The Poor Daughter They Ignored Was Actually A Billionaire Chapter 03
My father stared at Sabrina.
“What do you mean he might not make it?”
“It’s Julian’s wedding.”
Sabrina sighed.
“Julian said his grandfather has an important meeting.”
Elliot frowned.
“More important than his own grandson getting married?”
“Apparently.”
Sabrina picked at the edge of her napkin.
“Someone from Boston is coming to Newport.”
“Mr. Sterling has been trying to meet this person for months.”
Melanie looked confused.
“What kind of person makes Richard Sterling wait three months?”
Ethan gave a short laugh.
“Exactly. The Sterlings are worth billions.”
Sabrina looked pleased that everyone was listening.
“Julian said it’s some medical researcher.”
“They own a cancer-treatment patent Sterling Pharma desperately needs.”
My father leaned forward.
“How desperately?”
Sabrina lowered her voice.
“They’ve already put more than a billion dollars into the program.”
“If they can’t get this patent, the whole thing could die.”
The table went quiet.
Then Sabrina looked at me.
“Elena.”
I raised my eyes.
“You work at a clinic in Boston.”
“Have you heard about this doctor?”
Elliot laughed before I could answer.
“Come on.”
“She answers phones.”
“What would she know about a billion-dollar drug deal?”
Sabrina smiled.
“I’m just asking.”
I took another bite of food.
“No idea.”
Ethan smirked.
“See?”
I kept eating.
What was I supposed to say?
That Richard Sterling had called my office again that morning?
That my company had rejected Sterling Pharma’s first two offers?
That the medical researcher they were discussing was sitting at their table?
They would have laughed.
So I let them.
After dinner, I stood to leave.
My father stopped me.
“Elena.”
He smiled.
“Your mother made up your old room.”
“New sheets. New pillows.”
For one second, I looked at my mother.
She came out of the kitchen drying her hands.
“Melanie’s staying here tonight.”
My father’s smile faded.
My mother continued.
“So Melanie can take the guest room.”
“Elena, you can sleep on the couch.”
Melanie immediately lifted both hands.
“Oh, no. Mrs. Bennett, I can get a hotel.”
My mother shook her head.
“Absolutely not.”
“You’re a guest.”
Then she looked at me.
“Elena is family. She can sleep on the couch.”
I said nothing.
Ten years ago, Melanie had stayed over after graduation.
My mother had given her my room.
I had slept on the couch.
The air conditioner had broken that night.
I woke up sweating over and over.
The next morning, my mother had complained that I looked miserable.
At eighteen, I had cried after Melanie left.
I had wondered why my mother could be kinder to someone else’s daughter than to me.
At twenty-eight, I did not wonder anymore.
I picked up my coat.
“No need.”
My mother frowned.
“What?”
“I booked a hotel.”
Her expression darkened.
“You’d rather waste money on a hotel than sleep in your own home?”
“It’s not my home.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
The room went quiet.
My mother’s face hardened.
“There. That attitude again.”
“I say one thing, you have to fight me on it.”
I put on my coat.
“I’m not fighting.”
“Where are you going?”
“The hotel.”
“Elena.”
I opened the door.
She snapped, “Is the couch beneath you now?”
I looked back.
“No.”
“I just prefer a bed.”
Then I left.
My hotel suite overlooked the water.
I showered.
Ordered dinner.
And slept for nine hours.
The next morning, I dressed for the wedding.
A simple ivory dress.
Diamond earrings.
No logo.
No need.
At eleven, my phone lit up.
Emma.
Sterling’s office confirmed.
Mr. Sterling will meet you at the wedding venue at 2:30.
I typed back.
Good.
Then I picked up my clutch and headed downstairs.