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.”

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

than adults. In a flash, the trading cards under the shade were forgotten as everyone rushed to cheer for Quinlyn.

again, Quinlyn grabbed all the attention. She

didn’t want her to overdo it and risk heatstroke. With ten minutes left in class,

was drenched and parched. She ran to the outdoor sink to splash water on her face, then

walking out of

how furious Joseph had looked after checking Eugene’s phone,

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Chapter 25

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the group to a small wooded area behind the school. It was summer, and the woods were thick

sight of Eugene using a ruler to adjust the girls‘ skirts caught her eye, and a wave of discomfort

as girls grew up, their bodies

we’ll have to play here for a bit,” Eugene said. His voice, usually soft,

over the girls knees,

had noticed his phone was missing and suspected the girls had taken it. She felt a pang of regret

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

Instead of making Eugene feel sorry for them, their tears only seemed to make him

muttered, pacing around with a big grin like he

until she saw one of the girls tugging at her

year a new teacher named Fiona came to her town. She was a beautiful older girl who had visited Quinlyn a few times, encouraging her to go to school and even making pretty flower crowns

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

first. Rumors circulated

house, each wearing a smug,

gentle, lay among torn

the river. When she died, she was pregnant. They said she didn’t want to bring the

of changing the fate