Semua Bab The Stripping Heiress : Bab 21 - Bab 30

{Hailey’s Pov}I was in George Lachlan’s will for a purpose. All the riddles and secret locks are there for a reason. I settled into the sofa armchairs, in the office. I began to bring out each letter that had riddles on it. There was a particular one that Marcus gave me but I did not open it. I started to put it all together. Firstly, “I’m sorry.” George apologized. Marcus said he chose me for a reason, that I was special, but what could that be? Also, he left me the key to the secret locks.Secondly, “To find the end, you must first see the beginning.” What beginning? I placed my hand on my forehead. I was losing it. I know I need money, but this is too big for me. Are there some secrets the Lachlan is hiding? I'm not a detective, for crying out loud. Julian keeps saying I don’t know what I have stepped into.Then I proceeded to the letter that Marcus gave me, which I didn’t bother to open. I turned the envelope over and saw Marcus’s name scrawled across the front. This is his let

{Hailey’s pov} I needed a break from everything, Julian’s glare at the board meeting, Debra’s judgmental eyes, and the silence that followed every riddle I couldn’t solve. I left the office and walked toward the cafeteria to get some air. The moment I stepped in, I felt it. Eyes.Everyone turned. People stared like I had grown a second head. Whispers rose in the corners of the room like smoke. I kept walking, pretending not to care, but I felt every single gaze, every hushed word.I found an empty seat near the edge of the wall, a quiet spot where I could eat in peace. I ordered shrimp tacos. The smell in the Lachlan cafeteria was amazing, garlic, butter, and something sweet in the air. Honestly, for a company building, it was impressive. The place was beautiful. Gold lights hung from the ceiling, soft music played from hidden speakers, and everything looked like money.I’d give it a solid ten out of ten. Still, the stares didn’t stop. But I didn’t give a damn anymore. Let them look.

Julian stood by the doorway like a storm ready to strike. His eyes swept the room—letters scattered across the desk, the cracked-open riddle from Marcus, the tension dripping off the walls. His jaw tightened, and when he finally spoke, his voice was cold.“You think this is a game?”I blinked. “Excuse me?”“You’re digging through things you don’t understand,” he said, stepping inside. “Reading letters, unlocking rooms, acting like you belong here.”“I do belong here,” I snapped. “Your grandfather made sure of that.”Julian let out a bitter laugh. “No. You’re a fraud.”The word stung like a slap.“You think being written into a will makes you a Lachlan? That this house is yours just because George signed your name on a piece of paper?”I stood up straight. “You don’t get to tell me who I am.”“No,” he said. “But the truth will. And when it does, it’s going to crush you.”He turned on his heel and slammed the door on his way out.For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Julian wasn’t just angr

{Hailey’s Pov} Dinner was set like a scene from a movie. A long, polished table. Silver cutlery that sparkled under the chandelier. Crystal glasses filled with red wine. Everything was too perfect. Too quiet. Like the calm before a storm.I sat between Clara and Kaira, my back straight, my hands in my lap. Across the table sat Julian, his eyes pinned on me like I was something he couldn’t decide whether to protect or destroy.He hadn’t said a word since I walked in. Just stared.It made my skin crawl. I picked at my food. Roasted lamb, creamy potatoes, grilled vegetables. Everything smelled amazing, but my stomach was too tight to eat.Aaron was sipping wine, throwing me glances like he was waiting for something to explode. Luca drummed his fingers against his glass. Marcus stayed quiet, his eyes moving between me and Julian like he could feel the tension thick in the room.And then Debra Lachlan cleared her throat.Here we go.“I must say,” she began, her tone sweet and sharp at onc

{Hailey’s POV} The next morning was weird. Not murder-weird. Not riddle-weird. Just… weird.Because instead of being locked in a room full of yelling heirs and haunted stares, I found myself on a private golf course, surrounded by billionaires with clubs in their hands and secrets in their pockets.The Lachlan estate’s course was massive—perfect grass, stupid expensive golf carts, and those annoying little flags whipping in the breeze like they knew something I didn’t. Kaira looked like she stepped out of a Vogue sportswear ad, snapping selfies while sipping something green and healthy-looking. Me? I was in leggings, a borrowed cap, and zero idea what I was doing.Julian was all sharp lines and stone-cold silence. He hadn’t looked at me once since we got here.Luca and Aaron were trash-talking like they were filming a reality show.And Marcus?Marcus was suddenly at my side, holding a golf club like it was sacred.“Have you ever played?” he asked, his voice soft but curious.“Does mi