The Undercover Billionaire

By Joanna Jackson

Daniel Carter is a rich, spoiled junior director of Carter Industries and the sole heir of Michael Carter, CEO of Carter Industries, a Fortune 500 Company based in the heart of London. When Carter Industries makes a deal to acquire an American company based in New York, Daniel is assigned to scout out and evaluate the company internally. However, the young billionaire naively decides to hide his identity to mingle with the employees undetected.

But what happens when he finds himself falling for the junior manager and his new boss, Alice Miller? Will he confess his identity or will the truth come out unexpectedly? Most importantly, will Daniel Carter survive his new life?

The Undercover Billionaire is a journey full of unexpected twists, lies, love, drama, conflict, self-discovery, and a whole lot of secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanna Jackson
• Release date: Jul 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201404895

Joanna Jackson

Joanna Jackson is a published author based in South East Asia, specializing in contemporary romance. Starting out in a reading platform application, Joanna ignited a passion for writing, and that fire burned throughout her journey of writing her first-ever creation, My Hometown Love. Despite coming from a background of business and finance, she now crafts wholesome, sweet yet drama-filled contemporary romances, mostly featuring strong, independent women. Joanna believes intensely in working hard and doing her best, along with treating people the way she wants to be treated. Besides surrounding herself in her continually growing large pile of unread books, Joanna loves reading, traveling, spending time with her family, and binge-watching her favorite shows. With high hopes and endless dreams, Joanna aims to keep on inspiring talented writers to follow their passion by channeling her creative and endless imaginations into many more books to come.

Book preview

Joanna Jackson

The Undercover Billionaire

First published by Joanna Jackson 2021

Copyright © 2021 by Joanna Jackson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Joanna Jackson asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Joanna Jackson has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

First edition

Editing by Michaela Delaney

Cover art by Getcovers

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

Publisher Logo

To my loving parents who have never failed to provide me with everything I need, forever & always. My love for you both is abundant and forevermore.

Acknowledgement

Writing a book was never something I thought I could do, but always dreamed of. None of this would have been possible without my loyal readers. I would not be here if not for their constant support and love.

A very special thanks to my critique partner, fellow author, and friend, T.R. Durant, who constantly stuck by me as I wrote this book and was always there when I needed it. Thank you for not giving up on me, brainstorming the craziest ideas with me, and helping me emergency proofread my material at uncanny times.

To my parents. For always giving me my space when I was busy writing this novel and for supporting me when I declared I wanted to be an author. Thank you for encouraging me to chase my passion.

To my amazing close friends. For lending your shoulders when times turned tough without complaining, checking up on me frequently, supporting my journey, and always being so excited about my milestones. Thank you sincerely.

To my editor, Michaela Delaney. For doing a great job editing my book despite having a full plate. Thank you for being the pair of brilliant fresh eyes I needed in making this book a success.

Finally, to all those who have been a part of my journey, fellow authors, family members, and friends, thank you for your best wishes and support.

The Spoiled Billionaire

Chapter Separator

I stirred from my slumber to the sight of sunlight blinding me from a distance, and instantly I knew what had happened. I hesitantly lifted one eyelid open to see the bright sun rays peeking through a small sliver of open space behind my dark blue curtains.

Ugh! Not again! I told Isabelle to always keep my curtains fully shut! I muttered under my breath before I threw my covers open with a disappointed grunt.

I despised being awakened by the sun, especially after I had a long, late night. We hosted a dinner party the night before for some high-profile business clients, and once Mr. Davis started talking about his recent trip to Russia, dinner went on later than usual. Plus, I may have had a little too much to drink to endure Mr. Davis’s long and tortuous experience.

I reluctantly dragged myself off my bed and slipped my cold feet into my silk velvet slippers before heading towards the window. I pushed the curtains open and shielded my eyes with my arm from the piercing sunlight. As my eyes slowly adjusted to the light, my gaze fell upon the familiar sight outside my window.

Carter Grounds.

The miles and miles of green, luscious forest separated me from my view of the outside world. It had been that way for as long as I could remember. We lived in a magnificent mansion located deep in the forest, isolated from the hustle and bustle of the usual London life, much to my displeasure. But no one dared to disagree with Michael Carter.

I pulled myself away from the window and headed to the couch in the next room. I flipped the remote to the news channel and put my feet up on the coffee table, busying myself with scrolling through my phone.

Isabelle, bring me my coffee. I pressed the buzzer on the intercom that was lying on the side table.

Right away, Mr. Carter, she said hurriedly before the line went dead.

A few minutes later, Isabelle delicately laid down a silver tray with my coffee on the table in front of me, careful to not drop or spill it.

Is there anything else, Mr. Carter? Isabelle politely retreated away from the couch with fear in her eyes.

Yes. I’ve told you repetitively to make sure my curtains are completely closed so that no light sneaks in. I woke up blinded by the sunlight today. Is this going to be a problem again?! I demanded angrily, glaring at her.

The timid lady looked down in submission, I am so sorry. I thought I did it right. Maybe the wind pu—

I don’t want to hear your excuses! Make sure it doesn’t happen again or else I will have to take severe action against you. Do you understand? I warned her with an aura of command.

Yes. Mr. Carter. I apologize. It will not happen again, she replied humbly, lowering her gaze and slowly backing away towards the door, desperately trying to run for her life.

I shook my head dismissively before turning my attention back to the television in front of me. An hour went past, and I finally took my sweet time to get ready for the office. I strolled into my majestic bathroom as it filled with soft music. After a long, hot shower, I made my way to my walk-in closet, running my fingers through the wide array of various expensive branded clothes and shoes.

I picked out a crisp white, long-sleeved Egyptian cotton shirt to pair with my dark blue cashmere suit. I selected a pair of dress shoes out of the countless shiny shoes displayed before me and stood in front of my full-sized mirror as I put on my cufflinks. Glancing at my expensive reflection looking back at me, I wondered if there was a soul inside of me anymore.

Who cares anyway? I have everything I could ever want and everything I desire is available to me at the snap of a finger.

My name is Daniel Carter, and I’m the sole heir to Michael Carter. He is the same Michael Carter renowned to be the prestigious founder and CEO of Carter Industries, a famous Fortune 500 company based in the heart of London. I, on the other hand, was just his 27-year-old billionaire son, who was still living with him against my wishes and working for his company as a junior director.

Fear not! One day, I’ll be on the top too, and no one will restrict me from doing anything I want then.

I ran gel through my wavy brown hair as I reminisced about the touch of my mother’s hand running through my hair when I was a little boy. It had been two decades since I lost my dear mother, but the feeling of her hand holding mine was still fresh in my mind and heart.

I tugged at my suit confidently and brushed back a loose strand of my chestnut hair before heading out of my suite towards the long, winding staircase.

The sound of my shoes clicking against the marble staircase sent shivers down the spine of the servants. I smirked to myself as I watched them scrambling away from my sight in panic and fear.

I dismissed their behavior like I do every single morning, heading towards the dining hall. Max pulled out a chair for me and I took my seat at the huge sandalwood table in anticipation of my breakfast.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the news while another servant placed my breakfast in front of me. Without taking my eyes off my screen, I took a big bite of my scrambled eggs, only to immediately spit it out in disgust.

Ew! What on earth?!

What is this nonsense?! Why are there ham pieces in my eggs?! I slammed my fork down against the glass plate, sending its echo ringing through the empty dining hall.

I’m sorry, Master Daniel. It’s the new chef. He didn’t know. I will deal with him accordingly. I’ll bring a fresh plate right out, Max said, repetitively bowing his head down apologetically.

I waved my hand dismissively at him, and I watched Max disappear into the kitchen hurriedly. I turned my attention back towards my phone to see Carter Industries mentioned in the news yet again.

New Possible Acquisition for Carter Industries?

My eyes drifted to my father’s empty chair across the long table. He was always more of a businessman than a father. We lived in the same house, and yet we spoke no more than 10 words to each other in a week. He never bothered asking about me and my well-being, nor did he call or text me.

To him, all the servants were taking good care of me, so he didn’t have to bother himself with me when he could focus his attention on the company instead.

I’ve gotten used to it by now.

I had just taken the first bite of my fresh scrambled eggs when my phone vibrated in my hand. I nearly spat out my food again, but this time because of the surprising picture that had appeared on my phone screen.

It was none other than Michael Carter. My dad was calling me personally, something he had never done for as long as I could remember since he always ordered someone else to relay his message.

But not this time. Why?

The Acquisition

Chapter Separator

I nervously swallowed my food and slid my finger across the screen before I hurriedly raised the phone to my ear. The sound of my father’s husky voice filled my ears while I silently questioned the purpose of his sudden call.

Michael: Daniel, where are you?! Why aren’t you at the office?!

Daniel: Hi, Dad. I’m just about to leave for the office. Why? Is there something wrong?

Michael: Come and see me as soon as you arrive. And boy? Be hasty, I haven’t got all day!

Daniel: Is ther—

Before I could finish my sentence, the call ended abruptly. All I was left with was my father’s domineering words and voice echoing in my head hauntingly.

What was I thinking? Of course, he called to summon me. But oddly, he did it personally this time instead of instructing someone else to do it.

I stared down at my food, unamused and my appetite slowly disappeared until it was replaced with the feeling of anger boiling within me. I pushed away the innocent plate in front of me in disgust and got up from my chair in a huff.

Tell the driver to bring the car around! Now! I yelled out as I walked out of the dining hall and towards the front door.

Once again, I watched the servants hide away frightfully, desperately trying to avoid my wrath. My angry frenzies were legendary and feared, even though it wasn’t very often that I lost my temper. However, when I did, it was bad. But after that call, I was furious at my father. I hated being summoned by him like I was his puppet, and he was my puppeteer.

Master Daniel, good morning, Lance, my driver, greeted me, nodding his head at me respectfully.

I acknowledged his nod silently before moving to sit down on the shiny leather back seat of my elegant black Rolls-Royce. Deep down, I always assumed that the other servants must have been fuming at the gentle way I treated Lance. I’ve always had a little soft spot for dear old Lance, so I rarely displayed my anger in front of him. He was always more like a friend to me than a driver ever since I met him when I was a teenager. I’ll never forget how Lance would always oblige my requests, whether it be sudden detours or crazy adventures.

Any detours this morning before the office? Lance looked at me through the rear-view mirror.

No, Lance. Not today. My father has summoned me, I replied briefly.

Very well, sir. He raised the black partition, separating us before he slowly guided the car out of Carter Grounds.

The car glided silently, and I watched as the luscious and green forest ended as soon as we passed the giant metal gates that imprisoned me. Soon, we were driving through the busy streets of London as we headed to Carter Industries. The majestic, towering building shimmered in the sunlight from a distance as we approached it. I looked up at its mighty architecture before my loyal driver pulled up in front of the entrance.

I’ll be here when you’re done, Master Daniel. Have a great day! Lance lowered the partition to flash me a warm smile.

Thank you, Lance, I replied before someone opened my door from the outside.

Master Daniel, good morning. Your father is waiting for you in his office, the doorman announced, holding the car door open for me.

I nodded at him respectfully before rolling my eyes to myself as I made my way to the elevator. As if it wasn’t already enough that he summoned me, he made sure everyone reminded me too. I swallowed my frustration before exiting the elevator on the 70th floor.

Good morning, Daniel! my father’s personal assistant shouted out peppily the minute I appeared before her.

Good morning, Moira. You’re looking exceptionally stunning today, I mentioned with a little wink, leaning my arm on her desk.

Moira playfully slapped my arm, Oh, stop it, you.

So, any idea why I’m being called in today? I peered towards my father’s office.

Unfortunately, no. But I know Mr. Carter instructed me to let you in as soon as you arrive, Moira answered.

Oh. Is there any way we can go out and grab a cup of coffee first before I go in, love? I invited her enticingly, eager to delay my meeting with my father as long as I could.

Nice try. But I’m afraid I can’t do that. Raincheck?

Fine! You’re such a goody-two-shoes, you know?

Moira’s lips curled into a sweet smile before she picked up the phone and informed my father of my arrival in a hushed whisper.

Alright. You can go right in now! she said as she returned the receiver to the base.

Don’t miss me too much! I flirted before I pushed through the big mahogany doors leading to the office of the legendary Michael Carter.

The minute I stepped into his office, my playful nature disappeared and instead a stone-cold, serious Daniel appeared. It was as if I had a complete 180-degree personality change.

My eyes fell on my father seated behind his giant desk. He had the back of his chair turned towards me as he faced the glass windows overlooking London city.

I took a quick glance around the room and realized my uncle, Stuart Bloom, was standing next to my father as they whispered among themselves.

Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Uncle Stuart, I greeted formally, slowly approaching them with a sense of uncertainty.

Ah, good morning, Daniel! my uncle replied with a kind smile.

His smile never fails to remind me of mum, every single time.

My father, on the other hand, responded by merely nodding his head at me before taking a swift glance at my uncle and back at me again.

So, you may have heard that we have acquired an average-sized business consulting company in New York, he explained without delay, eager to get straight to business.

Classic Michael Carter!

Yes. I read about the negotiations in the paper this morning, I mentioned excitedly, hoping that he would commend me for my initiative and effort in keeping up-to-date with everything going on with Carter Industries.

Ugh! These darn media people will get their hands on everything without bothering to know the full story. Anyway, it’s good that you’re reading the paper instead of wasting your time on social media, as per usual, my dad snapped, once again turning a compliment into an insult.

I took a deep breath to control my temper, counting down the seconds until I could walk out of his claustrophobic office.

Anyway, before we process the acquisition and break the news to the public, we want to scout out the company and its employees, to see how they perform. Plus, it’ll make it easier to decide when it comes to the retrenching process, my father explained to me in his professional tone, the only tone I have ever known from him.

Okay? But what does that have to do with me? I asked inquisitively, in bafflement of where all these explanations were leading to.

Daniel, I’m sending you to America to do it, my dad ordered, dropping a bomb with his sudden, surprising words.

Wait, what?!

Mission Briefing

Chapter Separator

Wait, what?! I exclaimed, stepping backward in shock.

You heard me. I’m sending you to New York to do some legal snooping around, my father said sternly, tapping his fountain pen on his desk.

But, why me? Why do I have to go? Don’t you have hundreds of employees that you can send? Why should I do all this dirty work?! I yelled with frustration as a tornado ran through my mind.

Boy, don’t you dare raise your voice at me. I know very well what I’m doing. We can’t let some third-party person do this task. It’s extremely important and I need someone I can trust. I can trust you, can’t I?! He gazed straight at me, making me shift uncomfortably.

Michael… Uncle Stuart warned my dad with a guiding tone, flashing him a stern yet soft gaze.

Fine. If you get this job done successfully, I will put in a good word to include you on the board of directors. If, and only if, there are no problems, my dad offered begrudgingly, looking away with a sigh.

No way! Is he serious?

To be honest, getting to be a part of the board was an amazing promotion, and it was the best chance I had to get my dad to take me seriously. But I truly didn’t want to drop everything and hit pause on my life here in London just to go and do some menial, managerial observations or interviews.

It’s going to be so boring!

Well? Are you going to do it or are you going to be a spoiled brat? My dad slammed his fist on the oak table.

RING! RING! RING!

The telephone on his desk rang loudly, cutting through the tension in the room right in the nick of time. My father quickly placed the phone to his ear and started speaking casually, as if nothing had happened. He stopped to look up at us, his glaring eyes still fixated at me with anger and frustration.

I need to take this call. Could you both step outside for a while? Thanks, Stuart, he whispered before he turned his chair around at us.

~.~

Uncle Stuart placed his hand on my shoulder and led me out of the office. However, instead of stopping at Moira’s table, he kept on walking, leading me towards a nearby empty conference room.

What’s going on, Uncle Stuart? I asked curiously, baffled by his actions.

Listen, Champ. Your father is right, there is no one we can assign this to. This issue is too delicate and important. I have to admit, I don’t approve of the way he asked you, but I agree with his choice, he told me with sympathy and care, much like my late mother.

Leaning on the conference table, I just nodded my head, unsure of how I should respond to his statement.

Although, I wish there was a way you could do it without them knowing that you’re from Carter Industries. You might get more information that way. Who knows, your detailed findings might even amaze your dad. Probably pleased enough to let you finally move out of that old mansion. But I don’t think that is going to be possible. Oh, forget about it, I’m just an old man, mumbling nonsense. I’m going to go check if your dad’s done. My dear old uncle sighed before patting my shoulder on his way out the door.

My mind raced as I pondered his words. His idea aligned well with the idea of me finally being able to move to my very own place and have my own life. It was extremely enticing, but it sounded too good to be true.

It is a good idea, but is it possible? Even if it was, how will I ever be able to pull this off?

A soft knock broke me out of my daze as Moira popped her head into the room with a sweet smile, Daniel? Your dad’s asking for you.

Thanks, darling, I responded with a flirty wink before I tailed her to the office.

~.~

Nice of you to finally make an entrance, your highness, my dad mocked me as soon as I stepped into his office.

Sorry, I apologized politely, approaching his desk to take a seat with my head tilted down submissively.

Well, since you don’t seem to be too keen about this project or helping this company in any way, I’m going to hand over this project to Dave, he abruptly declared, scribbling something on his memo pad.

This is it, Daniel. It’s now or never!

Wait! I yelled out in protest before I could even figure out all the details.

Oh? You’ve changed your mind? Uncle Stuart inquired eagerly, curious to know if I had agreed to his plan.

I want to do it but not as someone from Carter Industries, I proposed, racking my brain for a proper strategy.

Then? How else are you going to get the information? My dad eyed me skeptically.

I thought I could go undercover, maybe? Thanks to you, no one really knows how I look except a handful of people that we could warn beforehand. This way, the employees may share more information with me compared to if I come as the son of the CEO. I mean, how hard could it be, right? Just hide my identity, mingle for a few days, and collect as much information as I can. Before you know it, I’ll be flying back home in the jet, I described proudly, completely confident in my fool-proof plan.

Hurm… Interesting. But I don’t think it’s going to work, my dad uttered coldly.

Oh, come on Dad! You never let me do anything! For once, I want to do something and you’re not letting me! I’m telling you, it’s going to work. I can do it!

I can’t believe I’m begging my father to let me work. This is so not me!

Okay, fine. But know that you’re doing this against my choice. Don’t come crawling back to me when you’re in trouble. And don’t mess up!

Okay then, it’s a deal. But I want to do this correctly and authentically. So, you can’t come and meddle at all.

"All right. But you will have to sign a deal. For