An Orphan Pretending To Be My Heiress Daughter Chapter 1

I wrapped up my Paris acquisition early and flew back home without telling a soul.

My plan was to go straight to my daughter's engagement banquet and give her a surprise.

Instead, standing right outside the grand ballroom, I stared at the bride's name on the gilded welcome sign: Jane Prescott.

Behind me, guests from the groom's side were chuckling among themselves.

"Now that is a real heiress of the Prescott family."

"Unlike that girl Elinor. She's just an orphan living off the Prescott family's charity, yet she had the nerve to crash the event and claim the family wanted to call off the engagement. What a complete joke!"

"Jane has such a gentle heart. Anyone else would have kicked Elinor out on the street days ago."

Elinor was my daughter.

Jane was merely the orphan my family foundation sponsored.

Yet somehow, the entire groom's side believed Jane was the true Prescott heiress, while my actual daughter was treated like a shameless gold-digger trying to climb the social ladder.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my board secretary's private number.

"Run a check for me immediately," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "I want to know who stole my daughter's identity and her engagement while I was in Paris."

* * *

The entire penthouse ballroom at The Grand Carlton had been booked out by the Mercer family.

Champagne towers, archways of fresh orchids, a dedicated press gallery, and reserved tables for major corporate partners, no expense had been spared.

The backdrop behind the main stage displayed four glaring words: The Mercer-Prescott Union.

Word on the street in Linton was that the Mercer Group's cash flow had been dangerously tight lately. Tonight wasn't just a simple engagement party for them; it was their lifeline.

I stood in the side hallway, observing from the shadows.

A few women in cocktail dresses were sipping champagne nearby.

"Isn't Victoria Prescott still in Paris?" one asked.

"That's why the Mercers are so smart," another replied with a smirk. "Announce the engagement publicly first. By the time Victoria gets back, the kid will already be on the way. How could she possibly refuse to acknowledge her own son-in-law then?"

"Jane's pregnancy came at the perfect time. The Mercer Group is completely safe now."

A third woman let out a contemptuous laugh. "What about Elinor then? I saw security stopping her at the side entrance just a moment ago."

"What can she do? A charity case who got too comfortable, actually convincing herself she's a real Prescott."

The temperature in my blood dropped to near zero.

At that moment, the doors to the bridal suite opened.

Jane stepped out. She wore a pearl-white evening gown, one hand resting softly over her belly. Her makeup was delicate, her eyes artificially reddened to look soft and fragile.

A crowd immediately swarmed around her.

"Miss Prescott, congratulations!"

"Zachary is so devoted to you. This setup is absolutely breathtaking."

"A girl raised by the Prescott family really is built different. No wonder the Mercer family treasures you so much."

Jane lowered her gaze, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Please don't call me that. If Elinor hears it, it'll make her uncomfortable."

Someone immediately jumped to her defense. "Why should she feel uncomfortable? Your family raised her for years, and now she wants to steal your fiance? People receiving charity should know their place. Jane, you're just too kind for your own good."

Jane didn't add another word. She simply offered a delicate, tearful smile.

I reached out and stopped a young businessman walking past me. "Excuse me. Is tonight's bride the daughter of Victoria Prescott?"

He looked me up and down. "Of course. Jane Prescott."

"Are you certain?"

He laughed. "What's there to doubt? She carries the Prescott name, rides in the family's private cars, and her social media is packed with photos inside the Prescott estate, private jets, and board galas. Zachary himself confirmed she's the sole heir to Prescott Enterprise."

He leaned in closer, dropping his voice. "She keeps a low profile, though. Whenever people call her Miss Prescott, she tells them not to make a fuss."

"What about Elinor?" I asked.

The man's expression twisted into disgust. "Oh, her? Word is she's just an orphan funded by the Prescott Foundation. Guess she lived in their mansion for too long and started pretending she owned the place. She even tried to crash the party tonight to cause a scene."

I didn't bother asking anything else.

Over by the side entrance, Elinor was standing near the security checkpoint.

She wore a simple black dress, holding her ID card and an invitation, blocked by two burly security guards.

"Apologies, ma'am," the guard said coldly. "Our guest list specifically notes that you are barred from entering the main hall."

Elinor's voice was soft, but steady. "The invitation specifies family members of the Prescott house. My last name is Prescott."

The guard remained impassive. "Mrs. Mercer specifically instructed us that you are a high-risk disturbance."

The second guard sneered impatiently. "Miss Jane is pregnant. Don't stress her out. If you want to wait, go sit in the holding room down the hall. Don't block the camera crew."

Elinor's face went completely pale.

She didn't scream or make a scene. She simply clutched her ID card tightly in her palm.

My daughter, standing outside an engagement party meant for her, was labeled as a trashy intruder while a fraud stole her life.

I almost rushed over to hold her. But I forced myself to stop.

Holding her right now would only bring her tears.

I needed every single person inside that hall to see who the real joke was.

I looked back at Jane, who was surrounded by applause, softly rubbing her belly while accepting blessings. Then I looked at Elinor, standing alone outside the doors of her own home's legacy.

A cold laughter boiled in my chest.

The Mercer family thought they could corner me into backing their loans tonight. They had no idea that I detest being cornered.

And I especially detest parasites using my daughter's dignity as a stepping stone.