House of Alister: The Hidden Heir

Chapter 4

Daniel walked out of the study with the folder still in his hand, his mind spinning. The moment he stepped outside, the cold morning air slapped him back to reality. Eighty-five percent. Legal heir. Alister Group.

It all felt unreal… but heavy in his chest at the same time.

He pulled open the door of the black car and slid in. “Back to the Carringtons,” he said quietly.

Marcus nodded and picked up his phone instantly.

“Should I prepare an announcement for the board?” he asked.

Daniel stared out the window, his jaw tightening. “Yes. Tell them to announce the new president. The Alister heir is ready.”

Marcus didn’t ask questions. “Understood, sir.”

As the car rolled through the city, Daniel’s eyes drifted over the passing storefronts—until they landed on a Chanel boutique near the corner. He blinked twice. For some reason, the only thing that came to his mind was Sophie.

Her soft voice and Her quiet loyalty.

She had been there when he had nothing.

Now that he had the world… she was still the first thing he thought of.

“Stop the car,” Daniel said suddenly.

Marcus shot him a confused look in the mirror but obeyed.

Daniel stepped out, his hands in his pockets, staring at the boutique’s glass doors. Chanel. The kind of place he had never dared set foot in because he knew he could never afford anything inside.

Now he could buy everything in the entire store without blinking.

But all he wanted was something Classy, something beautiful. Something Sophie deserved.

Daniel pushed the glass door open and told Marcus to stay put in the car. The store attendants turned immediately, their eyes ran over him from head to toe, his plain shirt, his worn-out sneakers, no watch and no luxury branding that they was used to.

Their polite smiles immediately faded

One of the women leaned close to the other and whispered, not quietly enough.

“Another window-shopper.”

“Maybe he’s lost.”

“Or delivering something.”

Daniel heard everything. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t say a word.

A tall attendant finally stepped forward, forcing a tight smile. “Sir… this is Chanel. Our items are quite expensive. You may want to try the stores across the street.”

Daniel tightened his jaw and scanned the whole Building. “I’m here to buy a dress.” He uttered confidently.

The woman’s smile twitched. “Right. Of course.”

She folded her arms. “And what is your budget, sir?”

“Show me your best pieces,” Daniel said calmly.

The attendants exchanged looks—then laughed together. The laughter was so embarrassing to Daniel

An attendant shook her head and looked at Daniel, "Sir, the cheapest dress here is twelve thousand dollars and i don't think a man like you can be able to afford that."

Daniel’s lips twitched in disbelief at how boldly they judged him.

If they knew who they were talking to, that he was not a nobody and he could buy the entire building within a snap of his finger.

But he didn’t bother explaining. “I said,” Daniel repeated calmly, “show me your best pieces, now. Don't make me repeat myself or I will have you fired." He said in annoyance.

The two attendants froze at Daniel’s words.

The confidence in his voice didn’t match his clothes, nor his appearance and for a brief second, they felt so confused.

But then the shorter one scoffed. “Fired? Sir, you don’t even look like someone who can afford a keychain here.”

Daniel inhaled slowly, forcing down the sting in his chest. He wasn’t offended for himself, he had lived most of his life being looked down on. But today… today, he wasn't going to tolerate anymore scorn.

He unclenched his jaw and met the woman’s gaze with a cold eyes. “If your manager is in,” he said quietly, “call them. Right now.”

The attendant opened her mouth to argue, but a firm voice interrupted. "Sir...."

Before she could finish her words, a voice interrupted from behind.

“What is going on here?”

Everyone turned to look and judging by his appearance, Daniel could tell it was the manager that was approaching, his hair was sleek and he wore a professional composure. Her eyes landed on Daniel, then shifted to the two attendants who had gone pale at his sight.

“S...sir..." one of them stammered, “he...he came in saying he wants our best pieces but...”

“And then they proceeded to laugh,” Daniel finished calmly, “and implied I couldn’t afford anything here.”

A muscle in the manager’s cheek twitched. He looked at Daniel's outfit from head to toe, and judging from his looks, he had the same perspection with the attendants. However, unlike the attendants, he assesed Daniel’s Confidence and decided to approach it in a more calmer and professional manner.

She turned sharply to the staff. “Is that true?”

But they did not answer, rather their heads were bowed in fear and respect. They knew they had approached Daniel in an unprofessional way and seeing their manager, they knew they had gotten into trouble.

"Ma'am, he....He..." One tried to say.

“Out,” The manager said with a clipped tone, not ready to listen to whatever they wanted to say, “Both of you. Now.”

The attendants gasped. “Wait....sir...”

“I said out.”

They walked away reluctantly, throwing Daniel one last glare.

The manager exhaled and faced him again, her tone shifted immediately into a professional and respectful tone.

“My deepest apologies, sir. That behavior is unacceptable. Please… allow me to assist you personally.” She gestured politely. “You asked for our best pieces?”

Daniel nodded once. “Yes, exactly”

His posture straightened. “Right this way, sir.”

He led him toward the VIP section, and gestured round the gigantic and filled luxury items, “May I ask… what style are you looking for?”

Daniel hesitated for a heartbeat. He had no idea what Sophie would want—he had never bought anything luxurious in his life. He exhaled slowly, reached into his pocket, and pulled out his phone.

He found her photo—the one she took last week, which shows her body shape with sunlight radiating her skin, he turned the screen toward the manager.

“This is her,” he said quietly.

The manager leaned closer, and his brows lifted slightly. “She’s beautiful,” He said with genuine admiration.

Daniel felt something tighten warmly in his chest. “Yes,” he murmured. “She is.”

The manager took the phone carefully, studying Sophie’s features with a professional eye, her delicate frame, the gentle calmness she carried even in the picture.

“She has a timeless look,” the manager noted thoughtfully. “Elegant. Soft. She would suit something simple but high-end… something that enhances her natural grace rather than overshadows it.”

Daniel listened intently, almost anxious to get it right. “I want something that… fits her,” he said, his voice low. “Something that tells her she deserves the world.”

The manager paused for a moment—Daniel’s sincerity catched him off guard. He had met wealthy buyers, arrogant CEOs, spoiled heirs… but this man, in worn-out sneakers, spoke with more devotion than all of them combined.

“Of course,” she said, her voice softening. “I have the perfect pieces in mind.”

She walked toward a secure glass wardrobe and pressed her fingerprint on the lock. The door clicked open, revealing dresses displayed behind warm golden lighting.

“These are from our exclusive couture line. Only three pieces exist globally.”

Daniel didn’t blink. “Show me.”

The manager carefully pulled out a breathtaking silk gown—a soft champagne gold with a delicate draped neckline and hand-beaded details that shimmered like quiet stars.

When she laid it before him, Daniel’s breath hitched. He didn’t know fashion—but he knew beauty. And this… this looked like Sophie.

The manager watched him. “This is twenty-four thousand dollars, Do you want to see others?” she asked politely.

Daniel looked at him, it was the definition of perfection. He instantly shook his head. "No need to see others. She’ll look perfect in this.”

The manager smiled. "Very well. I’ll have it packed.”

He called an assistant from the VIP floor, this one was well-trained, respectful and polite, He then instructed her to pack the dress ready. The assistant bowed quickly and hurried off with the dress.

“Would you like to add shoes? Bag? Accessories?” the manager asked.

Daniel paused. He didn’t know anything about fashion… but the thought of Sophie glowing from head to toe made his chest warm.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “Everything she’ll need. Choose whatever fits. I trust your judgment.” He said with a smile.

The manager nodded with a smile before he proceeded to carry out the instructions.

Daniel’s heart filled with joy, he was going to appreciate his wife today and he couldn't wait to see her reaction when he finally gives her