Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
She glanced at the door, adding pointedly, “And let’s not forget that leech Peggy, just waiting to bleed you dry.”
“If we don’t leave,” she warned, “we’ll be left with nothing.”
Owen frowned deeply, turning it all over in his mind.
When had everything fallen apart?
Once, his life had seemed charmed, smooth sailing.
Now, he was surrounded by enemies-and the only person left to rely on… was his mother.
Owen’s fingers clung tightly to Elsie’s urn. If she were still alive, the thought of parting with it would be too hard to bear. But now, without her, the idea of leaving made the house feel empty and hollow.
Lily noticed and stood up. “I’ve said my piece. Think it over.”
“But time’s tight. Once Yunice and Oscar catch wind of this, we might not even have the funds to leave. Starting a new life overseas would require deep pockets.”
After Lily left, Owen closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he made a call to a persistent buyer who had been offering a high price.
“I’ve decided to sell the hospital,” he said. “But the sale must include a confidentiality agreement, and the Saunders family villa will be bundled with it. If you agree to both, we’ll sign the contract this afternoon.”
The buyer asked, “In such a rush? What’s the price?”
“Two hundred billion,” Owen said flatly. “No negotiations. Our equipment alone is worth that much. If I weren’t in a hurry to offload…”
Before he could finish, the buyer cut in. “Three hundred billion. Sign today.”
Owen’s jaw dropped, unable to close his mouth.
He figured he must’ve just struck gold.
Even in Silverburgh, there were only a handful of people who could casually drop 300 billion on a rundown hospital.
But all Owen cared about now was the money.
He didn’t care who the buyer was. Money talked. And with more of it, even better.
He had a fleeting suspicion it could be a trap set by Yunice, but he brushed it aside.
That afternoon, he met with the buyer’s representative at a teahouse and signed the contract. The representative was as efficient as promised, transferring the full amount into Owen’s account on the spot.
Seeing that six-figure balance, Owen’s anxiety finally melted away.
Feeling triumphant, he casually asked, “Mind sharing who you represent? Maybe we’ll do business again.”
The man smiled coldly. “Mr. Saunders, you must be joking. You’ve got no foothold left in Silverburgh and no real talent to speak of. That 300 billion should last you the rest of your life, but if you try investing it? With your skills, you and my client won’t be working together again.”
Stung by the insult, Owen left in a huff.
He watched from his car as the agent rode off on a motorcycle and immediately guessed the buyer had to be Wyatt.
The hospital was already doomed. No one would buy it unless they had another purpose. Who else would throw money at a dead business?
Back home, Owen began preparing the immigration paperwork-but only for himself and Lily.
Peggy? She could rot in Silverburgh for all he cared.
Peggy hadn’t noticed a thing. Owen came and went as usual, and she assumed the hospital was operating just fine. She continued living the high life as the “director’s wife.”
That day, she dressed to the nines and headed out. Her goal: Pavilion Hall.
If she could get a few photos at the famed estate, she’d boost her image among the other wealthy wives. None of them had ever set foot there.
Being the first would make her the center of attention.
She hadn’t married Owen for his petty cash. He was a stepping stone. Once she climbed high enough, she planned to kick him to the curb.
But just as she lifted her hand to open the car door, a middle-aged man’s voice startled her. “You must be Owen’s woman, huh?”
Peggy screamed and flinched.
She tried to leap out of the car, but the man grabbed her wrist.
“Who the hell are you? Some homeless beggar? Let go! I’ll give you money, okay?” she shouted in a panic. Judging by his thick accent, she assumed he was either a vagrant or a mugger-clearly no good.
But the man just calmly locked the car doors and flashed a crooked grin. “You might not know me, but I bet you’ve heard of me. I’m Yunice’s father.”
Peggy glared at him. “What kind of nonsense is that? Her dad’s been dead for years! Who do you think you are?”
The man just grinned wider, revealing two rotting teeth. “My daughter’s name is Yunice. But her nickname… was Elsie. You know her, don’t you?”
Peggy scoffed in disbelief. “Of course I know Elsie. Her father was the great Dr. Will, my father-in-law. I’ve never seen a photo of him, but he sure wasn’t some greasy old lowlife like you! Quit trying to scam me. I’ll give you two hundred bucks-take it and get out, or I swear I’ll have someone beat you to death.”
She yanked two bills from her wallet and arrogantly tossed them at the man.
He let the money fall to the floor, unmoving. “I really am Elsie’s father. Call Owen. Or Lily. I know them both.”
Peggy’s patience wore thin. “Ugh, I don’t have time for this. Just get out of my car already…”
But before she could finish, something cold and sharp pressed against her neck.
The man held a knife and growled, “Call Owen and Lily. Tell them to come home. Or I’ll kill you.”
Peggy turned pale. No matter how loud her mouth, she wasn’t about to play tough with a blade at her throat.
Raising her hands in surrender, she stammered, “Okay, okay! I’ll call! Just take the knife away!”
She quickly dialed Owen, only for the bastard not to answer.
Panicking, she kept calling while cursing him under her breath.
On the third attempt, Owen finally picked up, sounding annoyed. “Didn’t I say not to call unless it’s important?”
“You think I want to call you? The study’s on fire! Get back here now or the whole house is gone!”
“What?!” Owen instantly believed her.
His and Lily’s passports were in the study. If they burned, it’d take time to replace them and delay their emigration plans.
He immediately called 119 and rushed home.
He arrived at the same time as the fire trucks-only to find the house perfectly fine.
Realizing he’d been duped-and now potentially charged with making a false emergency report-Owen was about to explode on Peggy when he froze.
There, behind her, stood the middle-aged man, gripping her wrist tightly.
Recognition struck Owen like a blow.
He quickly masked his reaction as firefighters approached, explaining calmly that it was a misunderstanding caused by a marital spat, and accepted the fine without complaint.
He had to keep things quiet. If anyone discovered that man’s identity, Elsie’s reputation-and the truth about her background-would unravel.