《The Impostor Heir》全部章節：第 1 章 - 第 7 章

The apartment had a musty smell, like stall concrete coupled with yesterday’s rain. No matter how many times you opened the windows, the smell still lingered. Liora Rhodes pushed the door shut behind her, the lock made a tired click. She dropped her keys into the bows on the table, carrying her mother’s portrait. There was no point in switching on the light; the bulb had burned out few days back, forcing a choice between electricity and basic groceries, and of course she had to choose groceries to survive.Hanging her coat, thin at the elbows on a chair, she winced as her feet hit the cold floor. She had purchased the coat as second-hand three winters ago. Twelve hours on her feet today: A morning shift at the coffee shop where the tips bothered on insulting, this was followed by freelance work in the afternoon typing up data that would likely never see the light of day. Her fingers ached from the endless typing, her legs from standing. But the bank app on her phone had already told h

Damien shut the terrace doors with a gentle click, leaving Liora out in the night air, almost like an afterthought She stayed right where he left her, with a tingle in her wrist where he'd held on. The city sparkled below, oblivious to the war raging in her heart Every instinct screamed to leave slip back through the crowd outside, and pretend the last ten minutes never happened. But another part of her wanted to stay, watch and learn.She chose the second.Liora went back inside, blending herself into the crowd once more. The music had changed, now it's more mellow, with strings and a gentle piano that made conversation feels intimate. She grabbed an untouched champagne flute from a passing tray, mostly just to have something to hold onto Her gaze was fixed on the spot where Damien vanished.He popped back in a few minutes later, all by himself, strutting through the room like he owned the place. He didn't rush to find her right away. He had a quick chat with the silver-haired dude i

Midnight arrived in the twinkle of an eye.The rooftop garden at Apex Tower felt like a secret haven up above the city, with its glass railings, soft glow from the lanterns. The breeze up here was sharper. Liora exited the service elevator in the same midnight-blue gala dress she wore, freshly cleaned and pressed in a hurry. No uniform.No tray. She's got just herself and a heartbeat that's just not taking a breakShe came prepared with questions, not guns. Btu the weight in her chest felt heavier than any knifeThe garden looked deserted and empty at first glance, then she caught sight of himDamien was standing by the far edge, facing her, with his hands pressed against the window“You came.”“You invited me.”He let out a breath, maybe it was relief or just acceptance. "Most people would've run after that email.“I’m not most people.”He finally flipped his lid. The lantern's glow highlighted the sharp features of his face, he pointed to a bench, half-covered by vines, and said, "S

Liora's sneakers made a splashy sound on the damp street as she sprinted through the tight alley behind her apartment. The city's night sounds, distant horns, a siren wailing somewhere far off covered up her ragged breathing, but the footsteps behind her were still loud and clear. They were making progress Steady. Professional.She didn't turn around. Reflecting on it would hold her backShe took a sharp left turn at the next corner, slipping behind a line of overflowing trash bins. The smell hit her like a brick wall, rotten food and damp cardboard but she leaned her back against the wall, trying to slow her breathing down. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it could betray herTeh pace of the footsteps eased off. Stopped. Then a soft-spoken guy with a foreign accent called out.“Miss Rhodes. We just want to talk.”She closed her eyes fro a moment. Damien's voice wasn't there. Not Seraphina’s. Someone hired. Someone got paid to tidy up the loose stuffShe pulled her phone ou