The Real Heiress Is Coming Back (Hannah Carter) novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55

This was not the Barnaby that Ronin knew. His Barnaby was the man who could tear enemies apart on black- ops missions, the ruthless businessman who showed no quarter.

He had deliberately seized the clan’s assets and was determined to crush the Thole family, directly opposing the patriarch’s wishes.

‘Mr. Thole is truly wasting his talent by not becoming an actor, Ronin thought wryly as he pushed himself up from the ground.

When he looked up, two pairs of eyes, plus those of a pig, were fixed intently upon him.

Meeting Barnaby’s murderous glare, he managed a weak smile. “Didn’t catch any of that. Please, don’t mind

me.”

That evening, on the top floor of Nexus Tower, Daisy stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows in a champagne-colored feathered gown, the city lights of Brynlock sprawling beneath her like a field of stars.

Behind her, the room had been prepared with flowers, wine, and candlelit glasses, everything set for the evening she had been waiting for.

“Daisy,” Lauren said as she approached with two flutes of champagne, “congratulations. You finally get to go on a date with the man you like.” She handed her one of the glasses.

“Oh, don’t start,” Daisy replied with a quiet, poised smile. She accepted the champagne, and they touched glasses before taking a sip.

When they finished, Lauren slipped a card into Daisy’s hand. “Make tonight count. With any luck, you’ll be marrying Barnaby before long.”

Daisy glanced down and realized it was a room key. A faint flush rose to her cheeks. “Lauren…”

“My dear, you can’t keep playing it too safe,” Lauren said, gently sweeping Daisy’s curled hair back so her neckline was more defined. “You’ve waited six years for him. You don’t need to wait another six. This is your chance.”

Daisy paused, torn for only a moment, before closing her fingers around the key.

Six years ago, Daisy had caught a fleeting glimpse of Barnaby aboard a cruise ship, and from that moment on, she fell helplessly in love.

It took considerable effort to learn who he was, the seventh son of the Thole family, long stationed with the military.

By the time he completed his service and returned, she had already left the country for further study. Their paths simply never crossed.

She had waited six years for tonight.

She was determined not to waste it, though her mother’s lifelong reminder echoed in her mind: a young woman must remain composed and never bring shame upon the family.

“Alright, it’s about time. I’ll leave you to it. Good luck,” Lauren said after checking the hour, then slipped out of

the suite.

Daisy looked down at the room key in her hand. A flicker of hesitation rose, but it was quickly overtaken by the quiet thrill building inside her.

She tucked the key away, refreshed her makeup in the restroom, and stepped out just as a waiter entered.

“Miss, Mr. Thole has arrived. He’s in the elevator coming up,” he said.

“Thank you.” Daisy tipped him discreetly and sent him off.

She then slipped into the stairwell, descended one floor, and took the other elevator back up, an arrangement meant to make her entrance seem casual rather than anticipatory.

The two elevators opened almost at once. Hers was a moment later, just enough for her to catch sight of Barnaby stepping out of the one beside it.

“Mr. Thole, what a coincidence. I’ve only just arrived,” she said, emerging with a warm, composed smile.

Barnaby paused, his gaze steady, as though trying to place her.

“I’m Daisy Reese, the one Mr. Edmund Baker mentioned. Please call me Daisy.” She offered her hand, poised and confident.

“Good evening, Ms. Reese.” Barnaby returned the handshake politely.

The formality made her flush with the faintest embarrassment.

“Is this a date or an interview?” A cool female voice cut in before she could reply.

Hannah, in a black camellia dress, stepped out of Barnaby’s elevator.

Her features were striking, her expression clear and distant; Ronin followed a pace behind her.

‘When did Barnaby start seeing anyone?’ Daisy wondered.

Unease pricked at her, though she kept her tone even. “And this is?”

“Just his secretary,” Hannah said offhandedly.

“You look incredibly young! Might I ask your name?” Daisy persisted, her tone sweetly probing.

“That’s really none of your concern.” Hannah’s gaze drifted to their still-clasped hands, a faint irritation stirring within her.

‘Are they shaking hands or holding hands?’ she wondered.

Daisy stood speechless, the silence stretching uncomfortably between them.

Barnaby, however, was more taken aback by Hannah volunteering anything at all, let alone in that tone.

‘Is she actually jealous?’ The thought amused him, a faint smile playing on his lips. Instead of releasing Daisy’s hand, he maintained the grip a moment longer than necessary.

“Your secretary is quite… distinctive, Mr. Thole,” Daisy remarked with a polished smile.

When she attempted to withdraw her hand, she found Barnaby wasn’t letting go, and that subtle smile on his face sent a flutter through her.

‘Does he feel the same way about me?’ she wondered.

Seizing the opportunity, she moved closer and linked arms with him, guiding them toward the private room.

Barnaby glanced at her hand on his arm with mild distaste, his brow furrowing slightly, yet his manners prevented him from shaking her off.

His gaze drifted back to Hannah following behind them, her face an unreadable mask.

He felt unexpectedly disappointed. What he couldn’t know was that beneath her calm exterior, Hannah was wrestling with growing irritation and an inexplicable reluctance to leave him alone with Daisy.

Upon entering the room, she was met with an intimate setup: a long table adorned with fresh flowers and crystal wine glasses, with only two chairs positioned opposite each other.

‘So much for evaluating medical techniques,’ she thought wryly. ‘This looks more like I’m here to observe his date.’

The sight deepened her annoyance. Noticing an adjoining sitting area, she fetched an extra chair and placed it squarely between the two positioned at the table.

“Don’t mind me,” she announced casually, putting in her earbuds and immersing herself in her phone game.

Daisy was taken aback by the secretary’s audacity.

She thought, ‘We’re here for a private conversation. Shouldn’t she wait outside like the other staff?’

But since Barnaby offered no objection, she held her tongue.

She couldn’t ignore how frequently his attention drifted toward his secretary, a clear sign this woman held some special significance in his eyes.

While most hosts would have dismissed such an intrusive employee, Daisy’s upbringing compelled her to maintain decorum.

She quietly requested an additional place setting for Hannah.

And so, what should have been a romantic evening for Daisy became instead a thoroughly awkward affair, thwarted by an unmistakable and unwelcome third wheel.

Out of the corner of her eye, Hannah watched Barnaby and Daisy engaged in an animated conversation. Her focus elsewhere, the error rate in her mobile game kept climbing, now hitting a staggering 50%.

A growing sense of irritation simmered within her, accompanied by a wave of self-reproach.

She had never intended to fully trust Barnaby, not while her quest for vengeance remained unfinished. Yet seeing him charm another woman stirred an unexpected bitterness in her heart.

‘First, he talks about marrying me, now he’s cozying up to someone else. What a hypocrite, she fumed silently.

Just as her frustration peaked, a notification flashed across her screen.

Piggy: [Boss, the Baker family still hasn’t responded to our price demand. It’s been 24 hours.]

Raven: [Did they refuse?]

Piggy: [No. They’re trying to hire another hacker through the mission board.]

Raven: [I see.]

Piggy: [Don’t worry. Nobody’s taking the job.]

Piggy: [Because I went ahead and posted your price in the comments.]

Piggy: [Pretty clever, right? You’re welcome!]

Raven: [Clever pig.]

Piggy: […]

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