Fake heiress Real heroine

Chapter 25

That afternoon, most kids were chilling in the shade, playing games and staying out of the sun. But Quinlyn was out there, practicing her basketball shots all by herself despite the heat.

At first, she struggled with the big ball–her short arms made it hard to control, and the ball kept going wild.

Some students laughed at her clumsy attempts as they passed by, pointing and teasing.

Harriet watched Quinlyn darting around by herself, a flicker of smugness stirring inside her. “She looks so pitiful,” Harriet remarked, her tone dripping with insincerity. If she wants to join our game, we could let her.”

For once, Harriet toyed with the idea of being a little kinder to Quinlyn, considering that the money on Quinlyn’s card would soon be hers.

Quinlyn wasn’t backing down from basketball. If she missed a shot, she’d just keep trying. If she didn’t get it right away, she’d break down Harry’s advice, figure it out, and adjust her game.

Meanwhile, a group of kids lounging in the shade, eyes glued to their cards, glanced up just in time to see a basketball sail through the hoop from way beyond the three–point line.

“Did that really go in!” they muttered, thinking they were seeing things. But then they saw Quinlyn pick up another ball, step back to the three–point line, and swish it again–another perfect shot

Harry went from barely paying attention to standing right next to her, grabbing balls and watching her like she was a hidden

gem.

He nodded. “Not bad at all. You’ve definitely got potential. I saw you running earlier; you looked like you were made for this. How about I time your sprint later?”

Quinlyn shook her head. “I just want to grow taller,” she said, her mind on something bigger.

Harry rubbed his nose, feeling a bit awkward. He was just making it up when he said basketball could help her grow taller, but he didn’t admit it

Pretty soon, more kids gathered around the court, cheering every time Quinlyn made a basket. They found it more exciting than opening card packs.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” one kid shouted. “Her three–pointers are on point, and her layups are perfect.”

was amazing,” another added. “No wonder she’s not into cards. She’s cooler than any rare card out there.”

skills more openly than adults. In a flash, the trading cards under the shade were forgotten as everyone rushed to cheer

once again, Quinlyn grabbed all the attention. She was so frustrated that she tore up

to overdo it and risk heatstroke. With ten minutes left in class, he

splash water on her face, then jogged over to the

out of the school building–Eugene,

looked after checking Eugene’s phone, she quickly put down her cup and followed them quietly.

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Chapter 25

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woods were thick with leaves. Quinlyn had

eye, and a wave of discomfort washed over her. She frowned,

had never been to school, but she understood that as girls grew

I’ll let you go back. Otherwise, we’ll have to play here for a bit,” Eugene said. His voice, usually

knees, his voice echoing softly. “Who took my

was missing and suspected the girls had taken it.

calm echoed in her mind. Though Eugene didn’t seem scary, she decided to

on, the girls started to cry softly. Instead of making Eugene feel sorry for them, their tears only

around with a

get it at first until she saw one of the girls tugging at her

was a beautiful older girl who had visited Quinlyn a few times, encouraging her to go to school and even

much they can do. That’s why I’m here to share that with you. Quinlyn, things here won’t always be this way. You gotta believe that knowledge

the town, but Fiona fell apart first. Rumors circulated that she’d been through something terrible in the

leaving Fiona’s house, each wearing a smug, satisfied smile, as if they’d just won something. It made Quinlyn feel sick.

gentle, lay among torn clothes, silent and withdrawn.

into the river. When she died, she was pregnant. They said she didn’t want to bring the baby into the world, so she chose to end it

hope of changing the fate of the people. But ultimately, her story concluded