Sienna Winchester had it all – beauty, brains and billions as the heiress to New York’s most powerful business empires - Sky Group and Sky Corporation. But on the night, she’s meant to be finally introduced to the world and inaugurated as the new CEO, her world shatters. She’s exposed as an impostor by her uncle. Sienna watches helplessly as another woman claims her birthright and, in an instant, she loses everything – her name, her fortune and her identity. Now a wanted woman, Sienna is forced to flee with only the help of her father’s loyal driver and right-hand man when he was alive and a jade pendant that holds more secrets than she could ever imagine. Her only hope for redemption lies with the last person she ever expected to need: Sebastian Lucian Grey, the ex-fiance whose heart she broke three years ago. As Sienna races to uncover the truth about her past and clear her name, she’ll confront shocking family secrets, ruthless corporate scandals and a love she thought she’d lost forever. What is worse… could she trust Sebastian who was colder, more ruthless and looked at her with eyes filled with hatred. But why was he helping her? Can she reclaim her identity and her rightful place? Or will the lies that built her life be the same ones to destroy her? What of Sebastian? Will he forgive her and let go after three years? Or is he part of the people who wanted her gone badly? In the end, he must choose between love and family. Finally, can she convince Sebastian to look past their painful history? Or will the secrets of her past doom them both? *** “Sebastian, please. I need your help,”. His dark eyes, once warm with love, ran through the length of her body with amusement and a smirk on his lips. “The great Sienna Winchester begging me? How the mighty have fallen,”. “I have nothing left. You’re my only hope,”. A cruel smile played on his lips. “Funny. That’s exactly how you left me three years ago,”. Sienna swallowed hard. “I know I hurt you -,”. “You destroyed me,” Sebastian interrupted his voice like ice. “Now you want me to save you?” He leans in close, his breath hot against her ear “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t call the police and hand you over to them,”. ...
Amelia (Janice) POV
I woke up to the sound of loud, arguing voices in the living room.
This was the nicest and most comfortable bed I've ever slept on all my life. Growing up in an orphanage, we only got to sleep on a single, hard bed without sharing with another person when we became teenagers. After I came of age and left, life was still so hard and I ended up staying in a hostel with 8 other girls in the room.
Sunlight filtered through the French windows in my room, bathing it with a warm glow that glinted off the polished marble floor. There was a pristine white sofa in the corner and a vanity table that shone like a diamond with a lot of nice products that smelt as nice as they looked.
This was my life now. I am a Winchester – the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Winchester, CEO of Sky Corporation and Heiress to Sky Group and yes… I love it!!!
Stretching like a cat, I got out of bed and strolled towards the living room where the shouting was coming from. It was my uncle… fake uncle – Philip Winchester raving at the top of his voice to four burly men in black suits.
"You all are fools. Big, stupid morons," he lashed "How big is Sienna and Monty that you cannot capture them. You said you were the best in the business but this is nearly five days now and you've failed to catch them. Are you sure you're professionals?"
"We'll catch them soon, sir," one of the men said quietly "We just need more time,".
"And you think I have all the time in the world," Philip hissed.
One of the men opened his mouth to speak again when Philip silenced him with a glare. "No more excuses. I don't care what you do or who you meet but you have until the end of today to find them and bring them to me or I will ensure you're blacklisted from every security firm in this city also, don't bother coming back if you don't have them. Is that clear?" he yelled.
"Yes boss," the men yelled in unison and sprinted out of the room.
Rolling my eyes at the scene, I crossed over to the kitchenette at the corner of the room to pour myself a cup of coffee. After taking a sip, I faced Philip who was frowning at his phone.
"Why are you so worked up about finding Sienna?" I took a sip from my cup "She's a nobody now. No one will listen to her, she doesn't have two cents to her name and without the Winchester tag, she'll be just like everyone. You shouldn't worry so much about her,".
"Don't be a fool, Amelia," he flashed me an annoyed look "Sienna may be penniless and without the Winchester's protection but she's with Monty – her late father's most trusted man. He worked under the guise of a driver but Steven took him everywhere. He was present in all his meetings so he knows everything about Sky Group and also how to have us removed,".
"But all the people who worked with the former chairman have sworn their loyalty to me… who will Monty meet for help?"
"For Pete's sake," he rolled his eyes and braced his hands on the kitchen island, leaning forward to drill his words into me "Monty disappeared right after Steven died only to conveniently resurface now that Sienna needs him. He helped her escape the police that day and has successfully hidden her for 5 whole days. Isn't that concerning? Monty is more dangerous than he looks and he will try to help her get back everything,".
"Still, we control a lot of organizations now… even if he tries to show up…".
"Shut up, Amelia!" he screeched "You're so dumb and I don't want to hear the dumb things you say from that mouth of yours. Thank God your looks make up for what your brain lacks. So, just be Amelia Winchester and keep your mouth out of important business,".
"Fine!" I rolled my eyes and came to settle on the sofa in the living room. "So, what do we have planned for today?"
"I scheduled a meeting this afternoon with a representative from Blackway Industries. We need to arrive at least thirty minutes before time to show that we're ready to work with them. If this handover and story we're trying to sell to America should work, we need an affiliation from Blackway A.S.A.P. As New York's number two company, who knows maybe we might impress their chairman enough to finally meet us in person.".
"Really?" I gave him a curious look, sitting up straighter. "This…Mr Black, What's so special about him? Everyone has his name on their lips since I arrived here,".
"Do you know anything?" he sighed and shook his head "Mr Black appeared a few years ago. At first, no one took his company seriously but in less than four months, he built his empire, entered the International and Global markets and even overtook Sky Group and Sky Corporation. But the thing is, no one has ever seen him. His representatives are so loyal and always in business mode. So, he sends them in his place all the time but my sources say he wields more power and influential connections more than even the President himself,".
"Now, I'm so eager to meet him," I squealed with delight drawing another disdainful stare from Philip.
"That's why when we meet, I need you to impress the representative. Who knows, he might recommend you to Mr Black and we might even propose a marriage alliance to officially bind our families.".
"Really?" I clapped my hand with glee "I'd love that so much".
"Then you need to take extra care with your appearance. This is the life you stole from Sienna… it's glamorous and seems easy but there's nothing easy about it. So, I need you to keep your head down, take your lessons and don't forget that the success or failure of everything rests solely on you. Don't ruin it,".
"I am not ruining it, Uncle Philip," I sighed "And could you go easy on me? I understand you're frustrated about the whole thing going on with Sienna but you're taking out your anger on me. I've done everything you told me from the first day until this point. It's a little unfair that you won't even give me credit for what I've done so far,".
"What have you done so far, Amelia?" he scoffed "Talking to the press and meeting with the shareholders and our investors? Have you forgotten that I had to tell you everything to say? You had a script for Chrissakes, Amelia… So you did nothing. Instead of lapping up luxury like a spoiled housecat, you could put more effort into your language classes. You're Winchester, you must exude grace and elegance,".
"Fine!" she said flatly.
"I'm going out now, make sure you're dressed and ready to meet me at the hotel by noon. The driver will be ready to pick you up by that time, so be ready before that, okay? And don't forget…" the corners of his lips raised into a sneer "You stole this life from Sienna and it could be ripped away even quicker if you squander the opportunity. See you later,".
He turned on his heel and stormed from the room. Alone, I leaned back against the plush cushion, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across my features. This life is not going to get snatched from me… it was supposed to be my life from the get-go and it was Sienna who stole it from me.
I was supposed to be adopted by the Winchesters but somehow, she warmed her way into their hearts and I was dropped but this is my world now. A life of premium enjoyment, status and privilege.
Noone is going to take me away from this, not even Philip Winchester. I know he liked that I looked stupid and I was going to keep it that way until my official appointment. So, I would savour every heavenly, expensive moment that was supposed to be Sienna's.
That spoiled brat is never coming back… I will make sure of it. Picking up my phone, I dialled a number.
"Hello!" a voice answered on the second ring.
"I'm going to send you a picture of something I need you to help me take care of and did you get your money yesterday?"
"Yes!" the voice said gruffly "I saw on the TV that you're now a rich girl in some rich family. Is that true?"
"Yes," I said sweetly "So you might want to play nice to me or else I'll have you ass in jail. Anyways, I'm going to send a picture to you now, take care of it permanently and I'll pay three times the usual amount,".
"Five times more," the man said firmly "You're a rich girl now Janice you should spend the money while it's still yours,".
"Fine!" I rolled my eyes, "Five time more and an extra tip if you can deliver within 24 hours,".
The Winchester legacy belonged to me now!