The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

"Completely wiped out."

James gently nudged Mirabella's head onto his chest, guiding her straight to the bedroom. Wyatt hesitated in the living room, unsure whether to leave or stay. He decided to wait around.

When James finally emerged from the bedroom, Wyatt seized the moment. "James, got a delivery from the Count's place."

James casually rolled up his sleeves and glanced over. "Oh, really?"

"It's an invite to a birthday shindig. Looks like Murray's rounded up all the bigwigs and bluebloods from Merrywoods." Wyatt had wasted no time digging into it once the invite hit his hands.

Given the recent end of the trade fair and the specific interest shown in Ms. Mirabella, Wyatt couldn't help but be a tad suspicious. The Shepherd family, after all, hadn't exactly been chummy with the Count's estate, let alone RSVP to a high- society bash.

Pondering it over, Wyatt added, "I reckon Murray's keen to butter you up for that order batch."

James plopped down on the sofa, leaned back with a casual air, and said, "Nah, pass."

"Gotcha." Wyatt, expecting as much, moved on. "Oh, and Curtis has managed to sneak into the first base."

A flicker of interest crossed James's face.

place is on lockdown tighter than a drum. We've lost touch with Curtis since he got in." Wyatt sighed, a hint of exasperation creeping into his voice. "He's ranked seventh among hackers, yet not

she'd probably have

Curtis, but sometimes, you had to call it like it

Curtis to stay sharp. The first base is no

nodding. "I'll swing by the hospital to

"Alright."

at night The room was wrapped in a cozy darkness,

rubbed her temples, and flicked the light switch on the wall. As soon as the room

"You're up."

and perched on the bed's edge. His eyes lingered on Mirabella's now more slender face, and he couldn't help but sigh softly. Life without her

gaze, Mirabella instinctively touched her face.

remained steady as he gently pulled

resting on his shoulder and her body wrapped in his embrace, Mirabella

kept his silence,

Mirabella: "..."

rumbling sound broke the