After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 201

“What’s his name? What does he even do?” Shirley couldn’t hide the disgust in her voice when she asked about her biological father.

“His name is Garnett. He lives out on the west side. He doesn’t have a real job… honestly, he just gets by with my help,” Alice’s voice trailed off, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment.

A look of pure contempt flickered across Shirley’s face. Of course. Useless. Just as she’d always imagined.

So this was the man who’d given her life. The kind of broke, pathetic loser she’d always despised most.

“Tell him not to bother looking for me. I don’t want to see him.” Shirley grabbed her bag. “I have to get back to work.”

As she watched Shirley leave, Alice finally let out a long, shaky breath. The secret she’d kept hidden for twenty-four years was finally out.

In her car, Shirley slammed her fist against the steering wheel. How did her life end up like this? Why did she have to be born into something so humiliating?

Growing up, she’d always envied Catherine. Catherine, who was raised right in the heart of the Blair family, who got to be Ms. Blair for real. Shirley hated being the one in the shadows, the illegitimate daughter everyone whispered about. She used to think that was the worst thing. Now, the truth was even crueler. She wasn't even that.

Her pride, the thing she’d guarded most fiercely, just crumbled. From the day she’d set foot in the Blair house, she’d done everything she could to outshine Catherine, to show the world that even a so-called illegitimate daughter could be just as good. Better, even.

But now, everything she’d fought for felt like a joke.

She had barely stepped back into the office when she heard the news: Waldo was planning to buy out The Blair Group.

For a moment, Shirley just stood there, stunned. Why would Waldo do that?

Was it because of the video she sent him? Did that push him over the edge?

She needed answers. Without hesitating, she hurried straight to Waldo’s office and knocked before letting herself in.

If Waldo owned The Blair Group, it would be safe. Lawrence and Catherine wouldn’t stand a chance. And if she could win Waldo over, everything the Blair family had would be hers.

Waldo said nothing.

Shirley leaned in a little closer. “Waldo, my dad’s not in good health, and Catherine doesn’t care about the family business. There’s no point in letting The Blair Group fall into Lawrence’s hands. Better to give it to someone who can actually handle it.”

A dark look flashed in Waldo’s eyes. He let out a short, bitter laugh. “You’re right. I’m buying The Blair Group to remind certain people who they really are.”

There was no mistaking who he meant. Lawrence.

Shirley’s lips curled into a sly smile. “You know, my dad’s really been favoring Lawrence lately.”

“He’s just putting on a show,” Waldo said, waving it off. He had already dug up everything there was to know about Lawrence. Every secret, every trick, right there in front of him.