CHAPTER 1 The Woman Everyone Mistook for the Future Mrs. Carter
The private airport buzzed with excitement as ground crews prepared for the arrival of one of the country's most luxurious private jets. Luxury cars lined the runway while executives, investors, and security personnel waited for billionaire Daniel Carter to return from an overseas business trip.
Among the distinguished guests stood Vanessa Hart.
Dressed in a designer purple silk gown, diamond earrings sparkling beneath the afternoon sun, and carrying a Hermès handbag, she looked every bit the woman the magazines had spent months calling Daniel Carter's future wife.
Vanessa certainly believed the headlines.
Only a few feet away stood Emily, dressed in a simple gray uniform with almost no makeup and no jewelry. She quietly held the hand of little Lucas Carter, who refused to leave her side.
Vanessa couldn't resist.
"Still playing babysitter?"
Emily answered with nothing more than a polite smile.
Lucas immediately squeezed Emily's hand tighter.
"I like Emily."
Vanessa laughed.
"Of course you do. She gets paid to be nice to you."
Several executives exchanged uncomfortable glances, but nobody interrupted her. Emboldened by the silence, Vanessa continued mocking Emily's plain clothes and ordinary appearance.
"Tell me," she asked sarcastically, "what's it like spending every day surrounded by wealth you'll never have?"
Emily calmly met her eyes.
"I've never measured my life by money."
The answer irritated Vanessa even more.
Before she could respond, the roar of jet engines echoed across the runway.
May you like
Daniel Carter's aircraft had arrived.
Vanessa immediately adjusted her hair, smoothed her dress, and smiled confidently, convinced the moment she had dreamed about was finally here.
