Ghost Mom Helped Me Reclaim Billion-Dollar Inheritance

When I found out I was the billionaires illegitimate daughter, I raced over to meet my father, my heart pounding with excitement.

But when I arrived at Thorne Manor, I discovered 98 other illegitimate daughters already lined up, waiting for their chance to meet him too.

As it turned out, Mr. Thornes only son had passed away, and he was searching for an heir to his multi-billion-dollar empire.

Hed gathered all his illegitimate daughters, hoping to find the strongest successor through a series of challenges.

Feeling completely outmatched, I hung my head, ready to slip away quietly.

Suddenly, I heard my late mother Eleanors voice speaking to me:

Scarlett, dont go! I know how you can win this. Remember your arch-rival from the orphanage? Valerie? Shes one of them too! If you walk away now, that multi-billion-dollar fortune will all go to her!

I spun around, and sure enough, there was Valeries face staring back at me.

Ten years ago, shed locked me in that dusty, rat-infested storage room, stolen my shot at adoption, and condemned me to another decade of misery. The memory made anger burn in my chest.

Alright, Mom. Im listening. Im not leaving.

Mr. Thornes billions? Theyre as good as mine!

My arch-rival Valerie recognized me right away:

Scarlett? Why arent you still stuck in that back alley? What are you doing at Mr. Thornes place? Dont tell me youre here to steal something? A street rat like you doesnt belong here.

I clenched my fists, ready to fire back a retort.

Mr. Thorne slowly descended the grand staircase, his gaze sweeping over all of us.

For years, Ive failed as a father. I owe all of you an apology.

So Ive prepared $200,000 for each of you as compensation. Those who want it can register with Alfred, the butler, to collect.

The mansion erupted in excited murmurs:

Thank you, Father!

I really needed this money! Youre the best, Dad!

Watching everyone swarm toward Alfred, Valerie scoffed from the sidelines:

A bunch of greedy fools. Do they honestly think they can compete with me for the inheritance?

After Valerie stole my adoption chance, shed been living in luxury with a wealthy family.

Two hundred grand was pocket change to her.

But for me, who was used to eating stale bread every day, $200,000 could buy my freedom.

Seeing me hesitate, tempted to join the money line, Mom quickly warned:

Scarlett, this is just the first test.

Anyone who takes the $200,000 is short-sighted and gets disqualified immediately.

Those who walk away from the money show theyve got the ambition to compete in the real challenges.

I froze mid-step and sneaked a glance at Mr. Thorne.

Sure enough, he was watching the line of daughters with a critical eye, shaking his head in disappointment.

Just then, Alfred announced:

Those claiming the $200,000 must sign this inheritance waiver.

Without hesitation, I stepped out of the line.

But the waiver didnt stop most of them.

Watching most of the daughters fixated on the quick $200,000 payout, eagerly signing the agreement, Mr. Thorne sighed, disappointment written across his face, and turned his gaze to the remaining few.

When Mr. Thorne and I accidentally locked eyes, Moms voice echoed:

See? I wouldnt lie to you.

Just trust me and do as I say. I never got a cent from that deadbeat when I was alive, so you have to make me proud and fight for this.

The next moment, Mr. Thorne announced in a stern voice:

Twenty of you have chosen to forgo the $200,000. Please follow the guards upstairs.

Spotting me among them, Valerie looked stunned:

Scarlett, youre an illegitimate daughter too? So were half-sisters?

I ignored her.

Because right then, Mr. Thorne was announcing the first round challenge:

To be my heir, financial management and earning potential are essential.

Ill give each of you 0-000,000 in seed money. In one hour, the ten of you with the most remaining funds will move forward in the succession process.

As soon as Mr. Thorne finished speaking, the other nineteen daughters pulled out their phones and jumped into action.

My moms an entrepreneurIve been learning the ropes from her since I was a kid. Ive got this!

I have a PhD in finance. I know exactly how to grow this money!

They all started showing off their credentials.

Some immediately opened stock trading apps.

Others navigated to investment fund platforms.

Some used the 0-000,000 as seed money to draft business proposals on the spot.

Others capitalized on the moment by going live on TikTok:

Im at the billionaires mansion, live from the heir selection! Follow for exclusive updates on this crazy family inheritance showdown!

But as I stared at the bank card the guard handed me, I felt completely helpless.

I never even finished high schoolthe orphanage kicked me out to sell things on the streets to survive.

These women were all educated, polished professionals. How could I possibly compete?

Valerie noticed my panic and laughed mockingly:

Everyone else is hard at work, and you dont even have a phone. You think you can compete for the inheritance?

Valerie didnt just look down on me.

She looked down on all the other illegitimate daughters too:

I graduated top of my class from business school. When it comes to making money, none of you stand a chance.

She then split her focus: buying stocks and drafting an investment proposal to present to Mr. Thorne in an hour.

Mom encouraged me:

Scarlett, remember what they say: Dont fear the trust fund kids who spend moneyfear the ones who think they can actually run a business.

Let them play their games. This round, you win by doing absolutely nothing.

Even if you have to fake it, act like youve got everything under control!

She added:

Youve been in the real world since you were a kid, facing all its hardships. When it comes to reading people, none of them can touch you.

Now start watching your billionaire dad closely. You never know when that might come in handy.

Her words gave me new confidence.

After a moments thought, I stepped back to a corner and began studying Mr. Thorne, trying to get a read on his personality and temperament.

While the other daughters pulled out all the stops, my focus stayed solely on Mr. Thorne.

My unusual calmness caught Mr. Thornes attention.

He had Alfred come over to me:

Why arent you doing anything?

Following Moms advice, I answered without hesitation:

Protecting an empire is far harder than building one.

With todays economic uncertainty, Id rather play it safe to protect the wealth youve worked so hard to build, Father.

No sooner had I spoken than someone screamed:

My stocks just crashed! This cant be happening!

Another woman kicked over a chair:

Scammers! This investment firm is a total fraudmy money got converted to crypto and stolen!

Who shut down my TikTok stream? I just paid for promotion!

In the middle of the chaos, I met Mr. Thornes gaze calmly.

A faint glimmer appeared in his eyes, but he said nothing.

An hour passed quickly.

My strategy of doing nothing actually landed me in fifth place, advancing me to the next round.

Mom! Thank you! Im one step closer to that multi-billion-dollar fortune!

Valerie, meanwhile, had earned $50,000 through her own efforts.

Her written proposal also earned high praise from Mr. Thorne.

Watching her advance in first place, the other daughters were green with envy.

As we followed Alfred upstairs again, Valerie deliberately bumped into me:

Scarlett, you just got lucky. Its not too late to quit and leave.

Otherwise, once I become heir, Ill make sure you regret it.

I gave her a cold stare, making a silent vow.

Once I inherit those billions, shell pay for what she did to me as a kid!

When we reached the luxurious dining room, Alfred surprisingly pulled out a chair for me:

Scarlett, please have a seat here.

I didnt think much of it at first.

But as I started toward the chair, I noticed Valerie smirking at me, like she was waiting for me to embarrass myself.

Mom immediately warned me:

Scarlett, thats your fathers seat at the head of the table! You cant sit there!

Theyre not actually going to eatthis is a test of dining etiquette.

My heart skipped a beat. I waved my hands at Alfred.

Thats my fathers seat at the head of the table. When will he be joining us?

Alfred gave me an approving smile.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Valerie grind her teeth in frustration.

I didnt dare gloat, focusing intently on Moms instructions.

With Moms help, I aced this round.

When pouring wine for Mr. Thorne, my experience as a waitress let me serve without spilling a drop.

During the meal, my utensils made no scraping sounds against the plate.

After the meal, as Alfred led us downstairs, I noticed five fewer competitors.

They'd been forced to sign inheritance waivers and left dejectedly with $200,000.

Valerie jabbed my back, sneering:

"Scarlett, don't get too cocky. You'll be out soon enough!"

I wasn't timid anymore. I shot back coldly:

"Valerie, you'd better watch yourself. If I win, first thing I'll do is lock you in that dusty, rat-infested storage room."

"Scarlett, you're asking for it!" Valerie's face turned red, and she raised her hand to slap me.

Mr. Thorne suddenly stopped, his gaze sweeping across our faces:

"Before we continue, I have a serious question for all of you."

I immediately knew this was the next challenge.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Mr. Thorne's question:

"If my business faced a crisis that could only be fixed by marrying an infertile man in a permanent vegetative state, would you do it?"

"Think carefully. This isn't hypotheticalit's a real possibility."

As soon as he finished, Valerie stepped forward first:

"Of course I would! Any sacrifice for you, Father, is my duty!"

"Of course! With my skills, I can not only save the company through marriage but use my husband's family connections to take us to new heights!"

Seeing her, others rushed to declare their loyalty:

"As your daughter, Father, marriage is my duty and mission!"

"A vegetative infertile man might be betterI could do IVF and the child would take my last name!"

Suddenly, several daughters gathered around Mr. Thorne, creating a falsely warm scene.

Mom, worried I might freeze up, reminded me:

"Scarlett, don't fall for his scare tactics. He's testing your loyaltyjust say you're willing."

But seeing Mr. Thorne's emotionless face and scrutinizing eyes, I hesitated.

Mr. Thorne's reaction was too strange.

I stood frozen, trying to figure out the real meaning behind the question.

Mom grew impatient:

"Scarlett, what are you waiting for? Say you're willing now!"

"I dated your father for six monthsI know him! He falls for flattery. Hurry up!"

Mom was wrong.

Mr. Thorne wouldn't be that easily fooled.

I remembered our previous eye contacts and his subtle expressions, my mind racing.

As I stayed silent, all eyes turned to me.

Mr. Thorne frowned, giving me a meaningful look:

"Scarlett, is this question so hard to answer? Look at your sistersthey didn't hesitate."

Valerie wore a smug, triumphant grin:

"The country bumpkin's never seen real lifeshe probably didn't even understand the question."

Other daughters whispered, waiting for me to embarrass myself:

"She showed off at dinner, but now her true colors are showing!"

Mom panicked:

"Scarlett, are you trying to drive me crazy? Say it now! Only by agreeing do you stand a chance at that fortune!"

I took a deep breath and answered clearly:

"I'm not willing."

Mr. Thorne's expression instantly changed.