Chapter 5

“Um…” My father looked uncomfortable.

I sighed softly. “Xavier used to tell me all the time that he wished he had more time with you. He really looked up to you, but you were always so busy. Now that he’s gone, I just want to stay by your side, you know, to be there for you, just like he would’ve been. And besides, you're such a success in this city, a real powerhouse. I’d love to learn from you.”

Seeing my father's expression soften, I seized the moment and said, “I want to start from the bottom, as a regular employee. I promise I won’t use your name to get any special treatment or embarrass you. I’ll even go by the name Willow Grange. No one will know I’m your daughter.”

He couldn’t refuse me any longer, though he didn’t exactly give me what I wanted either. Instead of placing me in the main company of Heights Corp, he quietly arranged for me to start at one of his subsidiary investment firms. I was hired as an entry-level employee in the development department.

The HR manager at Jones Investment Company had worked with my father for years, so they knew to keep my identity under wraps. No one knew I was Marcus Norton’s daughter, and I even downplayed my academic background.

My job was pretty simple but dull—handing out surveys on the street and collecting them for feasibility studies. Most of my coworkers took a half-hearted approach. They’d hire a few students and have them stand on street corners pestering passersby with surveys, and most people would walk away annoyed without filling them out.

However, I took a different approach. I studied the survey questions and targeted specific groups, like young people for e-commerce, new moms for early education projects, and office workers for the bike-sharing program. My data analysis was thorough and useful, and clients appreciated it.

Soon, the company manager, Tony Lewisham, started noticing me. During one of my reports, I casually mentioned that I had graduated from Futura University.

He was shocked. “A top university graduate doing street surveys? That’s a waste of talent.”

Shortly after, he promoted me to team leader.

In two months, I led my team to land two significant projects, and suddenly, everyone in the company saw me in a new light. After one contract was signed, I let HR “accidentally” reveal to Tony that I had a master’s degree.

“Why didn’t you mention your education when you first joined?” he asked. “You could’ve started at a higher position.”

I answered confidently, “A degree doesn’t mean everything. What matters is ability. Many companies think fresh graduates have high expectations but no real skills. I just wanted to prove myself with hard work.”

That was how, within six months, I became Tony’s assistant.

Working closely with him, I wasn’t just handling small projects anymore. I was now involved with deals worth millions, and the companies I dealt with were publicly listed. As the playing field changed, so did the resources I had access to.

During one of my client meetings, I overheard that Starline Corporation had an investment project worth over a billion dollars that was up for evaluation. Coincidentally, Starline Corporation was hosting a corporate event that evening. As such, I dressed to impress in a season’s new burgundy Gucci wrap dress, had my hair styled in voluminous curls, and applied a flawless, slightly vintage makeup look.

The event was at the Four Seasons Hotel. I thought my appearance would be enough to slip in unnoticed, but the security at the entrance was checking guests’ invitations, and they stopped me.

“Ma’am, may I see your invite?”

“Just a moment,” I said with a smile, pretending to search through my purse while subtly glancing around.

Then, I spotted a tall, lean man walking by. He didn’t have an invitation in hand, but no one stopped him. He strolled right past me, effortlessly.

I quickly stepped forward and looped my arm through his, laughing playfully. “You’re walking so fast! Why didn’t you wait for me?”

He turned to look at me, clearly surprised. He was around thirty, with sharp, deep-set features and an especially striking pair of eyes.

The security guards watched us walk in together without questioning anything further.

Once we were out of sight from security, I gasped slightly and let go of his arm. “I’m so sorry! I thought you were someone else.”

He smiled a small, knowing grin, and his eyes seemed to pierce right through me, as if he could see straight into my soul.

He gave a slight bow. “It was my pleasure. I hope you enjoy your evening.”

Then, he disappeared into the crowd of guests.