The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 821

Jeanette had no idea what was in store for her-not until several days later, when she and Leif finally arrived back in Africa.

Now, standing in front of two crumbling red-brick houses, she was completely stunned.

This had to be a joke. Wasn't Leif supposed to be African royalty?

A creeping sense of dread settled in her chest as she stared at the dilapidated buildings. Slowly, she turned to look at Leif, searching his face for answers.

He was staring right back at her, but there was none of the tenderness or affection she thought she'd seen before. His expression was cold, calculating, almost cruel. Still, Jeanette clung stubbornly to her fantasy-she refused to believe her dream of marrying into royalty could shatter so easily. She stared desperately at Leif. "What's going on? Can you explain this? Didn't you say you were royalty?"

Leif's grin stretched wide, flashing his blindingly white teeth. He finally dropped the act.

"Royalty? Oh, come on. You actually believed that?"

His laughter shook his entire chest, deep and mocking.

Jeanette's eyes widened as she remembered the news stories she'd seen back home-her heart skipped a beat and fear swept over her. Her lips trembled, but she couldn't form a single word.

Just then, three women stepped out of the red-brick house, each cradling a child in her arms.

When they saw Leif, their eyes lit up. All three hurried toward him, their faces full of joy, like wives welcoming home a long-absent husband.

them, speaking in rapid, affectionate tones in his native language. Jeanette couldn't understand a word, but it was clear they were

a sweet, touching scene, but Jeanette only felt a chill run down her

silently begged for this tender moment to last, but her hope was in vain. It ended

appraising looks. It felt as if they were sizing up livestock, not

recoiled, stumbling backward in

"Well, looks like we finally have someone

agreement, grinning

another

way. She was not spending the

expression darkened. He caught up to her in a few long strides, grabbed her hair, and dragged her back.

rang; blood trickled from the corner of her

Leif's true nature-cruel, merciless. Regret crashed over her. She should never have broken up

by the collar, his words slow and venomous. "Trying to run? Where do you think you're going? Your passport's already in pieces. You're not

off. "Who else would have you now?

to the

and her eyes hardened. "Pregnant?

it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "You really didn't know, did

gave you? All fakes. Honestly, I didn't think you'd be so

you. You international students

are just so gullible. I

being royalty, and