VICTORIA raised her head and met Eyre’s gaze when she entered the office.

“What?” Victoria asked and then returned her gaze on whatever she was browsing.

“A certain Nicolas Miguel Aragon is here. He said he has an appointment with you, which I am not aware of.” Eyre raised a brow.

It’s been months since she started working for Victoria as her right-hand person. She brought her to meetings and other social events she’d been to. Victoria said it was part of preparing her as her heiress to the empire that she built. But Eyre wasn’t that interested at all. Her mind was busy thinking about the man she had yearned to see for months now—Christian Marco Herondale—who haunts her even in her dreams.

Victoria wasn’t giving her any update about Christian. But instead of feeling dismayed, Eyre has been silent about the matter because she knew how Victoria works. Once all the essential information has been gathered, Victoria will give it to her.

“Let him in,” Victoria said without looking at her.

“I guess he’s someone special,” Eyre teased.

Her foster mother was single since they met, did not bother to marry another man when her husband died. Instead, she worked hard every single day and grew an empire.

Victoria raised her head and glared at Eyre. It made her laugh. Of course, Eyre was expecting her to do that. But it did not scare her at all. Victoria might be Eyre’s foster mother, but she treats her more like an elder sister. And Victoria doesn’t mind that, as long as their relationship was harmonious, she won’t give a damn.

“Special, no. But he’s the best private detective in town and my most trusted person to do such job.” Victoria placed her elbows above the table, she clasped her hands. “Let him in, Eyre. I’m pretty sure you will be glad to hear whatever he has to say.”

Eyre’s eyes widened.

She rushed out of Victoria’s office and went to the visitor’s lounge, where Nicolas was waiting.

“Excuse me,” she called.

Nicolas turned to her with a boyish grin. If not for Christian, she will fall for that.

He gracefully stood up, picked the brown envelope above the table, and went to Victoria’s office. Eyre followed him.

“Have a seat,” said Victoria.

Nicolas sat down on the visitor’s chair. He handed Victoria the envelope.

Eyre eyed the envelope, she felt her stomach tightened. There was something in there. Perhaps, a piece of good news?

Victoria turned to her. “Have a seat, too, Eyre.”

Eyre did what she was told. She sat across Nicolas.

“So, how’s the investigation going?” Victoria tapped the envelope.

Eyre turned to Nicolas. Her heart was beating like a drum. She was filled with anticipation and nervous at the same time.

“I think I just hit two birds with one stone, V,” Nicolas responded.

Victoria’s brow raised. “Why?”

Nicolas glanced at her and then turned to Victoria again. “Remember when you told me to look for Tessa Margaret Alde? I can’t find any lead about her, but now I found something. She’s Christian Marco Herondale’s fiancée.”

Eyre stilled, shocked by what she heard about Tessa and Christian.

Tessa and Eyre were twins, but they got separated during childhood when their mother decided to live with another man. Eyre was left at a shelter while her twin Tessa lived with their mother. She was furious because she got left behind so, she promised herself that she will have her revenge no matter what. Eyre blamed her mother and twin sister for making her life miserable. And then, she met Victoria.

Victoria came to the shelter one day, looking for someone to adopt. At that time Eyre was doubtful that she will be chosen because she was old enough, she was ten and was about to leave the shelter for good. But still, she chose her. Victoria said there was something in her that made her different from the others. Maybe, she saw the determination in her eyes, flamed by hatred. Victoria promised everything to Eyre. A good life, everything that she’ll ever want. Even that revenge that she had been dreaming of.

Victoria’s first gift to Eyre was finding her family. It took them years to find a lead, and now everything was in the hands of Victoria, inside that thick brown envelope.

“Spill the tea, Nicolas,” Victoria commanded.

“Tessa and Christian were engaged and were about to get married three years ago. But he was left at the altar. Nobody knows why and where Tessa had gone to. Even now, Christian was on the hunt for Tessa. I was really dumbfounded after learning their connection. After tailing Christian, I got some information about Tessa when she was with him. Everything was inside that envelope. I also have some information about Christian’s life and his itinerary for the next few days.” Nicolas explained in a very professional manner.

“Eyre…” Victoria’s voice pulled her out of reverie. She handed her the envelope. “It’s up to you now what to do next.”

Her fist tightened, too tight that her knuckles hurt. Hate flooded her mind, heart, and soul.

“I want Christian…” Now she wanted him even more. Eyre will take advantage of the fact that his fiancée was her twin sister.

“Nicolas, can you do us a favor?” asked Victoria. “Can you fabricate a lead for Christian? Something that will lead him to Eyre.”

“Is it okay with you to do the dirty works?” Eyre turned to Nicolas.

“No need to worry, darling. Nicolas doesn’t work for the government, he’s a private detective. And he has done a lot of dirty works for me.” Victoria smiled devilishly.

Eyre’s lips twitched, such a loyal man. Must be fairly compensated.

“Let her attend the charity masquerade ball sponsored by CMH Enterprise. Christian will be there. If he sees Eyre, it will be easy for us to feed him the bait,” Nicolas suggested.

Victoria nodded, showing her approval.

“What are we gonna do with Tessa? We have to find her before Christian does.” Eyre opened the envelope and scanned the files.

“You don’t have to worry, darling. When Christian sees you, he’ll stop finding your sister. As for Tessa, we will find her no matter what,” Victoria assured her. “But, Eyre…”

She met Victoria’s gaze, her eyes were full of worry.

“What?”

“Is it okay with you to live as Tessa?” Victoria heaved a sigh.

Of course, Victoria knew how much she hated her biological family that she changed her name even though she gave her a choice not to. And now, she must live as Tessa Margaret Alde, the person she hated the most.

“It’s okay, Victoria.” As long as she gets Christian.

“I can’t stop thinking why Tessa did that.” They both turned at Nicolas's direction when he spoke. “I mean, Christian was every woman’s dream, and she had him. She chose to leave him on their wedding day.”

“Tessa’s always been the hypocrite one.” Eyre scoffed. “Weak-minded. Easily swayed.”

Tessa was her exact opposite.

“You must come up with a great story to win Christian’s heart.” Victoria kept tapping her fingers on the table, a mannerism of hers whenever she was thinking about something.

Eyre stared blankly at the ceiling as if she would find the answer there. She will pose as Tessa, and she needs a great story to win Christian’s heart.

“Tessa did not run away from Christian. She was involved in a car accident, had amnesia, lived as someone else. Now, her memories are back. And I, Eyre, will take her place in Christian’s life.”

Victoria’s lips twitched. “Such a tear-jerking story.”