."
I followed her into a quieter corner of the room, my mind racing. "What's going on?"
She crossed her arms. "I should have told you sooner, but I had to be careful. I've been a silent partner in Bellamy Enterprises since your mother's passing. She trusted me to ensure that Cassandra never got her hands on the company."
Shock coursed through me. "You've been blocking her this entire time?"
Alaine nodded. "She made several attempts—convincing your father to sign over control, coercing board members to back her. But as a silent partner, I had veto power, and I used it every single time. She thought she had everything lined up, but she underestimated just how much your mother prepared for this."
I exhaled slowly, my mind catching up. "So everything she's done... was for nothing."
Alaine smirked. "Exactly."
Relief crashed over me, but before I could fully process it, another voice interrupted. "Elise, I need to speak with you. Now."
I turned to see my father, Timothy Wilson, his expression unusually serious. I glanced at Alaine, who nodded in encouragement before stepping back into the crowd.
"What is it, Dad?"
Timothy's gaze flickered toward Cassandra and Delphine, who were watching from across the room. "I've had my suspicions for a while. Cassandra's behavior never sat right with me. So, I did some digging of my own."
My stomach twisted. "What did you find?"
He clenched his jaw. "Cassandra orchestrated everything. Our marriage, her position in this family—everything was about securing control over Bellamy Enterprises. But it's worse than that, Elise. Delphine... isn't my daughter."
The air rushed out of my lungs. "What?"
"She lied to me," he said, his voice full of quiet fury. "She led me to believe Delphine was mine so she could manipulate her way into our lives. She wanted to ensure that her daughter had a claim to the company, knowing full well that you were always meant to inherit it."
My hands clenched into fists. "And now we have proof."
Timothy nodded. "Enough to expose her and strip her of any influence. She played the long game, Elise, but she's finally lost."
I turned, my gaze locking onto Cassandra's. She saw the shift in my expression—knew something had changed. She straightened, feigning confidence, but there was a flicker of desperation in her eyes.
I stepped forward, my voice carrying across the room. "Cassandra, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The crowd parted, all eyes turning toward her. The color drained from her face, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Timothy stepped forward. "Don't bother lying. We know everything. You manipulated me, deceived me, and used our marriage as a power move. And Delphine? She isn't even my child."
Gasps rippled through the room. Delphine turned to Cassandra, her own face twisting in shock. "Mom—what is he talking about?"
Cassandra's mask cracked. "Delphine, I—"
"You lied to me?" Delphine's voice wavered, betrayal etched into every syllable. "My whole life, you told me I belonged here. That this was my family. Was any of it real?"
Cassandra reached for her, but Delphine recoiled. For the first time, Delphine looked truly lost.
Mr. Grimes cleared his throat. "Cassandra, as of this moment, you are being removed from all positions within Bellamy Enterprises. Your fraudulent actions have been documented, and you will be facing legal repercussions. Security will escort you off the property."
Two security guards stepped forward. Cassandra's composure shattered. "You can't do this! This is my home!"
I met her gaze head-on. "No, Cassandra. This was never yours."
She turned to Delphine, desperate. "Sweetheart, tell them—"
But Delphine, for once, had no words for her mother.
Security took Cassandra by the arms, leading her toward the exit. She struggled, but it was useless. The queen had been dethroned.
The silence in the room was deafening. Then, slowly, applause broke out. First from Alaine, then from the board members, then from nearly everyone else in attendance.
Darren leaned in, his voice low. "That was quite the show."
I exhaled, the tension in my shoulders finally easing. "It was long overdue."
He smiled. "So, what now?"
I glanced around the room, taking in everything. My mother's company was secure. Cassandra was gone. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe.
I turned back to Darren and smiled. "Now? Now, I live my life on my own terms."