Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 22

inly couldn’t help but feel that Eugene’s approach was missing the print. If people judged her based on her appearance, it was their issue. She thought that instead of just making her feel better, Eugene should be teaching them to be more accepting

But as she was about to say something, she noticed Mandy beside her, wiping her eyes. Mandy was looking down, crying softly, her tears falling in big drops and her body shaking just a bit.

Following Quinlyn’s gaze, Eugene sighed and gently patted Mandy’s head. “Mandy went through some rough times last semester with this kind of stuff, but she made it through. Right, Mandy?”

Mandy sniffled and slowly nodded. “Yeah”

“Good girl.” Eugene smiled softly and reached out, his fingers lightly touching Mandy’s neck.

Her hair was tied in two neat braids, leaving her neck bare. Eugene’s hand lingered there for a moment, and Quinlyn watched, her brow furrowing in confusion

When they reached the classroom door, the bell hadn’t rung yet. Eugene told Mandy to go inside first, then turned to Quinlyn. “Let’s wait and go in when class starts,” he suggested gently.

“It’ll be a fun surprise for everyone. We can hang out in the office for a bit, and I’ll get you some candy,” he added.

Eugene’s voice was smooth and coaxing, but Quinlyn shook her head. She didn’t take candy from strangers–especially not after hearing stories of poisoned treats in the borderlands. She suspected this teacher had something similar in mind.

“Don’t be scared. Your brother asked me to keep an eye on you, remember?” Eugene said, giving her a reassuring smile.

Quinlyn hesitated, then nodded slowly. But as she began to follow Eugene, a kid at the classroom door shouted, “Quinlyn“”

In an instant, kids streamed out from the classroom, rushing to crowd around her.

Is that Quinlyn? The one who stopped the robber?” one kid asked.

“Yeah, she was like a superhero! Like Spider–Man, another kid replied

“No way, she was more like Batman,” a third kid chimed in.

were all hyped up, their eyes wide with excitement, like they were waiting for

from the mall and glanced up at Eugene. I know

“You’ve got some pretty solid connections,” he said, trying to sound friendly. “In that case, why not spend more time with your

dolled up and ready to turn heads. She was right on time, expecting to be the star of the show. But instead of gawking at her, everyone was crowded around Quinlyn’s desk, laughing and

called out “Quinlyn is so clueless. She’s never even

“Harriet, get

dolls. That’s insane, another

and I’ll bet she’s never collected trading cards,

1/3

Tue, 18 Mar

Chapter 29

to Harriet, waiting for her to

never heard of that stuff. Guess she’s been playing with sticks and mud her whole life. She’s so

make fun of someone from the backwaters,

bite.

but she can save people

isn’t a big deal. Dolls can’t stop

defend Quinlyn, Harriet was left fuming. She slumped in

Mandy’s desk, she knocked her pencil

the back of the classroom, watching Mandy bunch

even stepped on the pens as they

strange and didn’t move to help. She figured Mandy

herself.

day, Quinlyn quickly picked up the basics. She initially struggled with the first chapter, but soon found her rhythm and finished the

noticed some familiar letters in the textbook and realized it was Mordorian–the same language from that “Triendly exchange”

memorizing as many words as she could. By the end of the morning classes, her

was a chubby boy who had a secret stash of snacks in his desk. He’d sneak bites every now and then, always worried Quinlyn would ask him to

to be a bother, so she stayed quiet–even though the smell of those chips

piece of chocolate. She glanced up to see Mandy, with her