The True Heiress's Return

In an instant, everyone's attention was drawn to the man inside the car, whose remarkable aura was both divine and noble. Without realizing it, they all held their breath.

It was Walter, the man at the very top of the pyramid of power!

Joe stood there, astonishment clear on his face. "Mr. Lopez?" Yvelle was just as surprised. Berry, after a brief moment of joy, noticed Walter only had eyes for Shakira. Her fists clenched tightly with jealousy! Shakira was equally taken aback. "Why are you here?"

Walter responded coolly, "Just taking a stroll."

Shakira was startled. Who in their right mind would drive a Mercedes all the way from the city into the deep woods?!

Shakira silently complained to herself as Walter's gaze drifted over the bus stuck in the mud and then her suitcase. His tone was even. "Do you need any help?"

Before Shakira could reply, Xanthe eagerly jumped in. "Yes, yes! Shakira and I need to get up the mountain; we'd appreciate Mr. Lopez giving us a lift!" As she spoke, Xanthe casually handed the suitcase to Brian. "Thanks a lot."

Brian didn't wait for Walter to say anything. He just took both their suitcases and loaded them into the back of the car. With a ride available, Shakira definitely wouldn't choose to tire out her legs.

She walked around the car to get in, but suddenly, Berry's tearful voice, a bit breaking with helplessness, came from behind. "Mr. Lopez!" Berry stepped forward, her face full of pitiful pleading. "Mr. Lopez, our bus had some issues. Could you help us out?" As soon as those words were spoken, the expressions of everyone changed. Joe and Yvette looked the most displeased of all.

Joe had already called someone from the forest service office. So, when Berry suddenly asked Walter for help in front of everyone, it was essentially a major embarrassment for Joe.

Yvette knew exactly why Berry suddenly acted out. That cunning woman couldn't stand that Shakira had Walter's protection and craved to be the center of attention.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

However, even though Yvette didn't want to witness Shakira bask in glory, she would never let Berry trample on her dignity! In her mind, she cursed Berry hundreds of times for ruining her plans.

The students weren't concerned with any of this drama. Right now, their shoes were covered in mud, and they had nowhere to sit. If Walter could step in and help, they would be out of this mess quickly, without waiting an entire hour.

Shakira raised an eyebrow, looking back at Berry, who was staring at Walter with an intense, pitiful gaze. Seeing Berry acting all innocent, Shakira couldn't help but feel a tightness in her chest at the thought of why Berry dared to speak up in front of Walter... She gently furrowed her brow, and her movement didn't escape Walter's notice. With amusement, he smirked and suddenly turned to Shakira. "It's up to you. Should I help or not?"

It wasn't a question; he was completely handing over the decision-making power to Shakira.

Berry's expression nearly crumbled! Her heart started racing, and she panicked. She thought, 'What does this mean? Mr. Lopez was supposed to agree to my requests without a second thought, wasn't he? How could this be happening?" Shakira glanced over slowly, meeting Walter's enigmatic gaze. In an instant, she understood his intentions. This was his way of backing her up! With an offer like this, how could she refuse?

Shakira slightly curled her lips. "I'm not helping."

Walter agreed promptly and smoothly, "Okay."

Berry's eyes suddenly widened! Everyone was instantly shocked.

"Shakira, how could you do this? We're out here camping together, and you just let Mr. Lopez ignore our situation?"

"Yeah, it's one thing not to help us, but when Berry spoke up for us, you stopped Mr. Lopez from agreeing. You are mean!"

"And to think we all stood by you when you were being bashed online, and now here you are, betraying us without a second thought. Do you even have any morals?"

Shakira looked around at the people glaring at her with hostility and said nonchalantly, "Weren't you the ones who told me not to go with you?"

The group attacking her went silent, unsure of what to say.

Shakira sneered coldly, "You go back on your words. Don't you have any moral integrity?"

With just two sentences, Shakira managed to make them all quiet.

Xanthe, however, had already hopped onto the car behind and was swinging her legs. She clapped so hard that her hands nearly went numb!

She was worried Shakira might act soft-heartedly and agree to let Walter help them. Luckily, Shakira held her ground! She thought to herself, "They are just a bunch of ungrateful fools; only an idiot would help them!"

Everyone's faces turned red with embarrassment, and nobody dared to say another word. It was only when the big cars easily climbed up the mountain road and disappeared into the forest that someone in the crowd angrily burst out, "Who was the fool that said it? You really messed things up for us!"

As soon as that was said, the two girls who couldn't switch places earlier became the focus of everyone's reproachful stares. They had already regretted offending Yvette and Xanthe, and now, they felt even more remorseful! Who could have guessed Walter would suddenly arrive and stand up for Shakira like that?

Yvette gave a twisted smile, quietly mocking these people. She pretended to be considerate and said, "Joe, can't the people of the forest service office speed it up a bit?"

Joe understood her meaning and unwillingly said, "I'll give them a push!" With that, he took out his phone and called them back.

These people seemed to regain some pride. "So what if Shakira won't help us; we still have Joe!"

"Exactly, with what she did today, we can finally see her true colors!"

"One's origin truly matters a great deal, doesn't it? Both Joe and Yvette come from prestigious families and exhibit impeccable manners. Shakira, however, doesn't have..."

Joe suddenly spoke in a steady tone, "What did you say? You want us to wait?" No one knew what was said on the other end, but Joe hung up with a serious face.

Yvette's smile became a bit awkward, and she whispered, "Joe, what happened?"

Joe was holding back his frustration. "They've already reached the mountain road entrance, but Sean is stuck at the foot of the mountain too. They want to rescue Sean first before coming for us!" "What? How could this happen... What's going on today anyway? It's just a small mountain, and Walter and Sean come here, too!"

08.15 Sat, Nov 2

☐☐☐94%

45

The car was spacious inside. Even when going up the mountain road, it stayed as steady as ever. Shakira's phone kept buzzing with notifications, Xanthe was almost ecstatic, continuously praising her. Shakira had every reason to believe that if she were right next to Xanthe now, she'd probably be hugging her tightly and not letting go. She felt quite happy too, but...

Shakira slightly tilted her head, her eyes sharp and focused as she looked at the man resting with his eyes closed. "Is it really a casual tour, or do you