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.

with excitement, like they were waiting for her to

the mall and glanced up at Eugene. I know these kids. It won’t be much of a surprise now, will it?” she

smile. “You’ve got some pretty solid connections,” he said, trying to sound friendly. “In that case, why not

to turn heads. She was right on time, expecting to be the star of the show. But instead

one of the kids called out “Quinlyn is so clueless. She’s never even

“Harriet, get

she’s never played with Barbie dolls. That’s insane, another girl chimed

bet she’s never collected trading cards,

1/3

Tue, 18 Mar

Chapter 29

turned to Harriet, waiting for her

of that stuff. Guess she’s been playing

fun of someone from the backwaters, thinking they were unsophisticated. But

bite.

but she can save people just like he

playing with Barbie dolls isn’t a big deal. Dolls can’t stop bullets,” another

left fuming. She slumped in her seat,

break finally came, Harriet got up to go to the bathroom. As she passed Mandy’s desk, she knocked her pencil case to the floor and stomped on it a few times

sat in the back of the classroom, watching Mandy bunch over to gather the pens scattered across

ignored her completely; some even stepped on the pens as

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

herself.

the basics. She initially struggled with the first chapter, but

and realized it

she spent the whole class learning the alphabet and memorizing as many words as she could. By the end of the morning classes, her brain

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

a bother, so she stayed quiet–even though the smell of those chips just made her

chocolate. She glanced up to see Mandy, with