Under the heiress facade

.

Chapter 3

As the car engine hummed to life, James turned to Hera. “Before we get to Norburgh, there’s something important I need to tell you. We’ll announce to everyone that the Everetts have officially adopted you.”

Hera looked up at James. They hadn’t discussed this before in their earlier phone call. Though being agreeable moments ago, she now seemed distant and reserved.

James felt uncomfortable under her gaze. It dawned on him then that Hera would always feel somewhat disconnected from the Everetts since they hadn’t raised her since childhood.

Pushing down his uneasiness, he patiently explained, “The Everetts have been relying on help from the Gaskell family to make our business successful.

“Now, Zyler Gaskell, the heir to the Gaskell family, is engaged to Giselle. Their marriage is important for both families’ interests and reputations. So, we need to make arrangements regarding you.”

Hera understood the situation quickly. The Everetts were worried that if the Gaskells found out about her humble upbringing, it might ruin the engagement.

“Oh,” Hera replied, sounding indifferent.

She casually pulled out her phone from her bag and got lost in a game, seemingly completely unbothered by the conversation.

James felt a sense of relief. He assumed that people from rural backgrounds would be easy to handle.

If Lilith hadn’t persistently asked and if James hadn’t been concerned about Hera’s true background possibly harming their family’s reputation, he wouldn’t have personally brought Hera back to the Everett residence.

Hera reclined in the car seat, completely absorbed in her phone. Her thumbs moved skillfully across the screen.

Frowning, James couldn’t resist sneaking a look at her screen. His disappointment grew when he realized she was just playing a basic matching game. Any remaining positive feelings he had for Hera quickly vanished.

came off as impolite and lacking ambition. He was worried she might embarrass the Everetts

unaware that Hera was actually deeply immersed in Flip-and-Match. The game involved 99 pairs of identical icons being shuffled and briefly shown for a minute

round,

So, she

boarded the plane and landed at Norburgh Airport two hours later. Aside from meal breaks, Hera spent nearly the entire

new personal record—taking only three seconds to memorize

phone buzzed with

really not accepting any job offers? Someone is offering three times the usual pay! Aren’t you interested? It’s triple

clicked her tongue

Raven: “Nope.”

for a deal worth millions? What’s going on with

taking

“When do you think you’ll be

depends on

Piglet: “You’re so childish!”

Hera as just a typical teenager glued to the internet while Giselle, on the other hand, was focused on her workbook even during the flight. James saw them as

as the Everetts’ biological daughter from the

…

Catherine was drying herbs in her yard when she spotted two men

at the forefront. He stood tall and robust. His remarkably handsome face seemed to have

hinted at a recent injury. Thankfully, it had been tended

was Aaron Ludden, who appeared

the herbs, Catherine asked, “Do you need

someone,” Bernard replied, pulling a bloodied cloth