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

Nikolai didn’t press further but shifted the topic with a smile, “By the way, are you into herbs?”

Mirabella raised an eyebrow in confusion at Nikolai’s query.

With a chuckle, Nikolai elaborated, “I’ve spent the last two years cultivating some Foxglove. Maybe you’d like to take a look at my herbs garden when you have a moment?” Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Mirabella’s face showed a hint of surprise. She was about to respond when Asher, Nikolai’s son, had quietly approached and cut in. “Dad, you’re getting mixed up. We don’t have any Foxglove in our garden. Let’s not give anyone a reason to laugh at us.”

The Reeves and Mendoza families had long been close allies, and since it was Knox’s birthday, Asher naturally joined his father at the Mendoza family’s birthday celebration. He hadn’t expected to run into Mirabella there.

Asher had a great deal of respect for Mirabella’s potion–making skills after watching her work, but that respect hadn’t extended beyond professional admiration. He certainly didn’t share his father’s near obsession with her.

Seeing his father carelessly mention the secret cultivation of Foxglove, Asher felt compelled to intervene, emphasizing the word ‘outsiders‘ to make his point.

Surprised by his younger son’s interruption, Nikolai furrowed his brow and turned to Asher with a scolding look. “Asher, is that any way to interrupt someone?”

Asher glanced at Mirabella, but since James was also present, he maintained a polite demeanor, conveniently ignoring his father’s displeasure. “Dad, Foxglove is such a rare herb. How could our family possibly have it?”

Mirabella’s eyebrows arched playfully as she tapped her fingers idly on the table. James poured her another cup of tea, which she accepted and sipped gracefully.

Asher noted James‘ gesture with a hint of suspicion. Why would someone from the esteemed Shepherd family show such special attention to a young girl? Asher had asked his father about Mirabella before, and Nikolai told him she was just an ordinary high school student, not from any significant lineage.

Nikolai, reading his son’s thoughts, darkened his expression. “It seems you didn’t take in a single word of our last conversation.”

Asher pursed his lips inwardly, thinking that his father was the one being naive, unaware that there were bigger fish in the sea. No matter how well–versed Mirabella was in herbs, how could a seventeen or eighteen–year–old girl possibly memorize the properties of thousands of them? It was likely she didn’t even know what Foxglove was.

Nikolai, fuming inside, glared at Asher before turning back to Mirabella with some embarrassment. “Actually, the Foxglove…”

Before he could finish, Mirabella set down her cup, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she interrupted, “Mr. Asher is correct. Foxglove is indeed rare, requiring very specific soil and environmental conditions. Aside from the chance of finding it in deep, old forests, trying to cultivate it is… quite difficult.”

Hearing Mirabella’s words, Asher had to suppress a laugh. Which precious herb didn’t need a specific environment to thrive? Her general statement sounded as if she knew quite a lot about the subject.

He couldn’t help but think she was putting on an act. Shaking his head, Asher remained silent.