Chapter 4
As everyone knows, every fake heiress has a well–matched childhood sweetheart by her side.
Ethan Drake was just such a presence.
He excelled in both character and studies, noble and elegant, the Prince Charming
in countless girls‘ hearts, an unattainable flower on a high cliff.
The “flower” himself was indeed outstanding, with eyes containing stars that one could drown in, and the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile that made
one feel as if basking in spring sunshine.
He was truly as gentle as jade, refined and courteous.
my gaze, he took the
Noticing initiative to send out a friendly signal: “Hello, I’m
Ethan Drake. I’ve heard about you before, and I hope we can get along well in the future. However, your personality seems a bit different from what I imagined…”
Get along well?
That’s really not necessary!
According to the unwritten rules of true and fake heiresses, this guy might have. some entanglement with Jules..
Before I could respond, Jules rushed forward in one swift move, standing protectively in front of Ethan like she was guarding her food.
Screaming at the top of her lungs, with tears streaming down her face: “Diana Chen! Are you trying to drive a wedge between Big Brother Ethan and me again? You can take away those material things, I don’t care! But Big Brother Ethan…” The three words “Diana Chen” echoed throughout the classroom, triggering multiple discussions.
Me: [insert mental image of a confused elderly person looking at a smartphone] What’s wrong with this girl?
It’s my fault for letting her stir up trouble again and again! I should have dealt with
her thoroughly!
“Take away? I’ve never heard of a rightful owner reclaiming their belongings being called ‘taking away.‘ You really know how to open my eyes! What’s this? Bringing a
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drama to the classroom? Diana Chen? That should have been your name, right? After borrowing your name for seventeen years, shouldn’t it be returned to its rightful owner? I’m not two–faced; I won’t shamelessly keep what belongs to
others without returning it.”
My voice was even louder than Jules‘, making sure everyone could hear.
My speech was a prime example of speaking with hidden meanings and sarcasm, easily arousing a deep sense of curiosity.
Sure enough, the surrounding discussions grew increasingly clamorous..
They couldn’t wait to go home and inquire about the internal secrets of the Shirelids family..
Jules maintained a posture of a delicate willow in the wind, her figure swaying as if about to collapse, yet still struggling to protect Ethan, afraid that he might be “tainted” by me..
Instead, it was Ethan who gently pushed her aside, still maintaining his composure and elegance: “Jules, I was the one who initiated conversation with Clara. Also, I’ve told you many times, I’m not your possession.”
“Big Brother Ethan! Have you been deceived by her slander? I won’t be friends with you anymore, I won’t talk to you ever again!
Julles angrily stomped her foot, covered her face, and ran out, leaving behind a trai of fragrance…
Her words made no sense from beginning to end.
Anyone who didn’t know better might think I was the third party intruding on their
relationship!
As a celebrity in this school, she undoubtedly had an emotional advantage. Look, quite a few people were already glancing at me with strange looks, clearly taking what I had just said as some kind of attempt to attract the opposite sex. Unexpectedly, Ethan’s eyes across from me showed even more interest as he said softly, “Do you need me to clarify things?”
I raised the corner of my mouth, lifted my chin slightly, my posture proud: “No
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need for your trouble, Illcio it myself!”
Jules couldn’t possiblythink I’d let her sling mud at me just because she ran away could she??
Knowing her mature, she probably hadn’t gone far, likely hiding nearby to spy.. Istrode totheportiuumiina few steps and began to speak under everyone’s watchfulleyass:“Sintellcenrolled, your curiosity about my background has beem particularly strong. I’m not standing here to clarify anything to you all. I believen believing immumors and hearsay is a basic quality of a high school student Ilhom yourcamuseyourown eyes to discern right from wrong and not be led bythe
nose“!!
“Assfamwihollam to the Shields family and why I transferred to this school. The
answer isjjust ffourwords: a cuckoo in the nest! For specifics, students cango homeandaask their parents. I believe they will give you a definite answent!! The Shields family had never hidden my existence. The reason they hadntt anmountediit widely was because of the approaching college entrantreexams, pushing all arrangements to after the exams..
Moreover, even if I explained clearly now, some people wouittisstil behalf–skeptic amditthink I was lying. It’s better to send them home to ask theerroown parents. Hearing the truth from an “authority” would give them thatteth shattering, mind blowing feeling of their worldview crumbling.
Back in my seat, I idly twirled my pen.
Ilwonder how spectacular Jules‘ expression must be assiteavesdrops outside?
Ireally hope tomorrow comes quickly….
The next day, I arrived at school early, just to fully appreciate my classmates‘
expressions.
In other words, to enjoy the show.
Sure enough, the dark circles under these youngmasters and misses‘ eyes
couldn’t be hidden, and their gazes towards me were evasive.
The most severe was my deskmate, a core mentber of jules‘ fan club who had
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often given me the cold shoulder for Jules‘ sake.
Now, after carefully inquinting at home, her idol had fallen from grace. The devastation in her heart was imaginable.
Even so, she picked up the shattered pieces of her worldview and apologized to me with a flushed face: “I’m sorry! I apologize for my unreasonable behavion
before!!”
Let me reiterate, malkind and good girl.
Faced with such a sincere deskmate, I of course outwardly chose to forgive her graciously, and said to her gently: “It’s alright, those who don’t know can’t be blamed!. I thought school was a place for learning, not for tracing every students background, but reality isn’t like that.”
“Thene ane two reasons why I didn’t tell everyone. First, with the college entrance exams approaching, I didn’t want to occupy everyone’s time with pensomail matters Second, I didn’t want everyone to pity me. I’m actually quite a proud person!/Alas, really isnt as I wished!”
My diesikmate’s expression visibly grew more and more guilty as she waved her hands explaining: “We don’t think you’re pitiful at all! We actually quite admire
wow!!”
Il pretended to be relieved and said lightly: “If that’s the case, you must come to the banquet the Shields family is hosting after the college entrance exams! I’ll sen you all invitations!”
“Okay! Okay!”
My deskmate agreed hastily, her attitude towards me becoming increasingly eage If her feelings towards me were guilt and apology, them towards Jules, it was Ihatred that made her grit her teeth.
This school is a private school, a gathering place for must fund kids.
When it comes to the scheming within wealthy households, even if they haven’t eaten pork, they’ve at least seen pigs run..
Rumors circulated at school that I was amonphan sponsored by the Shields family
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yet I was greedy for their wealth and bullied the “Shields Heiress.” Thinking about
it carefully, I understood what was really going on…
Clara Shields turned her life around, gradually getting back on track.
Her classmates at school were friendly, while outside of school, Julie…
Judging by Julie’s increasingly sour expression, she was likely too busy dealing with fans turning against her to scheme against Clara anymore.
A few days later, Clara stumbled upon a massive scene of fans abandoning their idol.
Standing in the stairwell leading to the rooftop, Clara quietly listened as fans, led by her Desk Mate, interrogated Julie.
“I idolized you, and this is how you repay us? Using us as pawns?”
“Ha! You are a thief’s descendant, lying through your teeth! What does that
truly
prove? It proves you can’t escape your bloodline! Julie, you’re rotten to the core! No matter who raised you, you’d still be despicable!”
“Didn’t Clara Shields already say it? Je should’ve been named Zhaodi Chen! You stole someone else’s identity, enjoyed the wealth and status that should’ve been hers, and now you’re playing the victim? Slandering her? Doing such wicked things, aren’t you afraid of karma biting you back?”
With Desk Mate leading the charge, their voices grew louder and shriller. Then came Julie’s defense, genuinely feeling wronged: “If you really liked me, why can’t you put yourselves in my shoes? She appeared in my life out of nowhere, not even giving me time to accept reality! Don’t you think I’m upset too?”
Desk Mate translated coldly: “She means she hasn’t had enough of the good life. and finds the true Shields daughter an eyesore.”
Waves of mocking laughter echoed from the rooftop.
Having heard enough, Clara quietly slipped away.
Unexpectedly, she found Ethan Drake on the floor below, casually leaning against the window. Who knew how much he’d overheard.
He waved his hand nonchalantly: “Oh! Heading out?”
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Clara stopped in front of him, feeling a rare curiosity: “You… aren’t you going to rescue your little childhood sweetheart?”
“Please! Our families might be close, but we’re definitely not childhood
sweethearts! I can’t stand the type that’s always crying and whining!” Clara:
What was with this eagerness to distance himself?
Had his image cracked? What happened to the aloof flower?
Ethan seemed to glimpse Clara’s thoughts, smiling charmingly, exuding a hint of pretty–boy trouble.
“I’m good friends with your two brothers and have read plenty of true–heir–versus- fake–heir stories. Since you’re so straightforward, I figured I shouldn’t put on an act in front of you.”
He lowered his gaze, appearing slightly shy: “I didn’t scare you, did I?”
Honestly, the bashful look in the young man’s eyes was indeed alluring and could easily soften one’s heart.
But Clara inexplicably felt like he had a fox tail swaying behind him.
She forced a smile: “I’m not scared, just a bit surprised by your personality.” Since the people on the rooftop could come down at any moment, Clara
exchanged a few casual words with Ethan before leaving.
Shortly after returning to the classroom, Julie and her group came bustling in… Julie seemed to have been through quite an ordeal. Her usually sleek hair was
slightly disheveled, and her clothes were wrinkled.
Knowing Clara was watching, she still put on her heiress act, chin held even higher
than usual.
But she seemed to forget that after this incident, she was no longer the bright.
moon in everyone’s hearts.
Never underestimate the fury of fans, especially when those fans are young masters and misses. Deceiving them only leads to more severe backlash. While Clara used every moment to study, Julie’s life became a living hell. All the
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tactics once used against Clara were now turned on her.
Clara couldn’t have been more pleased!
Once again, she felt that familiar prickling sensation of being watched. She paused
her writing and looked back diagonally, meeting a hateful gaze. Clearly, the
innocent flower act was no longer sustainable.
Clara pursed her lips in a smile, shielding her mouth with her right hand, and
mouthed silently, one word at a time: “Fans! K.O.!”
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