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

Mirabella trailed behind James, her head bowed. She tapped out a quick reply to a message that had buzzed through her phone as soon as she stepped out of the car.

Meanwhile, Asher, who had been eagerly awaiting their arrival downstairs, had just returned from a quick trip to the restroom. His eyebrows arched with excitement upon catching sight of James.

Despite the frosty reception Asher had received from the scion of the Shepherd family during their last encounter, he hadn’t taken it to heart. He understood that someone with James‘ pedigree might exhibit a mercurial temperament.

Asher approached with a brisk pace, offering a respectful nod to James. “Mr. James, good to see you’ve arrived,” he said with courteous formality.

James‘ gaze swept over Asher indifferently before he turned to look back at Mirabella. Noticing her preoccupation with her phone, he stood patiently, waiting for her to finish.

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A flicker of imitation crossed Asher’s face upon seeing this, but he held his tongue, standing silently beside James.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Mirabella sent off her last message and looked up. “What’s up? Why the hold–up?” Her eyes met James‘, filled with curiosity.

*Just waiting on you,” James replied, his voice cool and unhurried.

The lobby manager, who had stepped aside, was momentarily taken aback by the sight of Mirabella’s face.

Mirabella pursed her lips and pocketed her phone. It was only then that she seemed to notice Asher by James‘ side. She spared him a brief glance before turning her attention back to James. “It’s alright, don’t mind me.”

Asher didn’t bother to exchange pleasantries with Mirabella. Instead, he maintained a polite smile and chimed in, “Shall we head upstairs?” He gestured for them to follow.

James regarded Mirabella, whose delicate features were serene and subtly composed. “Ladies first,” he offered.

With a half–smile and a raised eyebrow, Mirabella took the lead without further ado.

Asher felt a momentary twinge of awkwardness, especially since James, a man of high status, was deliberately letting an ordinary girl walk ahead. It seemed to be making a point in front of him.

Asher, always eager to impress James, had disregarded others, particularly Mirabella, in his efforts to curry favor. He couldn’t fathom James taking a real interest in a girl as plain as Mirabella. But now, his opinion started to change. Asher composed himself and turned, following behind James.

As the group ascended the stairs, the lobby manager shook off his daze, fished out his phone, and fired off a message to the corporat management group: [Pretty sure I just saw the Miss Davis herself.] Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

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No sooner had the text been sent than the chat exploded with over five hundred members chiming in at once.

[OMG, green with envy over here!]

[Sounds like someone’s about to climb the corporate ladder!]

The banter continued, each comment dripping with sarcastic envy. The lobby manager’s lips curled into a smug grin. He pocketed his phone without responding and waved over to the second–floor supervisor.

One Mana

Back in the private room, Nikolai rose from his conversation with Owen and Johnny on the couch as Mirabella and James entered. “Mirabella, James,” he greeted, “you’ve arrived.”

Their entrance was perfectly timed at noon, not a minute late.