AIDEN
I retreat to another side of the room, engaging with more guests and exchanging conversation with those who approach me.
I don't put myself out there, unwilling to risk rejection. God knows how many of them have had their minds poisoned against me by Beatrice before my arrival. Her one-track mind is fixated on discrediting me.
Their animosity stems from the fact that they perceive me as a rival for Lachlan's inheritance. But I have no interest in inheriting a dime from Dad, nor do I feel inclined to curry favor with these dignitaries.
It had been my dream to carve my own path from childhood, to make Mom proud and validate all her efforts. I hadn't even realized that my biological father was a wealthy man. However, I had determined my future; I had to succeed.
Dad's influence
