THE HEIRESS’ STOLEN IDENTITY のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

Gracelyn sat rigidly on the chair across from the counselor's desk, her hands clutching the edge of her notebook so tightly that her knuckles turned white.The man looked up from a stack of files, “Miss Valkyrie, tomorrow is the final deadline. We cannot hold your scholarship any longer."Her stomach dropped. “Please, sir,” she said quickly, her voice trembling. “Sir, this scholarship is everything. Please, just give me a few more days.”He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I know it's a hard position, Gracelyn. But life is hard, sometimes. The scholarship will be reallocated by 9 AM tomorrow.”Her throat tightened. “Tomorrow,” she repeated, almost whispering.He nodded slowly. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. The scholarship committee has a long waiting list. You understand, don’t you?”She nodded numbly, her eyes stinging as she forced a polite smile. “Thank you for your time, sir.”When she stepped out of his office, the hallway seemed longer than usual. Her hands s

The glass lobby of The Sinclair Corporation shimmered beneath the midday sun like a monument built solely for the wealthy.Gracelyn strode in with poise and confidence. Her black, hand-stitched couture suit clung to her like armor.This meeting was supposed to be her breakthrough.A collaboration with The Sinclair Corporation and LuxeGlobal, a multinational textile conglomerate. The partnership would give her exclusive access to rare fabrics, supply-chain support, and a global runway debut in Milan.In return, The Sinclair Corporation would oversee distribution rights for her upcoming “Rebirth Collection”, a line meant to elevate her into the highest tier of couture worldwide.She had invested savings, loans, and private investors into the initial stages. Backing out now would be catastrophic. Not just financially, but reputationally. If she pulled out, she would be the one blamed for destroying the tri-company alliance.She was prepared for the meeting.Prepared for the executives.P

Nicole stood beside the fountain long after Nathan had disappeared.The paper in his tiny hand crinkled softly as his fingers tightened around it like it was the only thing he had left.Nathan.The name lingered in his mind like something warm and unfamiliar. Like there was some sort of connection between the two of them.He turned his head slowly, once again, looking toward the direction Nathan had run.The garden was suddenly quiet. Like he was in his own small world, and nothing or nobody else was there.Just him.He lowered his eyes to the pencil scribble again.A number.His number.“My number. If you want to talk”He remembered his words.But did he really want to talk?Somehow, he felt like he could trust him.Ever since the accident, he hasn’t spoken to anyone at all. Not even his father.Even when he was given a paper and pen to communicate, he would rather sit still than write a word.Yet, he wanted to talk to this boy called Nathan. He wanted to know how it felt like to tal

The room fell silent the moment the girl dropped to her knees.Gracelyn blinked once, momentarily stunned.The girl’s shoulders trembled as she clasped her hands together, her head bowed so low that her hair nearly brushed the floor.“Please… I’m begging you,” she whispered shakily. “Forgive me. It was a mistake, I didn’t mean it.”Gracelyn stared at her.For a moment, she didn’t react.Her eyes slowly moved down to the dark coffee stain spreading across the front of her ivory blouse. The hot liquid had splashed when they collided, but the warmth barely registered against the sudden tension in the room.Then she looked back at the girl.Up close, she recognized her.She had seen her earlier that morning standing near the corner of the ground floor office space, as though she wasn’t meant to be there.Unlike the loud girls who had been gossiping, she looked quiet, like someone who wished to be invisible.The girl looked young.Barely out of her teens.Nineteen at most.Gracelyn exhaled

Gracelyn stood at the doorway for a moment, her hand resting lightly against the doorknob as her eyes lingered on Nathan.He was sprawled on the rug, completely absorbed in his toy cars, making soft engine noises as he played.The innocence and slight loneliness in the scene tugged at something deep within her chest, and it intensified her hatred for her family.If it weren’t for them, her baby would still be alive, and Nathan wouldn’t have to play alone or feel lonely.“Salome,” she called gently, though her tone carried authority.Salome appeared from the kitchen almost immediately, as if she had been waiting for the call, wiping her hands on a napkin. “Yes?”Gracelyn stepped further into the living room, lowering her voice slightly, though her gaze never left Nathan. “I’m heading out now. I need you to keep Nathan inside. No stepping out, not even into the compound unnecessarily. Maybe, to the garden, for some fresh air.”Salome frowned slightly. “But the estate is secured—”“I kno