Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the shadowy borderlands, a sleek sports car streaked across the dusty terrain, its engine roaring like a beast, with police cars hot on its trail, their sirens piercing the night.

The radio crackled with urgency. “The car’s carrying at least fifty kilos of drugs and a dozen kidnapped kids. Their parents. are wealthy, and these criminals not only demanded ransom but planned to sell the children afterward.”

“Filth!” The pursuing officer slammed his fist onto the steering wheel, flooring the gas pedal in a fury of determination.

But suddenly, a crowd of villagers emerged from the field’s edge, forming a human barrier. No matter how loudly the officer honked, they moved with deliberate slowness, obstinately refusing to budge..

Ellis Watson, the young rookie officer, leapt out of the car, fury burning in his eyes, ready to confront the villagers. But Drake Phillips, the seasoned veteran, restrained him with a firm hand.

“No use,” Drake said, his voice tinged with resignation. “These villagers have taken the criminals‘ bribes–they’re acting as lookouts. You’ll just get into a pointless spat.”

Ellis’s eyes widened in disbelief. “But lives are at risk! How dare they?”

Drake sighed, realizing they’d lost the chase, and began plotting a new route. “Why wouldn’t they dare? Being a lookout pays more than years of farming. The law doesn’t reach these remote places.”

Ellis pounded the steering wheel in frustration. Then he spotted a slender child among the villagers, perhaps only six or seven years old, standing with an eerie calm and composure.

In the end, the criminal’s car slipped away into the night. That evening, each villager pocketed a share of the illicit gains, with Quinlyn receiving the largest portion.

Quinlyn Yates was ten, but malnutrition made her look much younger. As an orphan, she wouldn’t have survived in the harsh borderlands without her wits and watchful eye. It was her quick thinking that had thwarted the police this time.

As Quinlyn ate dinner with the villagers, Floyd Crawford, their leader, approached with a sly grin. “Quinlyn, those big shots want to meet you. They’re inviting you for drinks. Can you take me along?”

Everyone wanted to ingratiate themselves with the criminals, but they had eyes only for Quinlyn.

in one gulp, picked up the money at her feet, and walked away without

her money pouch but dared not take it,

edge of the remote town, a group of

refilling their glasses, a henchman asked the boss, “Do you have a plan to bring Quinlyn with us? I heard several groups failed to take her.”

see. Once we have her tied up

he finished speaking, Quinlyn stepped inside alone. The burly men welcomed her warmly, treating her as an equal and offering

aside. “You still have hostages. Drinking can lead to trouble. I’ll

Chapter 1

if they want to cross the borderlands safely, they have to find you. You’re

caught later, but don’t worry. With us,

leader boasted, Quinlyn slipped out the

group of dirty kids huddled together. When they saw her, their faces turned to shock and fear, and some started

walked over, cut the tape binding him with a knife, and calmly said, “Run along the mountain path

her in

quickly untied everyone, shushed them, and ordered them to

kids, safely evacuated them. Once at the back of the house, he couldn’t help but look back at Quinlyn, asking, “Aren’t you coming with

vehicle’s door. This time, she finally responded, “You go ahead. I’ll catch up.” With that, she slipped into

dire. He didn’t dare delay any longer and led his companions down the

*****

carried a jug of liquor back inside and placed it on the table.

spirits, popped the seal and savored the liquor’s intense

so thoughtful, Quinlyn. Don’t worry, when we get back, I’ll bring you treats and fun things–you’ll never

into

them large glasses and stepped outside to sit

town where violence was a daily occurrence since she could remember. Sometimes, she felt like even the moon was tainted by