The Billionaire's Lost Daughter They Humiliated the Wrong Woman

In my last life, I worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy family. Their son-in-law accused me of seducing him and stealing the jewelry he'd bought for his wife.

I had no way to defend myself. The court ordered me to pay a million dollars in damages.

But even that wasn't enough. The family's daughter sent debt collectors after me, intent on trafficking me overseas.

They chased me through the streets. I ran for my life, stumbled, and fell from a building.

By the time I reached the hospital, I was already dead.

After I died, my soul drifted beside them, and I overheard their conversation.

If I hadn't found out that Moira Dickerson was the real daughter Dad's been searching for all these years, I never would've bothered killing her!

Now that she's dead, I can finally relax.

I listened to Marie Gilbert's words, disbelief burning across my face, rage clawing at my chest until I wanted to tear them apart with my bare hands.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Five years in the past. And this time, I chose a different path. I built something of my own.

Five years later, I'd become a billionaire operating behind the scenes. Then a business partner invited me to a gala hosted by the Gilbert family. I tried to decline, but he insisted, so I went.

The moment I stepped into the banquet hall, Robert Henson, the Gilbert family's son-in-law, was already shouting for all to hear that I'd tried to seduce him and stolen his million-dollar necklace.

That's her! She just threw herself at me and stole my necklace!

Robert's voice rang through the hall.

Every pair of eyes in the room landed on me.

I scanned the crowd. My business partner was nowhere to be found.

I shook my head, then spoke, keeping my voice steadySir, you should be careful making accusations like that.

I just walked through the door. Before this moment, I've never even seen your face.

How could I have stolen anything from you?

The words had barely left my mouth before Robert fired backHow was it not you?

I ran into you right outside the hotel!

You came onto me the second you saw me!

He turned to Marie, his voice quickeningMarie, you know I only have eyes for you. I pushed her away immediately!

But when I came back inside, the gift I got you was gone!

She must have taken it while she was all over me!

Robert glared at me, eyes full of righteous fury. I gave him one look, nothing more.

In my last life, he'd done the exact same thing. Stood up and slandered me in front of everyone. Only back then, I'd just started working for the family. I had no power, no voice.

And in this life, Robert Henson hadn't changed at all.

I knew he and Marie must have investigated me long before tonight.

Your name is Moira Dickerson, correct?

Marie fixed her gaze on me, her voice cold and clippedYou work here as a waitress, don't you?

She stared me down, every syllable edged with iceHand over the necklace and turn yourself in. Otherwise, we won't be so polite about it.

I looked back at Marie, my expression flat, unmovedFirst of all, I never touched your man.

Second, I've never laid eyes on him before tonight.

I was invited to this gala as a guest.

The moment those words left my lips, laughter rippled through the room. Every guest, all at once.

Marie looked at me with a thin, mocking smileYou? A guest?

Do you have any idea who's on the guest list tonight?

My father organized this event. He's one of the wealthiest men in this city. Everyone here is a titan of industry.

Someone like you thinks she belongs at my father's table?

You're a waitress. The only reason you'd show up at a gala like this is to land yourself a rich husband.

Marie's voice rang with absolute certainty as the words left her mouth.

I stared back at her, my expression cold and flat.

Marie, I already told you. I'm here for the gala.

And I don't even know your husband. Why would I steal anything from him?

My voice was steady, measured.

But before the last syllable faded, Marie cut me off without hesitationSomeone hold her down. Right here, right now. I want her stripped bare so we can all see exactly where she's hiding my things.

The moment the order left her lips, her people moved toward me.

I looked at Marie, and something flickered in my eyes that I couldn't quite suppress.

The banquet hall was full. Guests milled about in every direction, champagne in hand, conversations half-paused.

She wanted to humiliate me right here, in front of all of them.

Marie, I was invited. Even if I had stolen something, it's not your place to handle it like this. Call the police if you want.

The words came out fast, sharper than I intended.

I turned, scanning the crowd behind me. My business partner, the one who'd invited me, still hadn't arrived.

Marie, I was invited by Kerry Rowe.

Bring him out here and everything will be clear.

A cold laugh slithered out of Marie's throatWho did you just say you want to see?

What, you couldn't seduce my husband so now you're going after Kerry Rowe?

He's the eldest son of the Rowe family. The most powerful name in the Capital City elite circle. Even my father speaks to him with respect.

And you, a nobody, think you can get your claws into a man like that?

Contempt dripped from every word, and she swept her gaze over me like I was something stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

Then she continuedBesides, Kerry just called. He's stuck in traffic and won't be here for another half hour.

You probably overheard my father's phone call with him and decided to use his name. Am I wrong?

Before I could respond, Marie closed the distance between us and slapped me across the face.

The blow landed hard enough to send me to the floor. My palms hit the marble, and pain split through my cheek like a crack through glass.

I swallowed the sting, forced my head up to look at her, and heard my own voice come out raw, urgentMarie, I told you, I did not go after your husband.

And I'm not a thief. I didn't take his necklace.

If you don't believe me, call Kerry Rowe yourselves!

I turned to the crowd, searching every face in the room.

I knew exactly what was happening. Marie and Robert had seen me and decided to pin this on me, fabricate the whole thing on the spot.

All I needed was for one person to make that call. Just one person to reach Kerry, and he could confirm who I was.

Once Kerry arrived, my identity would speak for itself.

But as my voice died away, not a single hand reached for a phone.

They just watched me. Every last one of them.

Their eyes gleamed with the quiet, passive thrill of spectators at someone else's ruin.

And in that silence, I understood. They weren't indifferent. They were afraid. Afraid of Marie, of the Gilbert name, of what crossing her would cost them.

I turned in a slow circle, scanning the room one more time, and realized Felix wasn't there either.

Look at this little tramp!

Still hoping someone's going to swoop in and save her!

Just look at that face. Cheap and desperate. You can practically smell it.

Marie watched me scan the crowd and threw her head back with a laughDon't let this little temptress fool you. Women like her only know one trick, and it's always the same pathetic game.

Laughter rippled through the hall. A few guests pointed openly, whispering behind cupped hands.

Several men pulled out their phones and angled them toward me, ready to record.

Marie, if you really suspect me, call the police and let them handle it.

Don't you dare lay a hand on me!

I stared at Marie and forced the words out as fast as I could.

She barely glanced at me, contempt dripping from every syllable. Excuse me? You throw yourself at my boyfriend, steal my things, and now you have the nerve to say I'm the one being unfair?

Before I could answer, she turned to the men pinning me down and barkedStrip her!

Let's see where this little tramp is hiding my property once there's nothing left to hide behind!

The bodyguards moved the instant she finished, their hands reaching for my clothes.

I twisted against their grip, shoutingMarie, you wouldn't dare!

Kerry Rowe invited me here to discuss a partnership with your father!

Are you really going to humiliate your family's business partner in front of everyone?

I locked eyes with her, my voice ringing across the hall.

Her father was wealthy, sure, but Kerry and I both moved in Capital City's elite circles. I wasn't about to cower before a man like Felix Gilbert.

Marie looked at me for a long moment, then burst out laughing.

You? A business partner?

What, you think batting your lashes at Kerry Rowe makes you his partner?

Take a good look at yourself!

She swept her gaze over me, lip curling.

Then she folded her arms and went onI've met plenty of women like you.

Any man with money, and you're already scheming how to sink your claws in.

Delusional enough to think they'd actually want you back.

Marie let out a cold laugh, then slapped me across the face.

Now hand over the necklace.

My head snapped to the side. I lifted it slowly, tasting copper, and fixed my eyes on hers.

Marie, I have never even met your boyfriend.

If you don't believe me, call the police and let them sort it out!

I'm telling you the truth. Kerry Rowe and I have a real business deal!

Keep this up, and you're the one who won't be able to walk it back!

The second the words left my mouth, Marie threw her head back and laughed.

You? A deal with Kerry Rowe?

Do you even know who he is? The Rowe heir. Top of the Capital City elite circle. And he'd partner with a scheming little tramp like you?

Oh, I bet the only 'partnership' you had in mind was between the sheets.

She sneered down at me and raised her voice so the entire room could hearStrip her. Every last stitch. I want to see for myself whether she's got my boyfriend's necklace on her.

Panic seized me. I wrenched around to face the crowd, screamingPlease, someone call the police!

I didn't steal her necklace!

She's doing this on purpose!

My voice cracked through the hall, but the instant I got the words out, Marie struck me again.

This time the blow split my lip. Blood pooled warm against my teeth.

Still not satisfied, she drove her stiletto heel down onto my hand.

The thin spike pierced my palm and the pain ripped through me, white-hot, so sharp I couldn't even scream.

Marie, I swear I don't have it. What do I have to do to make you believe me?

I turned to look up at her, my voice raw.

Easy. You say you don't have it? Then strip. Right here, in front of every guest in this room.

A shameless little tramp like you should enjoy putting on a show, shouldn't she?

I stared at Marie, panic clawing its way into my eyes, and my words tumbled out before I could stop themMarie, I never touched your boyfriend!

And I definitely don't have your necklace!

Go ahead and call the police. I'll cooperate with the investigation.

I looked straight at Marie and spoke fastAnd when Kerry Rowe gets here, you'll find out for yourself whether or not I'm his partner.

The moment those words left my mouth, Marie let out a cold laughYou really are a shameless little seductress, aren't you?

You're stalling because you've already moved the necklace, haven't you?

You're dragging this out so your accomplice can get away with it.

Before I could respond, she stepped forward and slapped me across the facePartner?

What makes you think you're anything?

My father has to beg Kerry Rowe for a chance to collaborate!

You don't even have the right to speak his name.

She punctuated the words with a kick.

It landed hard. I hit the floor and couldn't get back up.

The pain was so sharp my eyes blurred with tears. I turned my head toward the other guests, but not a single one of them moved.

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. They were the ones who had invited me here to discuss investments. Several of them had practically begged Kerry Rowe for the chance to work with me.

And now they stood there, watching me get beaten, without lifting a finger.

Marie Gilbert, because of what you've done, I refuse to discuss a single deal at this event!

Starting today, I won't invest a single dollar here!

I turned and shouted it at the entire room.

The guests laughed.

The loudest of all were Marie and Robert.

They looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

You? Invest?

A thief?

Marie's laughter rang through the hall. Her expression turned coldLooks like I need to teach you your first real lesson tonight.

She turned to the men behind herStrip her.

She's got a decent figure. Consider it entertainment for the guests.

And she definitely has an accomplice. Make her talk.

That necklace is worth over a million dollars. They'll try to move it.

Marie's two bodyguards had been waiting for the order.

The way they looked at me was already wrong.

One of them grabbed the fabric of my gown and started tearing.

I clutched at the dress with everything I had, thrashing to shake them off.

It didn't matter. Two grown men against me was no contest. They ripped harder.

My gown was shredding into strips.

Just as I was desperately trying to cover myself, a voice thundered from the entrance.

What the hell are you doing?

The shout cut through the room. Marie and Robert both went pale.

I turned and saw Kerry Rowe striding in alongside Felix Gilbert.

The second Kerry saw me, his expression changed.

He rushed over, shrugged off his jacket, and draped it around my shoulders in one swift motion.

Then he turned and fixed Felix Gilbert with a stareFelix. This is how you treat a business partner?

This is Moira Dickerson. My partner. The investor you've all been looking for.