All Chapters of RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

LEINA “Excuse me?” I say, confused. “Who are you?” “You'll know when the time is right, Mrs Moretti. “If you want the truth about your mother’s death…look at Ashford Holdings’ old offshore accounts. March 2001. Account code LUX–71. Your father’s signature is on every transfer even though your mother was still CEO by then. Ask yourself why.”The line goes dead. I stare at the phone not knowing what to think. Who was the person who just called and how did he know I was Mrs Moretti “Hey, are you okay?” Damien asks, taking my hand in his. “Who was that?” “Wrong number,” I tell him, shaking my head. “I'm cold.” “Then we should better head home,” he says, pulling me to my feet. ~~~“You should get to sleep. I'm gonna go take a quick shower.” Damien kisses my forehead before disappearing into the bathroom The moment the water starts running, I grab my phone and dial Natalie's number. “You shouldn't be calling me, Leina. Where's…” “Pay attention,” I cut in. “ I got a call today. Th

LEINA Westwood Industries.It's been three years since I last stepped foot here. Three years ago I would bring food for Marcus so often that the receptionist practically knew my footsteps. I step in and head to the reception, Amy following quietly behind me. “Hey, Milly,” I greet the receptionist with a smile. She stares up from her work and her eyes bulge in surprise. “Oh my God! Is it really you Leina?” She says with a wide smile. “I didn't believe it when I heard Clara telling Marcus you were back in town.” “Well you can believe now,” I say with a smile. “Anyways is Marcus around?” “Yes.” She picks up the desk phone, dials and holds the phone to her ear. “Miss Leina Ashford is here to see you, Sir…Okay “ She hangs up and smiles. “He's waiting for you.” “Thanks.” I turn to Amy with a smile. “Let's get that signature.” “You sure you can handle him?” she whispers.“I’m not here for him,” I say, straightening my blazer. “I’m here for the contract. Follow my lead.”We get to the

Damien Everything happens in a blur. One moment I'm staring at Leina and Ivy in the living room, the next, Ivy's lips are on mine. I push her away before things can escalate further. My gaze trails to Leina and the pain in her eyes guts me. “I've missed you, Dami,” Ivy says, wrapping her arms around me in a hug. I gently pry her off. “What are you doing in my house, Ivy?” I ask . Four years ago I wouldn't be asking her that giving we were to get married. But now I'm married and the pain in Leina's eyes is enough reason to banish her from my house for good.She takes hold of my hand and smiles. “Come on Dami,we are to be married, remember and our engagement is in a month.” That sickening sweet tone of hers grates on my nerves like it did four years ago.I pull my hand away and descend the staircase “ We are not getting engaged,Ivy. ““Oh come on, Dami,”she scoffs.”Marrying me is not a choice you get to make. Your mother wants this wedding and the council has approved you can't go a

Leina The words on the page blur, then sharpen again as my eyes sting. I struggle to believe what I see on the paper.PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.My mother’s name on one line, My father’s on the next.Both signatures at the bottom.Dated three weeks before she died.A dull roar fills my ears. “This…this can’t be right,” I whisper. “They weren’t even separated. She was still living at home. She…” My voice breaks.Damien’s arm tightens around my waist, steadying me where I sit on his lap. “Easy,” he murmurs, but his eyes are already scanning the document, taking in every detail like a predator assessing prey.Across the desk Carlos leans back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “It’s real,” he says. “I pulled it from a sealed family court archive. Your mother filed for divorce first. Your father signed two days later. It was supposed to be finalized the following month, but…” he gestures at the date “...she died.”I shake my head, unable to reconcile the smiling family

Damien Hours EarlierI stare at the files spread across my desk, every page screaming failure. Bills of lading, customs clearances, shipping logs—all showing the same thing. Interceptions. Missing cargo.My gaze snaps to Rodrigo, who’s standing in front of me like a man waiting for his own funeral.“Care to explain the meaning of this?” My voice is low, but it vibrates with rage.He swallows hard. “Boss… the shipments have been getting intercepted for some time now. Magno just called. He said no arms were delivered to Turkey. Not one crate.”I slam my palm down on the desk so hard the coffee mug rattles and tips. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”Rodrigo flinches. “We’re tracing the routes, but whoever’s doing it is good. No leaks in the docks, no chatter on the streets. It’s like they’re always one step ahead.”“Someone is feeding them our movements,” I snap, rising to my feet. “We don’t lose shipments. Not mine. Not in my name.”He keeps his eyes down. “I’ll tighten securit