Chapter 2 A Revealing Identity

The light of the setting sun tinged the sky with warm hues, and Olivia, after nearly twelve hours of travel, opened her eyes as she realized that she had finally reached her destination. The city where she was born, and from which she should never have left, she thought at that moment.

She took a taxi to the remote McGregor family mansion. His father, a mystical and occult billionaire, and his mother, a noble-class woman, eccentric and striking, both possessed of wealth that was hidden in the deepest folds of their lives.

The imposing residence loomed in the distance, surrounded by sprawling grounds and lush gardens.

The taxi driver dropped her off at the entrance, and Olivia, staring at the majesty of the mansion, felt the connection to her roots. He took a step forward, through the doors that creaked slightly as they opened, as if the house itself recognized his return.

As she entered, the first thing she encountered was the warm face of her mother, Elise, who extended her arms to her when she saw her.

"Honey! I'm glad you're back home

"Mom, I missed you too much

"I know my life, I can see it in your eyes, but your home has always waited for you. Elise gave her a compassionate look, and hugged her daughter, welcoming her to her true place, by her side, Ernest MacGregor, also welcomed her with open arms, Olivia was the apple of her father's and mother's eye.

2 years later

Olivia immersed herself in the news, and anticipation hung in the air as the grand ball of the agricultural entrepreneurs approached. His family was listed as the special guests, as the MacGregors were the annual winners of the prestigious best company award. Thanks to Olivia's skillful management over the past two years, the family's reputation had seen a meteoric rise.

The situation was diametrically opposite for the Martens. Their shares were falling on the stock market, and the horizon of ruin was looming ever more looming over them. As the MacGregors prepared to shine at the gala, the Martens faced a decline that threatened to erase the splendor they once possessed in the agricultural sector.

"Daughter, are you sure you want to go to that ball?" Elise tapped her daughter's shoulder, seeing her determined.

"Of course, Mom, MacGregor Industries will get the most recognition, so I'll be there to receive it, of course, if you'll allow me.

"Of course, my love! Nothing makes me happier that you are the one who receives such a well-deserved award, with your return everything was better for us, now you are the universal heir to our multimillion-dollar fortune, no one is going to humiliate you ever again.

Olivia stared at her mother, her words were so true, whoever wanted to hurt her again, should have enough courage to try, because she was no longer that submissive woman that one day they humiliated in the Martens house, on the contrary, she was imposing, mystical and calculating, and what her mother did not know,  it was that, within himself, he had an immense desire for revenge.

"Will my father go with us, Mom?" Olivia asked as she put her suitcase away

"No, my love, it's just the two of us going for now, we'll stay a couple of months at the headquarters in Houston, I know the Martens will be there, I don't want you to feel bad about that."

"Not at all, Mom, if all I want is to see their faces. Olivia adjusted her suit and went straight to her private plane with her mother, a couple of hours later, they arrived at the big airport of the city, Olivia felt how the air of that place penetrated her bones, too many stormy memories came to her head, giving her more strength to continue.

The night of the ball arrived, and they were ready for the official return of Olivia, who looked radiant, of that simple and inelegant woman there is nothing left but a bad memory.

Her shiny, silky blond hair fell over her shoulders in waves, her blue eyes protruded from under long eyelashes, and under these there were no dark circles, her body was covered by a beautiful red dress, with a sweetheart neckline, and her neck was adorned by a beautiful necklace of fine diamonds.  Each one cost a fortune.

Her firm steps and her majesty showed Olivia's reality, she was of peasant origin, yes, but she was rich and eccentric, her fortune was countless, her inheritance enviable, and her beauty enormous.

In the hall of the annual businessmen's ballroom, at a table of special guests, sat the Martens, always looking what they were no more, dressed in the most expensive suits and with a feigned smile.

Harrison became the most sought-after bachelor in town, the furtive relationship he had with the woman for which he traded Olivia, ended when she stripped him of his last properties and decided to leave with another man, thus returning the pain he caused his ex-wife.

"These parties are pathetic, mother," Harrison blurted out boredly

"You used to like them, you loved to come here to see all the beautiful women. Emma answered, as she took a sip of her fine champagne.

"Those were different times, Mom.

At the table sat Harrison, his mother, father, and younger sister, all of whom were chatting with each other, when suddenly, everything around them fell silent. The firm footsteps of two women's heels invaded instead, thus drawing attention.

Seeing who it was, Emma felt a chill run through her body, almost fainting. It couldn't be true!

"What's that woman doing here and dressed like that?" Emma looked contemptuously at Olivia, who was holding her mother's arm. Elisa was already known, but her daughter was not; She always stayed away from public life.

When Harrison saw her, his legs trembled. What had they done to his ex-wife? She couldn't be the same woman who lived with him; It was completely different, it was different. She couldn't be the Olivia she married.

"That woman shouldn't be here," muttered Joshua Martens, Harrison's father.

"She's not Olivia, obviously not!" Harrison questioned what he was seeing.

"If it's not her, then she's a lot like her," said Megan, the younger sister. Everyone was engrossed in what they were seeing; Olivia and her mother were walking closer and closer to passing him.

When they did, Olivia, even though she knew she would be passing by Harrison's side, just completely ignored him, as if he didn't exist. However, Harrison acknowledged the perfume his ex-wife wore on special occasions. As the spectacular woman walked past him, the fragrance flooded his nose, transporting him to the past that lay on his back.

"It's her!" He said impressed.

Without any control, Emma pushed her way through the guests and caught up with her arm, incredulous at what she saw and feeling that her ex-daughter-in-law was nothing more than a simple worthless peasant girl. He pulled her towards her furiously.

"What are you doing here, filthy?!" The woman blurted out furiously.

Olivia looked her up and down in disgust, snatched out of her grip sharply, and faced her.

"What's the matter, ma'am?" Do I know her? She asked wryly.

"Don't play the fool, Olivia, you peasant. Get out of here. This event is for socialites, not someone pretending to be high society like you." Olivia looked at her mother, who was making fun of Emma for her comments.

"Ma'am, I think you're the wrong person, excuse me, come on, daughter, we've got things to do," Elise interjected.

Olivia raised an eyebrow and looked her ex-mother-in-law up and down, she was so insignificant to her now. He took his mother's arm again and they went to the table that had been reserved for them.

The ceremony went as expected, while the Martens were amazed to see Olivia, but were more perplexed when they learned her true identity, the host of the dance, stood behind the microphone to announce the winner of the annual award.

—The winner of the annual award is: MacGregor Industries, and to celebrate it is here its owner, the beautiful Mrs. Elise McGregor, and with her, her beautiful daughter, Olivia McGregor, the new CEO.

The two women came to the front, smiling to receive the award, Harrison shared a look with his mother, he was terrified, he wanted to vomit when he found out who his ex-wife really was, he was so wrong when he hurt her, imagining that she was a worthless woman, and there she was, shining with her own light, revealing a truth that was hidden during the time they were married.