House of Alister: The Hidden Heir

Chapter 4

The next morning, Daniel arrived at The Allister’s Industries.

After everything he had heard yesterday, he had barely slept. His mind had replayed every detail over and over, his mother, his grandfather and his inheritance.

Yet now, as he walked through the grand glass doors of the company that was now legally his, there was a strange calm settling over him.

Like his body understood something his mind had yet to accept.

As soon as he reached the lobby, Marcus was already waiting for him near the elevator.

“Good morning, Mr. Alistair,” Marcus greeted with his voice low and steady.

Daniel gave a single nod. “Morning.” before they both entered the elevator in silence.

Finally, when the Elevator door opened, a young woman was already standing there in the hallway, holding a tablet close to her chest. Her posture was straight and her eyes were alert.

“Mr. Alistair,” Marcus said, gesturing toward her, “this is Clara Hayes. She has worked under my supervision for three years. From today onward, she will serve as your personal secretary. She is reliable.”

Clara bowed her head slightly. “It’s an honor, sir.”

Daniel studied her composure for a moment, she had pretty face, but that didn't really matter to him, what mattered to him was her efficiency and confidence and from the looks of it, she has both.

Daniel nodded. “Let’s begin the day.”

“Of course, sir,” Clara said, stepping beside him as they began walking toward the office wing. “I have your schedule for this morning, department briefings, followed by….”

Daniel raised a hand to interrupt her sharply, “Before we start that… "the Carringtons.”

Clara paused mid-step, but Marcus did not.

Daniel continued walking. “Have we ever collaborated with the Carringtons? Sponsorships, investments, any shared ventures.”

Clara blinked only once before she brought out her ipad, and began to search for the Carringtons. The soft taps followed them down the corridor.

“Yes, sir,” she said, as soon as she found the information on it. “There are several charity partnerships and one active collaboration under the Small Business Advancement Initiative.” She scrolled further. “Margaret Carrington is scheduled to even attend a meeting here later today regarding that program.”

Daniel stopped mid-step and looked at her with his expression calm and sharp.

“You’re certain?” he asked.

Clara met his gaze without hesitation. “Yes, sir. Everything is confirmed in the records. The meeting is set for this afternoon.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.

He let a slow breath out and a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips, “Cancel it,” he said finally.

Clara blinked, the surprise nearly imperceptible. “Cancel the meeting, sir?”

Daniel shook his head slightly. “Not just the meeting. Every collaboration, Every sponsorship, Every involvement, Effective immediately.”

Clara’s fingers were already moving, tapping across her iPad with efficiency.

“Yes, sir. I’ll notify the teams and prepare formal withdrawal statements. Everything will be terminated before noon.”

Daniel’s eyes drifted toward the glass walls of his new office, For a moment, he let the silence settle.

Then he turned fully toward Marcus. “And one more thing,” he said, his voice calm but it carried an authority that made Marcus straighten instinctively.

Marcus waited.

“We should announce a new owner for Allister Group,” Daniel continued. “Make it clear that he is the legitimate son, a long-lost son of the Alisters. But we reveal nothing else. No family history, no background. Just the name: Mr. D.”

Marcus’s eyebrows lifted slightly, feeling intrigued. “Anonymous, yet legitimate. That will certainly draw attention.”

Daniel nodded, a small smile appeared at the corner of his lips “Exactly. Curiosity will do half our work for us. And keep it professional. The announcement goes out today. Press release, company website, and all internal communications. Make sure it’s clean.”

Clara, still standing by with her iPad, glanced between them. “Understood, sir. I can have drafts ready within the hour. Internal teams and PR will coordinate immediately.”

Daniel’s gaze swept over the office, imagining the ripple this would create, this would create alliances shifting, everyone suddenly aware that the man steering Allister Group was not just any executive, but someone with the bloodline, the name, and now the authority, so many families would love to give their daughter in hand for marriage to this new man.

"Good,” he said finally, letting the words hang for a brief second. “Let’s have our meeting with the Westbrook Industries” His gaze moved toward Clara, then Marcus. “Isn’t the meeting supposed to start now?”

Clara nodded and gestured, "Yes sir. This way!" she said leading the way.

They began walking down the hall toward the conference room, but halfway there, Daniel felt the air shift. A sharp, cold gaze landed on him. He turned slightly and froze as soon as he saw the person.

Margaret Carrington was standing near the doorway of another office, her arms crossed, her lips were pressed in a thin line. Her eyes locked on him with so much disgust.

“Well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “What is a person of your caliber doing at the great Allister’s?”

Daniel’s step faltered for only a moment before he straightened. There was a strange calm settling over him, almost like steel threading through his veins.

“Margret, what are you doing here?"

Margret’s chin lifted, the corners of her mouth twitching in a cruel smile. “What am I doing here? Oh, Daniel, don’t play dumb. You know exactly why I’m here. I have a meeting with the Great Alisters group about the joint charity initiative—though, I must say, I didn’t expect to find you walking around here like you belong.”

Daniel’s jaw flexed. He took a single, step closer. “Funny,” he said softly, his tone edged with mocky “because as of this morning, you no longer have any partnership or collaborations with the Alisters."

"Oh! Please what the fuck are you saying?"

"You haven’t heard?" Suddenly a buzz came on her Phone she lifted her Phone to read over the screen — and the moment she saw the subject line, her whole body stiffened.

“Notice of Immediate Termination – Allister Group Collaboration Withdrawal.”

For a split second, her expression was blank, what the fuck!!