Chapter 60
Mr. Ashcroft lifted his cup of coffee, blowing gently over the steam.
“The military seems to hold it as an important matter.”
Elian arched his lips. “They want me to work without the title or the paycheck? That’s not even how freeloading
works.”
Mr. Ashcroft took a sip. “They’re just trying to butter you up, hoping you’ll return. After all, you’re the only one who can keep them in line.”
Ever since Elian left, the crew had been like a pack of stray dogs, impossible to rein in.
Elian shrugged, asking casually, “Can’t they figure it out themselves?”
Mr. Ashcroft remained unfazed, replying, “Nope, they can’t.”
Elian frowned. “Then how the hell am I supposed to figure it out?”
Mr. Ashcroft was momentarily speechless.
Elian unfolded his legs and stood up. “Not planning on going back anytime soon. Tell them not to waste their time.”
Mr. Ashcroft’s brows furrowed, but he said nothing more.
Elian’s lips curled upwards. “Besides, I still need to get the doctor for you.”
At the mention of doctors, Mr. Ashcroft’s thoughts turned to Miranda.
He wasn’t privy to the deal between Elian and Miranda, but as a patient, and for the sake of his fellow soldiers suffering from the same ailment, if Miranda could indeed diagnose and treat this disease, she’d be a hero in the eyes of the military.
“Miranda, well, I quite like her,” he said with a raised eyebrow. “Though it seems I’m not the only one.”
Elian’s grin slowly faded.
Mr. Ashcroft continued steadily, “Speaking of which, that Sebastian kid, he used to brawl with you all the time back at Virell, didn’t he? Seems like he’s mellowed out a bit as he grew.”
Sebastian hailed from Virell too, and the elite circles were tightly knit; many had grown up together.
Elian and Sebastian had known each other since childhood but never got along, always ending up in fights.
“He’s just putting on a show,” Elian said dismissively. “I know exactly what kind of person he is.”
Just then, Elian’s phone buzzed. Pulling it out, he glanced at it and saw an update about Miranda.
He’d secretly set up notifications for her profile, so anything concerning Miranda popped up on his screen.
His brows furrowed at the news, but when he saw her updated status, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
Seeing Elian’s amusement, Mr. Ashcroft could guess who it was about and shook his head with a smile.
He suddenly felt that leaving Elian in Zephra might not be such a bad thing.
He recalled meeting Elian three years ago when he returned, looking as if he’d crawled back from hell, half a soul left behind. Now, seeing him here, he seemed to have come back to life.
Cedarhurst Academy.
Known as a prestigious school in Zephra, and a world–famous business academy, it was a hotspot for the offspring of the wealthy.
Arabella was one of the school’s icons, attracting attention wherever she went. But–seeing the internet flooded
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with speculation about Miranda’s true identity made Arabella pale as a ghost.
“Arabella, isn’t this Miranda the one from our old school? How did she become so famous all of a sudden?”
“Yeah, I even heard someone say she’s actually Miss Lancaster… like, no way, right? Who believes that?”
The two girls trailing Arabella were quick to belittle Miranda. They were close to Arabella and fans of her four brothers, having been her entourage since high school. At Arabella’s behest, they had bullied Miranda in the
past.
Arabella’s face darkened, and she spat coldly, “How would I know? Who knows what lies she’s spun.”
That damned slut! How did she become Miss Lancaster?
A nobody, abandoned by her own parents and brothers, could never compare to her, let alone surpass her in
status!
“It can’t just be a rumor, right? I always thought Miranda didn’t look much like her supposed parents. Could she really be a switched–at–birth heiress?” Judy speculated offhandedly.
Her words made Arabella snap, the latter’s palm striking Judy’s face with a sharp slap. Judy was bewildered, her cheek stinging with pain.
“Why’d you hit me?” Judy whimpered.
Arabella glared, “Switched–at–birth? She’s an impostor! No one would ever truly like her! A lowlife like her, you really think she’s the real deal?”
Judy, chastised, bit her lip and fell silent.
Nora tried to calm things down. “Arabella, Judy didn’t do it on purpose. Miranda couldn’t possibly be a true heiress, just look at her shabby demeanor.”
Arabella hissed impassively, “Don’t let me hear any more of this nonsense! Or else, don’t blame me for what happens next!”
With that, Arabella stormed off towards the school gates. It was dismissal time, and the area was bustling with students.
Judy, still upset, watched Arabella leave, tears in her eyes. “What’s her deal? I heard some say she’s the real impostor. Didn’t she get kicked out of the Lancaster Group’s banquet recently?”
