The introduction party ended on a grand note and everyone who was invited went home happy and content. "Leonica, thank you once again." Benjamin gently patted his daughter's back as she saw him off. "Anytime father," She offered him a smile before turning to her mother and hugging the woman.

"Come visit us sometime," Cassandra said as she squeezed Leonica hard before pulling back and holding both of her shoulders. "That place is still your home even though that child now lives there."

Leonica smiled. "Of course, mother." She bade both her parents goodbye, waiting until their car had driven off before she turned to address Irene who had been watching her with a smug look. "You have a habit of popping up in the most unexpected places." She regarded her from head to toe, noticing that Meredith was not by her side as usual.

The poor maid probably couldn't stand her after all the rubbish she heard Irene spout.

"What do you want Irene?"

Irene chuckled, amused. "How can you act like this? Did you not hear what father said?"

Father, Leonica clicked her tongue, so Irene now addressed him that way.

"That he's going to include your name among his successor's list? Well yes, I did and congratulations." She replied indifferently, crossing her arms as she scanned her so called half sister from head to toe. "If that's all you have to say, then let me ask you one question. Why did reveal your existence as MY father's daughter?"

"What, do you believe only you deserve a happy family? So because of that I should have kept my mouth shut?" She mirrored Leonica's stance, except hers had more pride and arrogance while Leonica's own had a calm and collected demeanor. "Pardon?"

"Everything you've had up until now, has been provided by father. The company, your connections heck, even your ex husband. You're only where you are today because our father helped you." She chuckled, her gaze turning condescending. "And you think you're better than me? You're just an ungrateful bitch who thinks she's entitled to everything because she's his real child."

"I am who I am today because father provided everything for me?" Leonica couldn't help but chuckle. She found it funny how Irene believed that her father had provided all she has today.

Sure, he had given her the company, but she didn't get it handed to her on a silver platter. She worked hard and proved herself worthy of seating in the president seat and even then, it had been taken from her. Had she not bought it with HER money, Romero Empire would be singing a different song.

"Oh Irene, your humor still amazes me up till this point," Leonica taunted, but just as quickly as her smile had appeared, it disappeared, leaving a more serious and menacing expression across her face. "But don't kid yourself. I got everything I have today by my own hand and nothing more. So if you think for a second that because father agreed to put your name on his list of successors, you've become a threat to me, you're wrong."

Irene tightened her jaw. "Is that so?" She asked in a challenging tone.

"It is." Came Leonica's answer as her driver finally pulled up behind her, holding the door open for her. Just before she stepped in, she looked above her shoulder, regarding Irene one last time. "Know your place Irene Rosewood. This isn't a fantasy world where an illegitimate child like you gets to play heroine and steal the spotlight from the protagonist."

Leonica stepped into the car, slamming the door shut as her driver, without having to be told, drove off.

And just as Leonica's car disappeared from view, the smug expression Irene had on, dropped and a scowl etched it's way on her face.

"She really thinks she's superior." She grumbled, clenching her fists. "Just you wait, I'll make you beg at my feet after stripping away everything you love."

someone, when they answered, she instructed. "I'll pay you any amount, all I need you to do is dig up dirt on someone for me." Her source on the other end must have agreed because

his mother's arm as soon as

his cheeks with kisses. "Were you

me do my homework after which we watched cartoon

made a surprised

Ashley's answer in between giggles as his mother returned

Madame."

Thank you for looking after Ashley once

How was your

she sank into one of the couches, not bother to change out of the dress she was in. "No matter how many times I go to these parties, I can never get used to them.". "Would you like something to

"Please."

into the kitchen and not long later, she came out with a cup of

and Leonica took it with a thanks, taking a

discuss with me, Grace?" She

I.ne

tips of her finger. "Forgive me for asking, but while watching tv shows with Ashley happened to come across the speech Mr. Romero was giving at

"You couldn't help but wonder if all father said was true, yes?" A

she stood

they sat in her room and discussed the topic of

one under control, yet till this day, the caretaker was a hundred percent sure that Leonica had not found it in herself to fully open her heart up to Owen. "Now tell me, did

a parcel drop off for you." Grace rushed to

parcel? She

with a small box that had

minute, wondering who could have sent her something

Could it be him?

tore it open, eyes widening when she saw the prettiest red gown, complete with a pair of high

when she called the blonde and the

"Did you get it?"

Leonica said with a smile. "But what is

few days, remember that dinner

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