Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David) novel Chapter 7

A sleek luxury car rolled to a smooth stop outside the Treeside Villa. Ivan quickly rushed over, bowing with respect as he opened the door.

He greeted, "Welcome home, Miss Audrey Darling! It's so good to have both you and Miss Danielle Darling here—your parents are gonna be over the moon to see you!"

Audrey stepped out of the car like a movie star, her salon-perfect hair framing porcelain features. The staff materialized to handle her designer luggage while Ivan hovered attentively.

"Are Dad and Mom home?" Her casual tone masked the tension in her shoulders. After the maid, Skylar Sanders, dropped the bombshell about her newly found "sister" yesterday, she had caught the first flight back.

"They went shopping for Miss Danielle Darling. They should return shortly," Ivan replied respectfully.

'Already playing favorites,' she thought, acid burning her throat.

"Let me know when they get back," she told Ivan, before heading upstairs to her room.

*****

At Charrington Group's boardroom, David commanded attention in his immaculate black suit. His cool gaze swept across the executives, radiating an almost palpable pressure.

The marketing director broke into a cold sweat mid-presentation, uncertain whether to continue.

"Continue," David ordered, his penetrating gaze betraying an undeniable authority that seemed to pierce through their thoughts.

After each division's nervous strategic briefing, David issued his directive. "Design and Marketing—send this quarter's new product lines and market share reports before the close of business." His long legs carried him smoothly from the room.

"Mr. Charrington," Nathan said respectfully, following behind. "Your fiancée has been found. The Darlings will host a homecoming party soon. Perhaps you should pay a visit beforehand?"

"I'd forgotten about that arrangement." David's handsome features hardened with cold indifference. "Cancel it." The marriage had been arranged by their grandfathers years ago.

*****

Three luxury cars pulled up to the Darling residence. Ivan rushed to open the doors.

"Take these to Danielle's room," Vivian instructed, having spent the morning shopping with her husband. Everything they saw seemed perfect for their precious daughter.

"Miss Audrey Darling has returned," Ivan informed them.

She'd always known she wasn't their biological child, driving her to work harder for their affection. Yet they'd never stopped searching for their real daughter. Her brothers were even more distant. She couldn't let Danielle's return destroy years of careful positioning.

She'd cultivated the perfect life as an elite heiress, with powerful brothers and social status. Most importantly, she was engaged to David.

Thinking of his aristocratic features, she silently vowed he would be hers alone. After all, Danielle had disappeared once before—it could happen again.

Audrey's sweet smile masked her calculations as she played the understanding daughter.

"Silly girl, you're both our daughters, blood or not." Vivian and Howard beamed at their girls.

Audrey turned to Danielle with practiced gentleness. "Hi, Danielle, I'm so happy you're finally home! Forgive me for not bringing a gift—no one mentioned your arrival. I'll make it up to you!" Every word subtly emphasized Danielle's previous absence.

Danielle arched her eyebrow and offered a polite smile that never reached her eyes, her demeanor subtly distant. After years of reading people's true intentions, she easily saw through the calculated act.

For their parents' sake, she replied coolly, "Message received. No gifts necessary."