The coffee shop.
"Ugh." Mina's eyes were squeezed shut, her brows tightly furrowed, and her features twisted as she swallowed the iced Americano. "It's so bitter!"
Vivienne side-eyed her, finally unable to hold back as she stood up and flicked Mina hard on the forehead.
"Are you out of your mind? Pulling a stunt like this, what if you completely break Sophia's spirit?"
Mina winced in pain, covering her forehead and arguing back indignantly, "How could it! I did this to motivate her. Do you think the 313th is a walk in the park? One careless mistake and people die! I had to make sure she stays on high alert at all times and takes good care of herself."
"Heh." Vivienne chuckled in exasperation. "Sophia really is lucky to have you."
Mina felt a little guilty and quickly changed the subject. "Let's not talk about that. I asked you out today because I have something to discuss with you."
Vivienne was still holding a grudge about what just happened and replied lukewarmly, "What is it?"
Mina looked left and right, lowering her voice. "About my identity, I have a new idea I'd like to discuss with you."
Vivienne asked, "Discuss what?"
Mina said, "I figured, I shouldn't be so pessimistic about this. Even if I'm not the biological daughter, they must still have feelings for me! The Blackthorne family is so rich, it's not like they'll just throw the adopted daughter out the moment the real one walks in."
Vivienne looked her up and down. "How did you figure that out?"
Mina chuckled sheepishly. "Thanks to you, actually. Look, aren't you an adopted daughter too? Isn't your mom unreliable too? And you're still doing perfectly fine. So I should be more optimistic as well."
"..." For a moment, Vivienne didn't know whether to praise her or smack her.
Mina clenched her fist and took another sip of coffee. "I plan to find a way to become friends with Isolde first. As long as I'm around, no one will dare bully her. After a while, when our relationship improves, I'll come clean to Grandfather."
The true and fake heiress burying the hatchet?
Vivienne cast a cool glance at the top of Mina's head. Influenced by tags and the narrative, it probably wouldn't be that easy. Still, Mina having this mindset was a good thing; there was no harm in letting her try. It was a small breakthrough.

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