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

Mirabella had to admit that her knowledge of James was rather thin, even after nearly a year of acquaintance. Their interactions were sparse, and she’d only just learned his name when he offered it up in conversation.

James cocked his head to the side, his eyebrow arching playfully at Mirabella. “Do I look the part to you?”

She gave him a once–over, a frank shake of her head her only reply. “Not really.” No school would dare hire a teacher who gave off such a creepy vibe. It’d be like they didn’t want their students to focus on their studies at all.

A faint smile played at the corners of James‘ lips as he admitted, “I’m definitely not a teacher.”

Figures.

Mirabella arched an eyebrow and glanced out the car window, her interest in prying further evidently waning. “Please, Just drop me off here. I can make it the rest of the way on my own.”

Wyatt, who was in the driver’s seat, slowed the car down at her request but didn’t come to a stop until he caught James‘ nod in the rearview mirror.

“Sure thing.” James murmured. Only then did Wyatt gently press the brake pedal.

Mirabella swept a thoughtful gaze forward, muttered a brief thanks, and stepped out of the car.

It was a few moments before Wyatt quietly started up the car again, stealing another glance at Mirabella’s retreating figure through the window. He leaned in, his voice low with curiosity. “James, is that Mirabella, the same girl you had

us look into?”

“Mhm,” James replied, his voice detached. His usual cool demeanor returned as he casually tapped his long fingers against his knee.

Wyatt appeared puzzled as he mused. “She’s pretty, sure, but I don’t see what’s so special about her.” He couldn’t understand why his boss was so interested in an average high school girl. If the family got wind of it, it’d surely cause

a stir.

e was intense. He spoke with a hint of amusement in his voice. “Being attractive is a specialty in its own

James‘ gaze

right.”

Wyatt couldn’t help but mutter. “There are plenty of beauties in Riverdale. High society ladies, no less, and I haven’t seen you giving them a second glance.”

“Superficial” James scoffed softly, his handsome face etched with disdain..

Wyatt sighed internally. Such double standards…

Shaking his head, Wyatt decided to steer the conversation away from Mirabella, his expression turning serious. “By the way, James, our contacts in the shadows say they can’t find any trace of Clan. Could it be… that this person doesn’t actually exist?”

After all, even their global information network, The Mirror, had come up empty.

James‘ lips pursed slightly. “Do you think those drugs concocted from ancient secrets are also fake?”

A look of frustration crossed Wyatt’s face. “But we’ve been searching for over a year..

“Then we’ll search for another year,” James replied, his tone light but unmistakably impatient. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Wyatt glanced at the rearview mirror before giving a quiet acknowledgment, dropping the subject.

After her ride. Mirabella quickly found someone to point her to the guidance counselor’s office. It didn’t take her long to arrive at the doorway. She knocked and waited for a response before casually strolling in.

The office housed a solitary figure, a teacher In his forties hunched over some paperwork at his desk. Mirabella approached and succinctly explained her presence.

Morgan, the guidance counselor, set down his pen, a look of surprise on his face. “You’re the Mirabella from Elm Creek who aced the online exam?”

Mirabella adjusted her backpack strap with a nonchalant lift of her brows. “Unless someone’s been taking exams in my name, that’s me.”

Morgan appraised the confident girl before him, thinking how kids from small towns were always so full of themselves. never knowing when to dial it back. He shook his head and said, “Hand over your acceptance letter, then.”