The Abandoned Daughter Who Bought Her Fathers Empire

The Harbor City Gala was less a celebration and more a livestock auction. I stood in a line with a dozen other eligible young women, waiting to be selected.

As the disgraced, illegitimate daughter of the Shore Dynastys gambling lord, I knew the stakes. If I didnt receive a flowerthe symbolic gesture of intenttonight, by morning Id be shipped off to The Metropolitan District for a miserable, arranged marriage.

Grant Kingsley, my childhood friend and the man Id clung to for a decade, was supposed to be my anchor. But as he approached our line, his eyesthe same shade of warm whiskey Id stared into a thousand timesslid past me. He stopped beside Summer Davies, the recent recipient of his massive scholarship fund.

He handed the rare, golden-tipped Orchid to her.

He leaned in, his breath a warm, sickening contrast to the chill seizing my chest. Just let Summer have her moment, Kenzie. This is the highlight of her whole life. Dont worry, Im here. No one will dare finalize your engagement while Im around.

I offered him a desperate, pleading look, but he dismissed it instantly. He offered Summer his arm, the gesture formal, almost possessive.

Summer is graceful and elegant, and frankly, she carries herself with a dignity worthy of the Orchid.

Dignity worthy of the Orchid. The words, meant to elevate her, instantly made me the butt of every whispered joke in the room.

The next morning, I left for the Metropolitan District alone. Grant, in a panic, shut down the entire citys air traffic trying to find me.

Summer Daviess hand rested on Grants arm with an affected, practiced elegance. Under the chandeliers, they looked like a perfect, polished pair.

My own heart was a tight, painful knot, but I forced my expression to remain smooth.

He, of course, was oblivious to my quiet crisis. The room was thinning out. I stood alone, flowerless, my fate sealed: the arranged marriage loomed.

Grant, noticing me abandoned in the corner, sauntered over with a glass of champagne.

Seriously, the nerve of some people, he griped, rolling his eyes. I told a few of the guys to make sure you got something, just to save face. Can you believe they disobeyed my order?

I sighed, staring at the man I had practically grown up with, a man who, until tonight, I believed was my only ally.

Do you even know what the Gala means?

The Harbor Gala wasn't just a party; it was a matchmaking event for the most powerful families. The Orchid symbolized the heir's intention to marry the recipient. As an illegitimate Shorea social stainno one but Grant, the citys most eligible bachelor, would risk offering me that kind of commitment.

My stepmother, Elaine Shore, had forced me to come precisely because she knew Id be rejected, forcing my hand into the Capital marriage. I had begged Grant for three years of protectionthree years to gain footingand then hed be free to love anyone.

Hed sworn hed protect me. But when the time came, he chose a fleeting moment of performative charity over my entire future. Decades of loyalty dissolved in a single evening.

A look of faint guilt crossed Grants face, and he waved Summer off with a quick, paternal pat.

Look, Kenzie, you see this stuff all the time. But for Summer, a scholarship girl, this is her one shot at the limelight. Just let me thank you on her behalf.

He leaned in, his expression turning into a familiar, charming pout that he knew usually melted me. Why now? You can have anything else. Why are you making a big deal out of this?

When I didn't soften, he cleared his throat awkwardly. Today is her graduation. It also means she wont be accepting my stipend anymore. I promised her one unforgettable night, thats all.

It certainly was unforgettable for me, too. And now, it was irreversible.

Grant, you know what the Gala flowers signify

Summer, like a well-timed interruption, glided back to his side.

Oh, Kendall, she whispered, her eyes wide. Did I ruin something? Please dont be mad at Grant. I begged him

Grant scowled at me as Summer theatrically tucked her chin, appearing distressed.

Its fine, Kenzie, he snapped. Its just a damn flower. Ill buy you one.

He plucked a random, fully bloomed red rose from a passing floral arrangement and shoved it into my hand. It was dripping water, its thorns hastily shaved off, the stem brutally snapped short.

Roses are better suited for you anywaypassion, fire. Why are you being so dramatic about a single Orchid? Its completely unlike your easygoing nature.

The rose was a cruel mirror. The Orchid signified respect, the dignified qualities a family heir seeks in a wife. The blazing rose, severed and de-thorned, was a symbol of passion without promisea cruel irony for the gambling lords bastard.

The snickers around us grew louder. People weren't bothering to hide their gossip anymore.

The mistresss daughter, always fetching and carrying for him, actually thought she could marry into the Kingsleys. Didn't you hear? The scholarship girl has more dignity than her.

Grant shot a look at the gossipers, and the girl shut up, but not before shooting me a venomous glare.

Im so sorry, Kendall, Summer murmured. Youre so elegant all the time, I just wanted one night of that special attention. I didnt realize

Elegant? I cut her off, my voice dangerously low. Im a bastard child. Do you think Grant is unaware of how my family treats me?

Summer fumbled a mini-quiche, which landed squarely on her satin shoe. Her eyes immediately welled up with artful, wounded tears.

Grants jaw tightened. Look, this is ridiculous. Let her finish her night. Im going to take her to change. You can go home now, Kenzie.

Go home. I had no home to go to.

Brad Lawson, a low-tier heir notorious for his handsiness, sidled up to me, sniffing loudly near my hair.

Smells expensive, Ms. Shore.

Without Grants protection, I was easy prey.

Grant told me to give you a flower, but I passed. I told you to stop chasing his heels and flirt with me for once. How does it feel now? Humiliating, right?

I was stunned. Grant had assigned hima known sharkthe task of giving me a pity flower? My hand clenched around the broken rose. The betrayal, the casual disrespect, was nauseating.

Brad, noticing my stiff silence, slapped a furry hand onto my shoulder.

Look, Kendall, if you werent so damn gorgeous, a bastard like you would be fair game for anyone. Did you think Grant Kingsley would actually protect you forever?

Before his fingers could dig in, Grants hand shot out and smacked Brads arm away.

Lawson. I told you not to touch whats mine.

But you chose the charity case! Youre just keeping Kendall as a backup, huh? Brad sneered.

Stay out of my business.

Grant spun me around to face him, his eyes blazing. Why didnt you fight back?

The question was the final blow. I was beyond disappointment.

Why would I? Isn't that what you ordered?

You need to understand, Kenzie, I can protect you in this room, but I cant be glued to your side every second.

But you knew what the Gala meant

Summer returned instantly, her tears magically dried, a bright, cheerful smile now plastered on her face.

Id love to try a cocktail, Grant. May I?

A sullen woman begging for her future versus a bright, adoring girl asking for a drink. The choice for Grant was obvious.

Of course. Tonight, youre the star. Whatever you want.

He turned back to me. Well talk tomorrow. Ill come to your place.

Tomorrow. I gave a tight, mirthless laugh.

Tomorrow, youll have to come to the Metropolitan District to find me.

Grant excused himself to greet a senator. Summer returned to me, a ruby-red drink in hand, the feigned meekness gone, replaced by a subtle, almost-Kingsley air of authority.

Why, Kendall, you have everything. Do you really need to steal this one little piece of glory from me?

I should never have selected her from the roster of Grants scholarship applicants years ago.

Youve lived a privileged life since birth. I only asked for Grants protection for one night.

Privileged? Im a bastard, I replied flatly. My mother died young. Elaine Shore brought me back only to torment me. My father, the gambling lord, had a dozen children and no interest in me.

I learned to be invisible. I learned that my face was my only currency.

That currency was what I used to approach my uncle, Victor Shore, a man as cold and sharp as a glacier. I begged him to train me, to back me.

Your father has twenty-odd children. Why should I invest in a useless little bastard who will inevitably fail? hed asked.

Because I have no weakness. I have nothing to lose, and Im willing to fight dirty, Id promised, trembling slightly beneath his unblinking stare.

But the time wasn't right. Victor wouldn't help me yet.

The man I was slated to marry in the Metropolitan District, Weston Albright, was rumored to be ruthlessly cold. The Shores wanted an alliance, but didnt want their legitimate daughters suffering, so they chose me.

Victor must have known the outcome of the Gala. A text buzzed in my hand: Find your own way.

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself.

Summer, playing the host, placed a warm hand on my ice-cold one. Do you think Grant even knew what the Gala meant tonight?

I had to act. I tracked down Grant immediately.

Did you know what the Gala meant?

Yeah, a matchmaking event. So what? Its just tradition. Who actually marries the person they give a flower to these days?

He knew.

Ill handle the Shores. They wont marry you off.

Then will you please get the Orchid back from Summer? I only need it for the night. Ill return it.

Grant looked at me, surprised, then uneasy.

I dont think so. I already gave it away. Ill buy you a dozen, Kenzie. Just dont be so petty about Summer.

The Orchid had that unique, counterfeit-proof gold edging.

The suppressed rage of the entire evening finally erupted.

Grant Kingsley, I told you I wouldnt cling to you! I told you I have someone else I want to be with! I told you I only needed three years and you could be free! Why are you humiliating me like this?

His smile vanished. His expression turned hard, and he backed me against a wall.

Someone else? Who, Kendall? No one else would dare claim you. You can only want me. The whole damn city knows youre my shadow.

To hear the word shadowthe word for the desperate hanger-on Id had to be to survive in the Shore housefilled me with absolute shame.

I took a step back, accidentally bumping into Summer, who stumbled slightly.

Kendall, please dont fight with Grant!

Grant immediately pulled Summer into his arms.

Kenzie, its just one night. Dont be so dramatic. Tomorrow, shell go back to her life.

Summer's look suggested she had no intention of letting go of this sudden, unexpected wealth.

I left the banquet and climbed into the sleek, black sedan Victor had sent.

Victor Shore sat inside, a chilling reservoir of stillness. You lost. You made a bet. Go to the Metropolitan District tomorrow and let fate decide the rest.

I will come back, I told him.

Prove it. He twisted his lips into a cool, calculating arc, effectively washing his hands of me.

Back at the Shore mansion, Elaine Shore glanced at Victors retreating back, her expression one of practiced elegance.

Eighteen years of being provided for. Its time you repaid us. Since the Kingsley son has chosen his fiance, you leave tomorrow.

Nothing in the Shore house belonged to me. I had to pay for my own flight. Victor said nothing, merely retreating to his room.

I went to the tiny bedroom that had always been mine. My elder half-sister leaned against the doorframe, examining her freshly manicured nails.

If I were you, Id have skipped the Gala and saved myself the embarrassment. Mother told me to watch you. You cant take anything valuableeven the dress youre wearing has to stay.

Mother says youve enjoyed enough of the Shore name. The rest is up to you.

Oh, and Mother says that Metropolitan guy probably has a Golden Standardthe idealized woman he can never touch. Good luck.

I stripped off the designer gown, removed the borrowed jewelry, and placed everything in a tray. I walked to the bathroom in just my silk slip, and my sister finally lost interest and left.

On my phone, Summers dazzling smile lit up a social media post. Thank you for the most magical night. Its my turn to repay you now.

The sleeve cuff hugging her shoulder featured the custom silver cufflink I had given Grant for his last birthday.

I left all of Grants gifts behind.

The next morning, I was up before dawn. I slipped out without saying goodbye to anyone, a simple backpack my only luggage, and headed straight to the airport.

Security was swift. I boarded the flight. As the plane taxied onto the runway, I turned my phone completely off, severing the last connection to Harbor City.

Suddenly, the pilots voice crackled over the intercom.

We apologize for the inconvenience, passengers. Due to an urgent, city-wide search by the Kingsley family, the citys air traffic control has been ordered to suspend all outgoing flights. We are returning to the gate.