Chapter 49

A party was full swing in the bar. The booming music vibrated through the walls.

A crowd encircled Joyce, lavishing her with praise.

"Joyce, you're incredible! Please, look out for me in the future! If you could just let me use a little corner of your studio to sell some essential oils, I'd be set for life!"

"Hey, who said you could call dibs first? Joyce, we're friends, right? Don't forget about me! You've got three whole floors. Let me open a shop on one! When I hit it big, I'll split the profits with you!"

"Truly, Joyce is something else! Just her presence outshines girls from half the wealthy families here!"

"Exactly! You guys don't even know how much Caiden cares for her. He spoils her rotten!"

"Yeah, so what if she disrupted Daniela's wedding and snagged her man? Even though Daniela heads Elite Lux now, she still has to cede those floors to you. And we're not talking about just any floors-these are premium, top-tier spots! Joyce, you're living the dream!"

With that, Joyce flashed a smug grin. "Of course. My family adores me the most. And Daniela? She's irrelevant. All of the Harper family's assets will end up with me eventually. Even the projects Daniela's pouring her heart into now-those will be mine, too.Dad always says that meeting me and my mom was the best thing in his life. We brought a joy to his world that he never knew before. He even says that every time he sees Daniela, he's reminded of his her mother and feels utterly repulsed. So what if Daniela puts on a tough front? She's nothing compared to me!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, raising their glasses in a toast.

"A toast to Joyce! The future head of the Harper family!"

Joyce raised her glass high, her laughter booming through the room. "Cheers!"

This raucous moment was caught on video and quickly went viral online.

That night, Joyce racked up over four million dollars in charges at the bar.

When Caiden saw the credit card alert, he was astounded,leaping from his bed in disbelief.

Convinced the card had been stolen, he immediately phoned the police.

Meanwhile, Joyce was slowly coming to, groggily trying to sit up from the couch.

She felt something cold and wet beneath her and looked down-her body stiffened instantly.

A glaring red stain marred the sofa, jolting her fully awake.

In a panic, she scrambled into her skirt. As she looked up, she caught a glimpse of someone darting past the doorway.

"Stop right there!" she yelled.

But the figure was gone. Fuzzy memories from the night before flickered through her mind-she remembered clinging to a man in the dim light of the bar, kissing him, and noticing a small birthmark on the back of his neck.

Joyce rushed out of the private room, her heart pounding. Outside, her so-called friends lingered,equally disheveled and hungover.

They hadn't left. They were all hanging around,hoping to capitalize on her newfound status related to the Luxor Tower-a chance none wanted to miss.

Joyce quickly tried to compose herself and left the bar, only to find herself facing a group of police officers at the door.

Behind them, an irate Caiden and a distressed Katrina approached rapidly.

"Officer, there's been a mistake!" Caiden exclaimed,desperation in his voice. "My card must have been stolen! My daughter doesn't drink-she's never had alcohol in her life-"

His protest halted abruptly as he caught sight of Joyce.

There she stood, disheveled and comical in appearance, with her hair a mess, eyelid stickers dangling precariously, and the family credit card dangling from her fingers.

The words froze in his throat.

Instead, his mind churned with a single thought."What a disgrace!"

Still, he forced himself to swallow the insult,holding back his simmering anger. Today was her big store opening. Four million? It was nothing.

Caiden clenched his fists tightly, the tension in his jaw betraying his struggle to maintain composure.

Katrina went to great lengths to ensure Joyce's store opening looked grand, including renting several luxury cars to form an impressive convoy to the Luxor Tower.

During the ride, she placed a reassuring hand on Caiden's chest, patting it lightly to calm him. "Honey,don't let it get to you. It's nothing to stress over. We'll earn it all back in no time. Think about it-business is all about connections. Sometimes, you have to spend a little to make friends!"

Caiden exhaled heavily, attempting to let her words soothe him. Then his gaze shifted to the back row,where two of Joyce's self-proclaimed "best friends"sat.

Their appearances were jarring.

One wore mismatched,ripped clothing that gave the impression she'd stumbled out of a haunted house.

The other sported multiple lip piercings that made Caiden wince.

These were her connections?

The two began chattering obnoxiously. "Joyce,remember last night? You promised I could have space on the 18th floor to sell my essential oils!"

Caiden squeezed his eyes shut, the dull throb of a headache starting to build.

When they finally arrived at the Luxor Tower,Caiden stepped out of the car, his irritation barely hidden.But then his eyes landed on Daniela.

She stood there, draped in an elegant Elite Lux early-spring couture outfit, radiating refinement with every movement. Though it was not yet 10 o'clock in the morning, she had already finalized a major deal. Her poised, professional smile shone as she saw her client off with a courteous goodbye.

Her assistant approached with a pile of documents,which she signed with practiced ease, her grace and composure unwavering.

Her every action exuded calm authority, the undeniable presence of someone destined to lead.

For a brief moment, Caiden straightened his posture,puffing out his chest. This was the epitome of a Harper heiress!

The shame he'd carried earlier began to ease,replaced by a faint sense of pride.

Joyce's friends got out of the car to see Daniela speaking with her client, her poise and polished demeanor shining like a flawless diamond.

"Wow! Joyce, your sister's really stepped it up. She's so classy now!"

"Of course! She's the CEO of Elite Lux. It doesn't get any classier than that!"

"No, no, no. That outfit only works because Daniela is the real deal-a genuine heiress. Put it on a fake heiress, and it'd just look tacky and completely out of place."