Chapter 69:
Dismissal sharpened in the receptionist’s reply. “Missing? She’s living in comfort at Serenity Manor. The only ones pretending are women like you, coming from nowhere and playing at being her.”
Several staff members passing by joined in, chanting, “Quit holding up the line — just get her out of here.”
As she listened, Rylie pieced everything together. The receptionist seemed convinced that Paola was the true daughter of the Owens. Paola had been living there for so long that many people believed she was an Owen.
Any irritation slid off Rylie’s shoulders. Instead, she spoke evenly. “You might want to check with your higher-ups before forcing me out. If you make me call them, things will get a lot more complicated.”
Doubt flickered in the receptionist’s eyes. She hesitated, torn between calling or not, when another voice broke the tension.
Amusement played on Fred’s lips as he stepped forward. “So it’s you, Rylie. Banished from the Kirk family, and now you’re pretending to be the Owens’ lost daughter for cash?”
Casper’s mood soured instantly. He snapped, “Rylie! Have you no shame showing up here like this?”
Fred continued, mockery thick in his tone, “Mr. Kirk, take a good look at your daughter — throwing away her pride just to chase after a rich family.” He then turned to the receptionist, his manner suddenly refined. “No need to confirm. You should really have security remove scammers like her immediately. She’ll only stain the Owen Company’s name.”
Recognition dawned on the receptionist, her jaw dropping as she connected the dots. “Wait, I know that face. I’ve seen this woman on the news before.”
Doubt vanished. Instead, a sneer settled on her lips as she addressed Rylie. “Now I remember. You’re the so-called daughter of the Kirk family who got tossed out for your bad reputation.”
A sharp jab of Casper’s finger followed, and his words were biting. “Leave, right now! If you mess up my meeting with Mr. Owen, you’ll regret it.”
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A laugh bubbled from Rylie, unexpectedly bright. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Unbelievable—how thick-skinned can you get?”
Confidence swelled in the receptionist with every supportive glance. She leaned over, pressing the intercom button to summon security.
Refusing to be intimidated, Rylie pulled out her phone, her tone steady as she spoke. “Deandre, I’m downstairs at the branch. The front desk says I’m a fraud and wants to toss me out.”
Deandre’s frustration spilled out in his answer. “Why is this happening? I left word at the desk that my sister would be dropping by! Don’t move, I’ll send someone down right now.”
A smirk danced across the receptionist’s face. “Keep acting tough. Let’s see what happens next.”
A shrill ring sliced through the tension at the desk. Lifting the receiver, the receptionist paled as she listened to the fury pouring through the phone.
“What do you mean?!”
The supervisor on the line shouted, “Have you lost your mind? That’s the Owens’ daughter at the door—the one missing for ages! You’re fired! Clean out your desk and leave!”
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