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

Donald glanced at Curtis and placed the black checker with an assertive thump on the board, a crisp sound ringing through the air.

Curtis heard the noise, and jolted in his seat, reflexively sitting down with his back ramrod straight, looking every bit the picture of concentration on the game before him.

Trailing behind James, Wyatt caught the scene and couldn’t help but think to himself, “Thank God I wasn’t the one caught swiping coffee beans back in the day”

James gave the board a cursory look before carefully setting down the plastic cylinder he was carrying on the side table next to his armchair.

Donald caught sight of the cookie design on the container and couldn’t help but curl his lip in disdain. “What’s with the cookie tin? Don’t you know I’ve never had a sweet tooth?”

James settled into the sofa, a serene grace playing across his handsome features under the lamp’s soft glow. He leaned back casually and said, “It’s not cookies.” Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

At that, Donald’s curiosity was piqued. “Then what is it?”

Massaging his brow, James closed his eyes and replied in a measured tone, “You could always open it and see for yourself.”

Veering off from his initial move to pick up another checker, Donald reached for the plastic container instead.

The opaque wrapping concealed its contents, leaving Donald to guess what was inside until he unscrewed the lid and found incense sticks. He paused, momentarily taken aback. Looking up, he

inquired, “This incense…”

Before he could finish, Wyatt chimed in with an explanation, “Ms. Mirabella sent that over.”

James, who had paused his temple massaging, opened his eyes to give Wyatt a sharp look. Oblivious to the exchange, Wyatt continued, “Ms. Mirabella heard you’ve been having trouble sleeping and thought this might help.

Donald cast a skeptical eye on Wyatt. “That young lady has a good heart?” He found it hard to believe.

Wyatt straightened up, defending Mirabella with conviction, “Ms. Mirabella is as kind–hearted as she is beautiful, with a temper to match.”

Curtis, quietly observing, couldn’t help but think how Wyatt seemed to be her number one fan.

Donald’s eyelids twitched. Sure, she was beautiful but kind–hearted? With a good temper? Was the same person who once coldly threatened to chase him away and even boasted about fighting seniors a fake?

Taking a whiff of the incense, Donald detected the familiar scent of sandalwood mixed with a hint of medicinal herbs, likely the same kind she had used that one night. After sealing the container, Donald rose to his feet, abandoning the game, and headed upstairs with the incense in hand.

Once Donald had departed, Curtis, who had been sitting up so stiffly, finally allowed himself to relax. He rubbed his stiff knees, his discomfort unspeakable. Faced with the choice between dealing with Donald and working in Antartica, he’d take the latter any day.

Wyatt clapped Curtis on the shoulder. “Curtis, you’ve had it tough.”

10:07

Curtis, expressionless, shrugged off the hand, his face all but spelling out the word ‘Scram.”

Wyatt touched his nose and moved around the armchair to avoid Curtis‘ foul mood, making sure to sit at a

sate distance.

Curtis glanced at James and remembered something important. “Oh, James, the security system for the Davis family next door should be from DO Group, right?”

“No way! Doesn’t DO’S security only cater to government agencies in major nations? How did the Davis. family get it? Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Curtis?” Wyatt exclaimed in surprise.

DO was renowned internationally as a top–of–the–line security systems company, boasting the most advanced hacking technology and a grip on countless internet infrastructures worldwide. Even the Shepherd family had tried to negotiate a deal with them multiple times, only to be rebuffed.

The idea of the Davis family using DO’s systems…. was almost unthinkable.