THE FISHMONGERS HEIRESS

THE CHAKRA SYSTEM

Claire pinched herself to be sure this was not one of her weird dreams.

"You are not dreaming, Claire. I have been watching you for four years and came close to you a year ago. All those years made me realize you are the perfect daughter I am searching for. And guess what, dear? I don't want to adopt you alone, but to make you my heiress."

Claire subconsciously screamed out, "The heiress to Rotherham's wealth!" Now she believed this was the weirdest of all her dreams. Rotherham's group of companies spanned all over the world and was worth trillions of dollars. How can she, poor, dirty Claire, become an heiress to such a business empire?

Through Nora's speech, only one question ran through Claire's mind.

"Why would you make your heiress a total stranger when you have children?"

Nora breathed rapidly as she responded, "Just like I sometimes told you, I only have two children. My first son is a spendthrift and will squander everything I have worked for, while my daughter got married to a gold-digger and a gambler. I need someone accountable, trustworthy, and reliable. Someone who will grow the business I labor to build. Do you now see why I chose you?"

"Your children will never agree to this."

"They don't have a choice. I have given them several chances to redeem themselves, but they keep failing. I will set up a trust fund that will take care of them forever, but you will be the one controlling everything."

"I... I don't -."

"You can do it, Claire. Remember I always told you how much I believe in you. Please don't say no, I put all my hope in you and don't want to be disappointed."

"What about my mum?"

"Oh... Your mum already agreed with me."

"My mum can't do that without informing me."

"She did. We agreed I should be the one to break the news to you."

Claire wondered what Nora gave her mom that made her sell her daughter off like a piece of fish.

"Stop it, Claire. She didn't sell you off, she is still your mother, and you are free to check on her whenever you want."

Claire froze her breath and her eyes pooped out at what had just happened.

"Yes, I can read your thoughts."

"How... How did you do it, Nora?"

"I will teach you, it's called the Chakra system. But first, you must agree to be my daughter."

"I have agreed but have a request to make."

"Anything for you, Claire."

"I want you to find my Dad."

"I promise to. Is that all?"

Claire nodded and then smiled when Nora pulled her to her chest and hugged her for a while.

"Welcome to my family, Claire Rotherham."

A maid appeared in the doorway. She cleared her throat and announced, "The table is set, ma'am. "

"Go and eat before we resume our conversation."

A banquet was set before Claire, and after eating to satisfaction, Nora gestured to her to come closer and then handed a card into her hand.

"This purple-colored credit card contains one hundred million dollars. Use it to get new clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, and a phone. I will inform one of my drivers to drive you to and fro. Let's talk when you are back from your shopping."

"Thank you, Nora ."

"As part of the Rotherham family, you must always dress royally and look good. Let me know if the money is not enough."

Nora excused herself to attend to some pressing needs. A moment later, a maid appeared to show Claire around, and some minutes later, she stood with arms akimbo as she gawked at several racy cars awaiting the royal whims.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. My name is Daniel, and I will be your driver until further notice," a young man in an expensive designer suit and pants announced.

"Thank you, Daniel."

"Can you drive?"

"No ."

"Don't worry. Going by what I already heard about you, you should be a good driver in a few weeks," Daniel pointed at a blue-painted Jeep. "Should we go out in that Land Rover, or do you prefer that Jeep cruiser?"

"I think the Land Rover is okay."

Daniel smiled, displaying a perfect set of thirty-two white teeth, opened the car's back door, gestured to Claire to hop inside, closed the door, and then hurried to the driver's side and hopped in.

"What did you hear about me?" Claire asked after he ignited the car.

Daniel smiled sheepishly and mumbled, "I heard that Mrs. Rotherham decided to adopt you because you are smart and intelligent. And that you will be named her heir in a few days."

Claire whistles softly. How on earth did Daniel know about what she discussed privately with Nora some minutes ago?

"You are welcome to the Rotherham family, Claire."

"Thank you."

"All the staff and members of the Rotherham family do their shopping at The Rotherham boutique and spa. I suggest we go there to pick whatever you want."

"Sure. Let's get going."

Daniel drove out of the parking lot and was soon outside the black gate.

Claire closed her eyes and a smile appeared on her lips. In truth, nothing is permanent. A few days ago, she was a poor girl who could not afford three square meals. But today, she has hundreds of millions of dollars in her credit cards, and a driver to drive her to whatever location pleases her. In a few days, she will be officially named as one of the members of the Rotherham family, and then begin her journey of becoming an heiress. She now has a new mission to embark on, and will soon have the ability to hear people's thoughts when they are around her.

Either because of excitement, tiredness, or the breeze from the air-conditioning, Claire soon slept off, and her soft snore could be heard humming along with the car's sound.

"Hello, Claire. Wake up, we are in Rotherham's boutique. "

She opened her eyes, stretched her arms, and moaned softly.

Just like most of Rotherham's investments, Rotherham's boutique is an architectural marvel, a fusion of neoclassical grandeur and modern minimalism. Here, they offered limited-edition leather jackets with hand-painted motifs, velvet trousers that drape like poetry, silk blouses adorned with delicate lace, cashmere coats lined with silk, bespoke jewelry featuring rare gemstones, and hand-painted silk scarves, all meticulously sourced from artisans around the world.

"Will you be here waiting for me?" Claire asked the man who had kept smiling at her since they left the villa.

"Sure. I just need to pick up some toiletries at The Rotherham supermarket over there," Daniel pointed at a skyscraper some meters away and then gestured to Claire to go. Seeing her resistance, he asked, "Did you need me to come with you?"

"Oh, no. Don't worry. I can take care of myself."

She cast a last look at her tattered piece of clothes, seized her breath, and stepped into the most extravagant boutique in the whole of Deadwood City.