STOLEN LEGACY: The Heiress's Revenge

A Dangerous First Day

Chapter 10

Liora’s POV

“What exactly do you mean?” I asked, but she ignored me and slid a brand-new, latest-model phone onto the table.

“Your mother asked me to give this to you,” she said flatly.

I reached for it, but her voice stopped me mid-motion.

“Don’t even dare. From now on, the phone belongs to me,” she added.

My eyes widened in disbelief. Instinctively, I snatched it back, earning a low, wicked chuckle from her.

“You don’t know me, do you?” she asked, a sly smile curling on her lips.

“And you don’t know who I am, or what I’m capable of,” I warned.

Without hesitation, she lifted her own phone and pressed play.

My voice filled the air; a recording of my entire conversation with Lucien.

“You recorded that?” I muttered, my throat tightening.

“Yes,” she replied calmly. “And I can’t wait to post it. It’ll go viral, the heiress, daughter of Mrs. Sinclair, head of the world’s most powerful empire… the same woman who publicly declared her daughter would never divorce her husband… that she would disown her if she ever did.”

Tisha’s words sent a cold wave through my body.

What have I done?

“…But it isn’t my fault,” I stammered weakly.

“Tell that to the media,” she replied coldly.

“Please… you can have the phone,” I said quickly, pushing it back toward her.

I can’t afford to disappoint my mother.

“Good girl,” she said, taking it back. “This stays between us.”

I nodded silently, my chest tight.

Why is life this cruel? Just when I thought I had finally found a glimpse of peace, someone appeared to tear it apart.

A knock sounded at the door.

Trisha visibly flinched, then hurriedly returned the phone to me before rushing to answer.

“Hi, is Miss Liora in?” a familiar voice asked.

Trisha forced a nervous smile. “Liora? She… isn’t…”

Before she could finish, Derek’s gaze landed on me.

“She’s here,” he said, dismissing her with a subtle gesture.

Trisha hesitated, momentarily distracted by him.

“Hello,” Derek called again, sharper this time.

She snapped out of it and stepped aside, letting him in.

“Hi, Miss Liora. It’s your first day, you should warm yourself up with work,” Derek said, his tone lightly teasing.

I forced a small smile. “That’s exactly why I came back, after all.”

At that moment, Trisha stepped forward. She dropped a file near Derek and bent down in a way that was clearly meant to draw his attention. Derek, however, stepped back immediately, unfazed.

So it was true; Trisha liked him and she thought I was a threat.

Was this what she meant when she said she wanted what I have?

“Are you done with work?” Derek asked, his tone calm yet deliberate.

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the file in my hand.

“May I take you out?” he added.

The question hung in the air, heavier than it should have been.

I could feel Trisha’s stare burning.

Something about this… wasn’t simple.

My eyes met his. “For what exactly?” I asked slowly.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “You’ll find out.”

My heart skipped.

And for reasons I couldn’t explain… saying yes felt like it would change everything.

“I think I need to make a video to expose the truth to the world,” Trisha said suddenly, forcing a smile but Derek didn’t even glance at her.

I understood instantly; if I agreed to go out with him, she would reveal everything.

I swallowed hard and turned back to Derek. “I wish I could, but I’m really busy with work right now… maybe some…”

“I have all the time in the world,” he cut in softly, a faint, charming smile on his lips. “I’ll wait until you’re done.”

My eyes widened slightly as I glanced at Trisha. She looked like she was about to explode.

“She just said she’s busy. What you should do is leav…”

“Who asked for your opinion?” Derek snapped, his voice dropping cold. “When I’m speaking to your boss, how dare you interrupt?”

Trisha crossed her arms, jaw tight.

My gaze shifted between them, words failing me.

There was something between these two… something I didn’t understand.

Derek stepped closer, and quickly I slid a file over my cracked phone, covering it before he could notice it.

He settled into the chair opposite my desk, locking eyes with me.

“I’ll wait. And if there’s something I can do to make it faster, I’m willing.”

My stomach tightened.

Why is he doing this? And what does he really want?

“You got a new phone?” he asked, noticing it on my desk before picking it up.

“You should have my number,” he added casually.

Before I could respond, he began typing and saved his contact, then placed the phone back down.

Just then, another knock sounded and before Trisha could respond, the door opened.

A tall man in a dark tailored suit stepped in, followed by another executive carrying a slim folder. Trisha visibly stiffened.

The second man’s gaze landed on me.

“Good morning, Miss,” he greeted.

I forced a polite smile.

Then he turned to Derek and extended his hand. “Mr. Derek, good to see you.”

They shook hands firmly.

The executive’s eyes shifted to my desk. “She’s already been given access to executive files?”

Trisha stiffened near the doorway.

“No,” he continued evenly. “Today is only an orientation briefing. She isn’t expected to handle any of those yet.”

The executive turned to me, his tone softening. “Your first day isn’t about work. It’s about understanding what you’ve stepped into.”

“Your mentor will arrive shortly. She’ll guide you through how this empire truly functions; beyond what you see on the surface.”

A mentor? Trisha never mentioned that.

“Incompetent,” I thought bitterly.

“See you around,” the executive said to Derek with a nod before leaving.

“I told you, you shouldn’t overload yourself on your first day,” Derek said as he stood. “I’ll leave you to meet your mentor. I’ll come back later.”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

“We need to discuss something important,” he added, already turning away as he walked out.

Trisha approached me, her face burning with rage.