Under the heiress facade

Chapter 2

Hera felt completely stunned.

All of a sudden, the sound of an approaching aircraft grew louder. Bernard’s backup had arrived.

Hera looked up and saw a helicopter hovering above. The helicopter’s door slid open, and a ladder lowered down. A man dressed in camouflage, similar to Bernard’s attire, descended from above.

Hera swiftly dashed away.

Bernard pushed himself up, his eyes following her disappearing figure. With a pleased grin, he mumbled, “So, you were hiding here. I’ll be back for you.”

…

At the foot of the mountain, two sleek black BMWs were parked in front of a rundown house. The yard was bustling with curious bystanders.

In the living room, Catherine welcomed the Everetts, who had arrived from the city.

James Everett, Lilith Cresswell, and their daughter, Giselle Everett, who had been mistakenly taken at birth and raised by them, were here.

The three’s impeccable attire clashed sharply with the shabby state of the living room.

Giselle scowled at the worn cup before her, feeling a wave of repulsion. She glanced around the living room, taking in the peeling paint on the walls and the chaotic mess of herbs scattered across the floor.

To make matters worse, there wasn’t even an air conditioner in the house on this scorching summer day. Instead, an old ceiling fan whirred above, its irritating squeak only adding to her discomfort.

The idea that Giselle was part of this rundown family was unbearable to her. She was firmly convinced that she was meant to be an Everett.

Giselle clung to James’ arm, looking upset. “Dad, it’s sweltering in here. Does Hera not want to see me because she thinks I stole her parents?”

“What are you talking about? It wasn’t your fault to be mistakenly taken at birth. Why would she blame you?” James snapped.

back to their home. As for Giselle, they had raised her for 17 years

she taking so long?” Giselle seemed even sadder. She turned to

tone sounded like she was instructing a housekeeper on

stand up, but James intervened, “It’s fine. Let’s give her five more minutes. If she

down. Finding their biological daughter had been an arduous journey, and she wasn’t going to let this visit slip away without a

was about to speak persuasively, a clear voice was heard speaking from outside, “Grandma, I’m

toward the doorway, where a tall, slender young woman stood. Her figure was outlined by

with a certain aloofness which hinted that it wouldn’t be wise to cross

eyes were sharp. She noticed the large

wrong?” Catherine approached

Catherine and reassured

her dress and added, “I

realized Hera’s dress

even having decent clothes to wear. She made a firm decision never

I’ll make another one for you,” Catherine assured. She gestured toward the group and said, “Come meet

suit, had thick hair, and was slightly overweight. Despite being in his late 40s, he looked more

in the sultry and rundown place, only to be greeted by Hera, who

She didn’t bother to offer a greeting. Impatiently, James questioned, “Why did you

mountain,” Hera explained, her eyes cast downward. Her long eyelashes covered her cold gaze, making her look like a regretful

and how sorry she seemed, James couldn’t bring himself to

messy. Come on, let’s get into

turned away, ready to leave

took Hera’s hand, checking for injuries. “Hera, I’m your mother. Let me see if

concerned expression mirrored that of Hera’s adoptive mother,

fine. Thank you,” Hera

came over and attempted to pull Lilith away. “Mom,

alright.” Lilith nodded. She then turned to Hera and said, “Let’s head home.

nodded and said goodbye