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.”

“No wonder she’s not into cards. She’s cooler

a flash, the trading cards under the shade were forgotten as everyone rushed to cheer

shine, but once again, Quinlyn grabbed all the attention. She was so frustrated that she tore up some grass and

want her to overdo it and risk heatstroke. With ten

outdoor sink to splash water on her face, then jogged over to the water fountain for a

figure walking out of the school building–Eugene, with

had looked after checking Eugene’s phone, she quickly put

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Chapter 25

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led the group to a small wooded area behind the school. It was summer, and the woods were thick with leaves. Quinlyn had to get pretty close

her eye, and a wave

school, but she understood that as girls grew up, their bodies

have to play here for a bit,” Eugene said. His voice, usually

slowly over the girls knees, his voice echoing softly. “Who took my phone?”

and suspected the girls had taken it. She felt a pang of regret for her thoughtlessness.

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

softly. Instead of making Eugene feel sorry for them, their tears

muttered, pacing around with a big grin like he was in a trance. Then he snapped, “Now, take

the girls tugging at her dress. Then

the 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

our destiny,” Fiona had said. “I’ve read books and seen how much they can do. That’s why I’m here to share that with you. Quinlyn, things here won’t always

to improve in the town, but Fiona fell apart first.

Quinlyn visited her, she ran into townspeople leaving Fiona’s house, each wearing a smug, satisfied smile, as if they’d just won something. It

and gentle, lay among torn clothes, silent and withdrawn.

after, Fiona ended her life by jumping into the river. When she died, she was pregnant. They said she didn’t want to bring the baby into

of changing the