Under the heiress facade

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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.

the Everett residence. Hera came off as impolite and lacking ambition. He was worried she might embarrass the

game involved 99 pairs of identical

by tapping on two identical ones. In this round, she memorized all the icons in ten seconds and completed the level in 48 seconds

with her speed. So,

two hours later. Aside from

a new personal record—taking only three seconds to memorize and 27 seconds to clear, with a flawless

then, Hera’s phone buzzed

accepting any job offers? Someone is

her

Raven: “Nope.”

even for a deal worth millions? What’s

“I’m taking a

“When do you think you’ll be back?

depends on how I

Piglet: “You’re so childish!”

thought of Hera as just a typical teenager glued to the internet while Giselle, on the other hand,

biological daughter from the public was the best choice to avoid any

…

the rural village, Catherine was drying herbs in her yard when

tall and robust. His remarkably handsome face seemed to have been sculpted by a great

noticeable bloodstain on his right chest hinted at

Ludden, who

“Do you

Bernard replied, pulling a