The Billionaire Heiress Strikes Back (Veronica and Carter) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Veronica’s POV

The woman’s sharp tone caught me completely off guard. I blinked at her, stunned. She was standing in the doorway, her perfectly coiffed blonde hair and designer clothes making her look like she had walked off a movie set. But her expression was anything but welcoming.

And who are you supposed to be?” she demanded, her icy gaze sweeping over me like I was something unpleasant she’d stepped in.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond. I’d never seen her before in my life. Who was she, and why was she acting like she owned the place?

“I’m Veronica,” I said cautiously, trying to you are?”

keep my owady. “And

The woman’s lips curled into a condescending smile. “Betty Peyton. And this is my house. So, whoever you are, I suggest you pack up and leave.”

My heart skipped a beat. Her house? That didn’t make sense. This was my father’s home–or at least, it was supposed to be. He’d never mentioned anyone named Betty, much less that someone else might have a claim to his estate.

My eyes raked through her as I tried to make sense of what was happening. She shared the same last name with him too.

Was she a relative?

Even if she was, that didn’t give her any right to demand I leave my father’s house. What is wrong with all these rich people?!

J

“Wait a second.” I said, frowning. “This house belongs to my father.”

Betty raised an eyebrow, her smile turning into a sneer. “Your father? And who might that be?”

“Meshach Peyton,” I replied, my voice firmer now.

For a moment, Betty just stared at me. Then she laughed–a short, disbelieving sound. “Meshach Peyton? Oh, that’s rich. And I suppose you‘ re here to play the long–lost daughter card or wait… are you his mistress? Let me guess, you’re pregnant?”

My jaw tightened, disgusted she could think so lowly of me. “I’m not playing anything. I am his daughter.”

Her laughter stopped abruptly, and her expression darkened. “Meshachi doesn’t have a daughter. Trust me, I’d know.”

Confusion and anger flared inside me. Who was this woman to decide what my father did or didn’t have? And why had he never mentioned her

before?

“I don’t know who you think you are,” I said, taking a step forward, “but I have every right to be here. My father-”

“Enough.” Orthon’s voice cut through the tension like a knife.

I turned to see him standing beside me, his expression hard. He stepped forward, placing himself between me and Betty.

“Betty, this is Veronica,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “She’s exactly who she says she is–Meshach’s daughter. If you have a problem with that, you’ll need to take it up with him.”

Betty’s eyes darted between the two of us, her disbelief palpable. “This has to be some kind of joke. Meshach never mentioned-”

“Maybe because it wasn’t your business to know.” Orthon interrupted smoothly

Her checks flushed with anger. but she didn’t reply Instead, she huffed and tumed toward the staircase “Fine Stay But don’t get too

comfortable. This house has rules, and you’ll follow them if you know

what’s good for you.

With that, she marched upstairs, her heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor.

As the sound of her footsteps faded. I let out a shaky breath. “What the hell was that about?” I asked, turning to Orthon.

He ran a hand through his hair, looking tired. “Betty Peyton is… complicated. She’s been in and out of your father’s life for years, but he

ever officially introduced her to anyone. She’s… let’s just say, territorial.”

“Territorial?” I repeated, my voice rising. “She acted like she owned the place! And she didn’t even know who I was.”