House of Alister: The Hidden Heir

Chapter 5

The assistant returned with the dress carefully wrapped in layers of silk paper and placed inside a luxurious white Chanel box tied with a black ribbon. Behind her, another staff member approached carrying matching items the manager had selected—heels, a small clutch, and a delicate necklace that shimmered faintly under the store’s warm lights.

The manager turned to Daniel.

“Everything has been coordinated to complement the dress."

Daniel nodded once, his lips pressed together as he tried to keep his rising emotions contained.

“Good.”

The items were placed on the counter one by one; each was handled like fragile treasure. Daniel looked at them, imagining them on Sophie and the softness she carried so naturally.

She deserved everything and more.

The manager tapped something on the register. “Sir, the total is..."

“I don’t need the total,” Daniel said calmly, pulling out the black card Marcus had given him at the hospital. “Just charge it.”

He knew that no matter the price that was called for the product, it was nothing near the amount in the bank account.

The manager accepted the card with both hands, almost ceremoniously. “Right away, sir.”

While she processed the payment, Daniel’s phone buzzed. He opened his phone and realized it was from Marcus.

The news has been prepared. Should we post it right away?

Marcus waited silently, his hands on the steering wheel, before Daniel finally exhaled and opened his eyes. Something had shifted in him—like clarity settling into place.

“Marcus,” he said quietly.

“Yes, sir?”

Daniel looked out the window, watching the city blur past. “About the announcement… I’ve changed my mind.”

Marcus stiffened slightly, listening.

“If we post it now, the Carringtons will know who I truly am,” Daniel continued. “And thinking about it… I’m not ready for that. Not yet.”

Marcus nodded slowly. “So… should I cancel?”

“No.” Daniel shook his head. “We’ll still release it.”

Marcus blinked in confusion. “But… sir… what do you mean?”

“Not under my name.” Daniel’s tone sharpened with decision. “Prepare the announcement using the name ‘Mr. D’ only. No photo. No details. Nothing about the Alister inheritance, nothing about my identity. Just the statement.”

Marcus processed this for a moment, then nodded firmly. “Understood, sir. Anonymous. Only ‘Mr. D.’ Nothing else.”

“Yes.” Daniel leaned back. “This way, the board gets the message… but the Carringtons don’t get answers they don’t deserve yet.”

Marcus allowed himself a faint smile. “Smart move, sir.”

Daniel closed his eyes again, satisfied.

“Post it exactly like that.”

“Right away.”

Marcus lifted his phone and typed quickly. After a few seconds, a soft buzz confirmed the message had been delivered.

“It’s done, sir,” Marcus said.

Daniel gave a slow nod. “Good.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He was going to hide and protect his identity as much as he could. The last thing he wanted was for the Carringtons to see him as a source of upliftment. He was going to prove himself to them.

He quickly picked up the Chanel items that he had bought and adjusted them beside him, his fingers brushing over the smooth ribbon.

The VIP attendant approached quickly and opened the car door for Daniel, bowing respectfully. Daniel stepped out of the boutique with a calm, confident stride. He looked at his phone and noticed it was just 2 p.m. Sophie must still be at work; she had been so stressed lately dealing with office deadlines.

A small smile tugged at his lips. Good. He’d rather show up at her office to brighten her day and make her happier.

He pulled the back seat door open and set the Chanel bags neatly on the seat, making sure the box didn’t tilt.

“Marcus,” he said, settling back, “let’s go… to Sophie’s office. It’s on Brookfield Avenue.”

“Yes, sir,” Marcus replied, adjusting and putting the car into motion.

Soon, Marcus drove toward Brookfield Avenue, and Daniel spent the entire drive imagining Sophie’s reaction when she opened the box. The thought alone softened something in his chest, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

They soon got to Sophie’s office. The building came into view faster than expected. Marcus parked by the curb, and Daniel stepped out with the Chanel items in his hand.

He was allowed entry by the receptionist because he had been to the building on several occasions as Sophie’s husband. He walked through the lobby and took the elevator to the third floor, which was Sophie’s floor, with a smile on his face.

When he reached the hallway leading to her office, he put his hand on the doorknob, ready to open the door, when he heard a woman's voice from inside.

“Sophie! You don’t understand what we are telling you. Your worthless husband is not the one for you. You are too pretty for someone like him!!” a woman barked with contempt.

And that made Daniel’s hand on the knob drop as he froze.

Another voice in the room joined, “Come on, just let him go.”

Daniel felt an ache in his chest, although he had heard worse from people before. But hearing it now, right outside Sophie’s office… it hit differently.

He leaned closer to the door, not to spy—but because he needed to know if she agreed. He needed to hear her.

Then Sophie responded, sounding tired but firm—the way she sounded when she’d been pushed too far.

“Enough, guys. You two don’t know him. Daniel may not have everything figured out, but he’s not a loser. He’s trying. He works hard. He’s kind. And I won’t sit here and let anyone talk about him like that.”

There was a thick silence that followed before a girl scoffed under her breath. “Sophie, you deserve better.”

“And that’s my decision,” Sophie replied. “Now please… leave it alone.”

Daniel felt something warm spread through his chest. Sophie, his wife, was defending him in his absence. His heart was filled with pride, and a small smile escaped his lips.

He put his hand on the doorknob and pulled the door open.

Immediately, everyone turned to see Daniel walk in with a smile.

One of the two women scoffed, seeing his face. “I wonder what is funny!!” she said, rolling her eyes.

The other one replied with a smirk. To them, a loser like Daniel had no right to smile.

Daniel and Sophie ignored them.

Sophie rose up and smiled back at Daniel. “Dan. What are you doing here?” she asked.

Daniel extended the wrapped Chanel items that he had just bought for Sophie. “I bought you these!!” he said.

Sophie looked at him with surprise. He had been giving her little presents, but judging from the weight of what Daniel had just handed over, it seemed like it was something valuable.

The two women who were standing by the corner looked at each other with surprise but quickly masked it as soon as possible.

“Open it!” Daniel gestured.

Sophie opened her drawer and took out scissors. She began to slowly unwrap the items with anticipation.