Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

033

With that, Harriet stomped off, her ponytail beaming behind her. A few boys tried to drag Quindyn away, waving their superhero toys in her face. But she just stored her ground.

“Wait,” she said, her mind racing. “Where’s the teacher’s office

Launch had emptied the halls, leaving only a few stragglers shuffling toward the stairs

The teacher’s other was halfway down the hallway Quinlyn saw the nameplate and noticed the eene silence

seemed like no one was there,

The closed curtains only added to her confusion, but she was sure Mandy had come this way.

She didn’t want to knock, so she quietly dragged a chair from the next classroom, stood on it, and squinted through a crack in the curtain

The room was dim, but she could just make out shapes shifting in the shadows. Eugene was the first to catch her eye–tall and already stripped of his suit jacket. His white shirt was dusted with chalk, and he was working on unbuttoning it

She figured he was just changing out of his dirty clothes, but then she noticed Mandy standing by the desk, and something

felt off.

It reminded her of back home, where the old bachelors would sometimes strip down in front of girls without thinking twice. The older women would catch them and call them “creeps”

And it wasn’t just Mandy in the room. There were a few other girls with ponytails, all standing there quietly with their heads down.

and jogged over to the door. She gave it a quick double–knock, and the sound rang out in

a little caught off guard, but he quickly grinned. “Hey, Quinlyn. What’s up?” he asked, his tone

was off and only one side was tucked in. She

shifted to the side, blocking

for extra help. She’s been having a tough time with her schoolwork” he explained, his voice softening. “So she can’t leave with you today. If you’re

her nose. “Mr. Lambert,” she said, her voice

looked down at her, one eyebrow raised. “Why?”

nose again. She was always extra

looked strained, but he didn’t want to make a fuss. He waved dismissively. “Alright, I’ll wash my hands. You go get something to eat,” he said, walking

her age would never step into a teacher’s office, and anyone inside would definitely wait for his permission to

until Eugene ducked into the restroom, then she slipped into the office and hurried over to Mandy. “Are you getting extra help, or are

Chapter 23

shook her head, her eyes wide

her hands shaking and pressed on.

the silence from Mandy and the other girls

She didn’t want Mandy to be here when Eugene returned, so she took Mandy’s hand

gasped, surprised by how strong Quinlyn was. In just a few seconds,

was following her. “If you don’t leave now,

a tattletale,” she said, her voice

exchanged nervous glances. At their age, fitting in was everything, and the thought of being

found the office empty. “They’re getting bold,” he muttered, running a hand through his

his gaze falling on the ruler and marbles still on

Eugene, he smiled and said. “Mr. Lambert,

the stuff on the table to a lower shelf and walked over, smiling These

pills, and turned to Eugene. Teachers like you are rare,” he said, impressed “I’m having lunch with the principal. You should join us–it could be a great chance to make a good impression

the teacher was already pulling