Chapter 3: The World Takes Notice
Harlee sat in her penthouse, the morning sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her laptop was open, and her designs were spread across the screen. She had spent the entire night refining her latest project, a groundbreaking piece of technology that would revolutionize the aerospace industry.
As she sipped her coffee, her phone buzzed with notifications. The news of her identity being revealed had gone viral overnight. Reporters, investors, and curious onlookers were all trying to reach her. Harlee ignored most of the messages, but one email caught her eye.
It was from the National Astronomy Group, inviting her to join their team as a mentor. Harlee smiled to herself. This was exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for.
She quickly typed out a response, accepting the invitation. Then she leaned back in her chair, her mind already racing with ideas. Harlee wasn’t just a designer; she was a visionary, and the world was finally starting to see it.
Meanwhile, the Gill family was in turmoil. The news of Harlee’s success had hit them like a tidal wave. Averie paced the living room, her face flushed with anger. “How could this happen? Harlee was supposed to be nothing! Now she’s some kind of genius? It doesn’t make sense!”
Adelina sat on the couch, her hands clenched into fists. She had been the center of attention just hours ago, but now all anyone could talk about was Harlee. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered. “She’s just lucky. That’s all it is.”
Liam, however, was silent. He stared at the news article on his phone, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. Pride, regret, and a deep sense of guilt. He had underestimated Harlee, and now he was paying the price.
“Maybe we were wrong about her,” he said quietly.
Averie whirled around to face him. “Wrong? Liam, she’s not our daughter! Adelina is. Harlee was just a mistake, and now she’s trying to make us look bad.”
Liam shook his head. “She’s not trying to make us look bad. She’s just… living her life. And apparently, she’s doing it better than any of us could have imagined.”
Adelina’s eyes narrowed. “Dad, don’t tell me you’re feeling sorry for her. She’s not part of this family anymore. She never was.”
Liam didn’t respond. He just stared out the window, his mind racing.
Harlee, meanwhile, was already making her next move. She had accepted the invitation from the National Astronomy Group and was preparing for her first meeting with them. But that wasn’t all. She had also received a message from a mysterious figure, someone who had been following her work for years.
The message was simple: “I’ve been watching you. You’re more impressive than I imagined. Let’s meet.”
Harlee wasn’t sure who this person was, but she was intrigued. She had always been one step ahead, and now it seemed like someone was finally catching up.
She typed out a reply: “Name the time and place.”
The response came almost immediately: “Tonight. The Skyline Lounge. 8 PM.”
Harlee smiled. This was getting interesting.
That evening, Harlee arrived at the Skyline Lounge, a sleek, upscale bar with a stunning view of the city. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant black dress, her hair pulled back into a loose bun. She looked every bit the confident, brilliant woman she was.
As she walked in, she noticed a man sitting at a corner table, his back to the room. He was tall, with broad shoulders and an air of mystery. Harlee approached the table, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
“Harlee Sanderson,” the man said, his voice deep and smooth. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Harlee sat down across from him, her eyes meeting his. He was handsome, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes. But there was something else about him, something dangerous.
“Who are you?” she asked, her tone calm but firm.
The man smiled, a slow, deliberate smile. “My name is Damien Blackwood. And I think you and I are going to do great things together.”
Harlee raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Damien leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers. “You’re brilliant, Harlee. But you’re also ambitious. And that’s a dangerous combination. I can help you take your work to the next level. But first, you need to trust me.”
Harlee studied him for a moment, her mind racing. She didn’t trust easily, but there was something about Damien that intrigued her.
“Trust is earned,” she said finally. “So prove it.”
Damien’s smile widened. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
As the night went on, Harlee and Damien talked for hours, their conversation ranging from technology to astronomy to the secrets of the universe. Harlee found herself drawn to his intelligence and ambition, but she also sensed a darkness in him, a hunger for power.
By the time they parted ways, Harlee knew one thing for certain: Damien Blackwood was going to be a part of her life, whether she liked it or not.
And she wasn’t sure which it was yet.
Back at the Gill family villa, Adelina was seething. She had spent the entire day trying to distract herself from the news about Harlee, but it was no use. Harlee’s success was all anyone could talk about.
Adelina picked up her phone and dialed a number. “Collin,” she said when he answered. “We need to talk.”
Collin George, her fiancé, sounded distracted. “What’s wrong, Adelina?”
“It’s Harlee,” she said, her voice tight with anger. “She’s trying to ruin everything. We need to do something about her.”
Collin sighed. “Adelina, Harlee’s not trying to ruin anything. She’s just living her life. Maybe you should focus on us instead.”
Adelina’s eyes narrowed. “You’re defending her? After everything she’s done?”
“I’m not defending her,” Collin said patiently. “I’m just saying that maybe you’re overreacting. Harlee’s not a threat to us.”
Adelina clenched her teeth. “You don’t understand. She’s always been a threat. And now she’s more dangerous than ever.”
Collin didn’t respond, and Adelina hung up, her mind racing. She wasn’t going to let Harlee win. Not now, not ever.
Harlee, meanwhile, was already planning her next move. She had the National Astronomy Group, Damien Blackwood, and a world of possibilities ahead of her.
The Gills thought they had cast her aside, but Harlee was just getting started.
And she wasn’t going to stop until she reached the top.