The Billionaire’s 99 Daughters’ Contest

The day I found out I was the illegitimate daughter of the countrys richest billionaire, I rushed over to his mansion to meet my dad.

When I got there, I found ninety-eight other girls lined up, all waiting to do the same thing.

It turned out the billionaires only son and heir had recently passed away. To find a successor for his hundred-billion-dollar empire, he had tracked down all his secret daughters. Now, he was holding a competition to find the best of us.

Feeling completely out of my league, I was about to turn around and leave with my head hung low.

Suddenly, a glowing banner unfurled in my vision:

[Dont you dare leave, sweetie! Your mother is basically the Underworlds new queen now, and I can help you win this whole thing.]

[Remember your old rival from the orphanage? Shes one of them. If you walk away now, that hundred-billion-dollar fortune will fall right into her lap.]

My head snapped around, and sure enough, I saw her face. Veronica.

A decade ago, she locked me in a pigsty and stole my chance at being adopted, condemning me to ten more years of misery.

Hatred flooded my heart.

Fine. Ill listen to my mom. Im not leaving.

That hundred-billion-dollar fortune is going to be mine.

...

Veronica recognized me at the same instant.

Zoe? What are you doing here? Shouldnt you be back in the pigsty where you belong?

She looked me up and down, a sneer twisting her perfectly made-up face. Dont tell me youre here to steal something. A beggar like you doesnt even deserve to breathe this air.

Her designer clothes were so bright they hurt my eyes.

I clenched my fists, ready to fire back a response.

Just then, my billionaire father, Alistair Finch, walked slowly to the top of the grand staircase and looked down at us all.

All these years, I have failed in my duty as a father. For that, I am truly sorry.

As a small compensation, Ive prepared one hundred thousand dollars for each of you. Anyone who wants it can register with my butler and collect the money.

The villa erupted.

Thank you, Dad!

This is perfect! I desperately need the money! Youre the best, Dad!

As a swarm of women rushed toward the butler, Veronica scoffed beside me.

A bunch of greedy fools. And they think they have what it takes to compete with me for the inheritance?

After stealing my adoption, Veronica had been raised in wealth, living a life of luxury. A hundred grand was nothing to her.

But to me, a girl who survived on stale bread, that money was a lifeline.

Seeing my own feet start to move toward the queue, my mothers message flashed urgently before my eyes:

[Honey, this is the first elimination round.]

[Anyone who takes the money is considered shortsighted. Theyll be disqualified immediately.]

[Those who refuse the money prove they have the ambition and vision to enter the real competition.]

I froze. I snuck a glance up at Alistair.

Just as my mom said, he was watching the line of girls with a disappointed frown, shaking his head slightly.

The butlers voice then cut through the noise.

To be clear, anyone who accepts the hundred thousand dollars must also sign this document, formally waiving all rights to the inheritance.

Without a second of hesitation, I backed away from the line.

The agreement, however, didnt deter most of them.

Seeing the majority of the girls eagerly sign away their future for a quick payout, Alistair let out a frustrated sigh. His gaze then shifted to those of us who remained.

As my eyes met his for a brief moment, another banner appeared:

[See? Mom wouldnt lie to you.]

[Just trust me and do as I say. I never got a single penny from that deadbeat while I was alive. You have to make him pay for both of us.]

A moment later, Alistairs deep voice announced, Twenty of you have chosen to forego the money. Please follow the guards upstairs.

As I fell in line behind the others, Veronica gave me a stunned look.

Zoe, youre an illegitimate daughter too? So that makes us half-sisters?

I ignored her.

Because Alistair was announcing the rules for the first official round of the competition.

To be my heir, you must possess exceptional financial and business acumen.

I will provide each of you with ten thousand dollars in seed money. In one hour, the ten people with the most capital remaining will advance to the next stage. You will be my potential successors.

The moment Alistair finished speaking, the other nineteen girls whipped out their phones and sprang into action.

My mother is a CEO. Ive been learning about business since I was a child. This is in the bag!

I have a Ph.D. in finance. I know exactly how to make money from money.

They were all in their element.

Some immediately started trading stocks.

Others dove into investment fund websites.

One even began drafting a startup proposal on the spot, using the ten thousand as her initial investment.

Another girl cleverly jumped on the social media trend and started a live stream.

Broadcasting live from the billionaires heir selection! Follow me for a real inside look at a high-stakes family drama!

I just stared at the debit card a guard had pressed into my hand, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over me.

I never even finished high school. The orphanage forced me out to sell trinkets on the street just to survive.

How could I possibly compete with these educated, cultured, brilliant women?

Veronica saw the panic on my face and laughed, her voice dripping with scorn.

Everyone else is busy making moves, and you dont even have a phone. You really think you have a chance against me?

She wasn't just looking down on me. She looked down on everyone.

I graduated from a top business school. When it comes to making money, no one here can touch me.

She immediately launched a two-pronged attack, buying stocks with one hand while writing a detailed investment plan with the other, ready to present it to Alistair at the end of the hour.

Meanwhile, my only source of encouragement was my mothers spectral pop-ups:

[Honey, have you ever heard the saying? Theres nothing more dangerous than a rich kid with a business plan.]

[Let them run wild. In this round, you can win by doing absolutely nothing.]

[Even if you have to fake it, you need to project an aura of absolute confidence!]

She added another boost:

[Youve been out in the real world since you were a kid. Youve seen the best and worst of people. When it comes to reading a room, none of them can compare to you.]

[Use this time to observe your billionaire father. It might come in handy later.]

The thought of my mom, even in the Underworld, working so hard to help me, filled me with a new sense of purpose.

I retreated to a quiet corner and began to study Alistair, trying to decipher his personality and temperament. While the other girls scrambled with their various schemes, my focus remained entirely on him.

My unusual calm and stillness eventually caught his attention.

He sent the butler over to me.

Why arent you doing anything? the butler asked.

Following my moms guidance, I started spinning a tale.

Protecting a fortune is far more difficult than building one, I said, my voice steady. In todays volatile market, I believe a conservative strategy is the wisest. My goal is to protect the wealth my father worked so hard to create.

Just as the words left my mouth, a scream pierced the air.

My stocks just crashed! How is this possible?

Someone else kicked over a chair in fury.

Scammers! This whole investment platform is a scam! They converted my money into some worthless crypto and ran!

Who shut down my live stream? I just paid for a traffic boost!

Amid the chaos, my eyes met Alistairs, and I offered him a small, knowing smile.

A barely perceptible gleam of approval lit up his eyes, though he said nothing.

The hour passed quickly.

My strategy of doing nothing had actually worked. I placed fifth and advanced to the next round.

Mom! Thank you! Im one step closer to that hundred-billion-dollar fortune!

As for Veronica, she had managed to turn her ten thousand into fifteen. Her business proposal also received high praise from Alistair. She advanced in first place, earning the venomous glares of the other girls.

As we followed the butler upstairs again, Veronica deliberately shoved me.

You just got lucky, Zoe. Its not too late to give up and walk away now.

Because once I become the official heir, I will make it my mission to destroy you.

I shot her a cold look, making a silent vow.

When I inherit that fortune, I will make her pay for everything she did to me.

We were led into a lavish dining room.

To my surprise, the butler pulled out the chair at the head of the table and gestured for me to sit.

Miss Zoe, this seat is for you.

I didnt think much of it at first. But just as I started to move, I noticed Veronica staring at me with a smirk, as if she was waiting for me to make a fool of myself.

I immediately froze, a sense of caution washing over me.

At the same time, my mothers banner flashed into existence:

[Honey, thats the hosts seat! Your fathers seat! You absolutely cannot sit there!]

[This isnt about eating. Its a test of etiquette. Hes seeing if you have the grace to belong in his world.]

[Pay attention from now on. Do exactly as I say!]

A shiver went down my spine. I quickly waved my hands at the butler.

Sir, that seat is for my father. When will he be joining us?

The butlers smile was full of approval. In my peripheral vision, I saw Veronica grind her teeth in disappointment.

I didnt dare get cocky. My full attention was on my mothers instructions.

The butler assigned everyone a seat. I remained standing until Alistair entered and sat down. Only then did I take my seat, the last one to do so.

My moms tips kept coming:

[The spout of the teapot should never point at the host. When you get the chance, you have to fix it.]

[When pouring wine, fill the glass. When pouring tea, only fill it partway.]

[When the fish is served, the head must be pointed toward Alistair.]

[Do not, under any circumstances, pick up your silverware before the host does. And never leave your spoon sticking upright in your soup. Got it?]

With my moms help, I dominated the dinner.

One of the girls rushed to pour tea for Alistair. I said nothing, but the moment she set the teapot down, I quickly and discreetly turned it so the spout was pointing at my own seat.

Alistairs expression didnt change, but I saw a flicker of appreciation in his eyes.

When it was time to pour the wine, I used the skills Id learned as a waitress to pour a perfect, full glass without spilling a single drop.

To your health, Father, I said, my voice clear and warm. I had a whole repertoire of toasts ready, thanks to years of listening to customers in diners.

When the butler brought out the main course, a whole roasted fish, I intercepted the platter and placed it on the table, carefully positioning it so the head was aimed directly at Alistair.

May our fortunes always be as plentiful as this feast, I added.

Veronica couldnt believe how well I was performing. She was clenching her jaw, practically vibrating with the desire to challenge me. But at a formal dinner, she couldnt make a scene. All she could do was watch me shine.

I, in turn, watched Alistair, memorizing his every micro-expression. Between my observations and my mothers intel, I was quickly piecing together a complete picture of his habits and personality. I navigated the meal with the grace of a seasoned socialite.

After dinner, as the butler led us downstairs, I noticed that our group was smaller. Five more competitors were gone. The girl who had pointed the teapot at Alistair, the one who started eating early, even one who had spun the lazy Susan too aggressively, had all been eliminated.

They were forced to sign the waiver and left with their hundred thousand dollars, their dreams of a billion-dollar inheritance shattered.

Veronica jabbed me in the back. See that, Zoe? Thats going to be you.

Dont think youre so special just because you showed off a few cheap tricks. Im about to show you what happens when you overestimate yourself.

I was done being timid. I shot back, my voice as cold as ice, You should worry about yourself, Veronica.

Because if I win, the very first thing Im going to do is find you a nice, cozy pigsty to live in.

You bitch! Veronicas face turned crimson. She raised her hand to slap me.

Suddenly, Alistair stopped walking and turned to face us, his eyes scanning each of our faces.

Before we proceed to the next round, I have a very serious question for you all.

I expect you to think carefully before giving me your official answer.

I knew instantly. This was the next test.

Everyone held their breath, waiting.

If, one day, my business empire was facing a catastrophic crisis, Alistair began, his voice grave, and the only way to save it was for you to marry a wealthy, brain-dead man who could not produce an heir would you do it?

And I want you to be very clear, he added, his gaze intense. This is not a hypothetical. This is something that could very well happen.

Before the silence could even settle, Veronica stepped forward.

Of course I would! I would do anything to help you, Father. No sacrifice is too great!

And I believe that with my abilities, I could not only save the company through this marriage but also leverage my husbands family resources to elevate our own empire to new heights!

Her passionate declaration broke the dam. The other girls rushed to pledge their loyalty.

As your daughter, it is my duty and my honor to secure our familys legacy through marriage. I would die for our familys glory!

A brain-dead man with no heirs is even better! That way, I wouldnt have to bear children for his family. I could have a child of my own, one who would carry our family name!

For a moment, the scene was almost heartwarming, a group of devoted daughters surrounding their beloved father.

My mom, worried Id be too slow-witted, sent a frantic message:

[Honey, dont listen to his blustering. This is just a loyalty test.]

[Just say what everyone else is saying! Be sweet, flatter him. Its the safe play!]

But as I looked at Alistairs face, I saw nothing. No emotion, no approval. Just that same, faint, calculating look in his eyes.

A seed of doubt sprouted in my mind.

Alistairs reaction felt off. Was it really as simple as just agreeing? Something felt deeply wrong.

I stood there like a statue, my mind racing, trying to understand the real question.

My mom was getting impatient:

[Zoe, what are you waiting for? Just say yes!]

[Use that cleverness you had at the dinner table! Say something charming like Veronica did and win him over.]

[I dated that old goat for six months, I know how he operates! Hes always been a sucker for a sweet talker. Hurry up and say it!]

No. Thats not right.

My mother was wrong.

Alistair wasnt a man who could be easily manipulated. And a pretty speech was definitely not the right answer here.

I replayed my brief interactions with him, his subtle expressions, the glint in his eyes. My brain kicked into overdrive.

My continued silence drew everyones attention.

Alistairs brow furrowed as he stared at me. Zoe. Is this a difficult question for you to answer?

Look at your sisters. They all answered without a moments hesitation.

Veronicas face was alight with smug satisfaction.

Whats the matter, country bumpkin? Did you not understand the question?

Zoe, if I were you, Id take the hundred grand and run. Save yourself the embarrassment.

The other girls started whispering, all waiting for me to fail.

So much for being the star at dinner. Now we see her for what she really is.

My mom was practically having a panic attack in the afterlife, wishing she could just climb out of the ground and answer for me:

[Zoe, are you trying to kill me? Just say it!]

[If you just say yes, you can stay in the running for the inheritance!]

Everything and everyone was pushing me toward the same, seemingly safe, answer.

The air was thick with anticipation.

I took a deep breath and, in a voice that rang with conviction, I gave my answer.

I refuse.

Alistairs face instantly darkened.