The Real Heiress Is Coming Back (Hannah Carter) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

He was dressed in a sleek black suit, tall and imposing, with neatly cropped hair. His presence radiated an overwhelming authority, a noble, kinglike aura that demanded respect.

Yet on his flawless face rested a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, perfectly balancing that cold intensity with a touch of refined elegance, making him seem both magnificent and unattainable.

Hannah looked at him, a strange feeling of familiarity stirring inside her.

‘I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before,’ she thought.

The man’s sharp eyes pierced through the lenses, burning with intensity as they locked onto her.

“Mr. Thole, an honor to have you here,” Jett said warmly, his tone laced with flattery and respect.

A delicate memory flickered in Hannah’s mind, a youthful face from deep within her recollections slowly merging with the man’s current visage.

‘It’s him,’ she realized.

Their gazes met, his burning eyes paired with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Hannah’s lashes fluttered involuntarily.

She quickly averted her eyes and clenched her fists tightly at her sides.

‘Did he recognize me?’ she wondered.

Barnaby observed these subtle movements closely, then coldly shifted his gaze to Lyra.

“So? Even Mr. Drumm can’t get you to cooperate?” he snapped.

Lyra flinched under his glare, a mix of irritation, awkwardness, and a hint of embarrassment washing over her.

‘Mr. Thole looked at me, she thought bitterly. And it’s this transfer student’s fault I’m embarrassed in front of him,’ she wondered.

At just 24, Barnaby had already attained a professorship. Handsome and fit, as the heir to the Thole family, he was wealthy and powerful, a dream man for every female teacher on campus.

“Mr. Thole, she’s from the slums, her grades are poor, and she’s riding on the Scott family’s patronage, arrogantly demanding a spot in Class 1.

“Based on her past records, I recommended she go to Class Eleven. That’s reasonable, right?” Lyra began, but faltered as Barnaby’s icy glare swept back at her. Her voice dwindled until it disappeared.

She shot Hannah a resentful glare, thinking, ‘That bitch is already trying to seduce Mr. Thole before she even enrolls.’

Jett, sensing the tension, quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over. “Hannah, take a look at this class-”

“Where’s the entrance exam?” Hannah interrupted, forcing herself to ignore Barnaby, her gaze sharp and cool toward Jett.

“You want to take the entrance exam?” Jett was surprised.

Though Wolfram personally arranged for this transfer and Barnaby was protective of her, Jett, like Lyra, doubted what someone from a slum school could achieve.

“Fine. You can take the entrance exam now in Building Two, Room 101,” Lyra said with a sly glint in her eyes. “If you don’t make it into Class 1, you’ll have to publicly bow before me at the opening ceremony.

“Apologize in front of all teachers and students, proving I was right.”

‘Since you embarrassed me in front of Mr. Thole, I’ll make you humiliate yourself in front of the entire school, Lyra thought.

Hannah raised her eyes to Lyra, expression unreadable, gaze icy.

Lyra mistook her silence for fear and curled her lips in a contemptuous smile.

“Scared? That’s right. Class 1 isn’t for just anyone,” Lyra sneered.

“What if I do make it?” Hannah interrupted calmly.

Lyra scoffed, “If you make it, I’ll bow to you in front of everyone at the opening ceremony.”

“Deal,” Hannah said, then turned away indifferently, only to collide with Barnaby’s deep gaze.

His eyes were like black holes, pulling her in with an irresistible gravity.

Her steps faltered, but she quickly regained composure and hastened away, avoiding him.

Lyra hadn’t expected Hannah to accept the bet so boldly. Upon watching her cold, retreating figure, jealousy burned in her eyes.

‘Keep pretending. You’ll regret this soon enough,’ she thought.

“Ms. Miller, how can you make such a bet with a student?” Jett suddenly realized, turning to Barnaby. “Mr. Thole, sorry about this. Please, have some coffee.”

Barnaby raised his hand, refusing. “No coffee for me, but I’m game for a bet.”

“Mr. Thole, what exactly do you want to bet on?” Jett was suddenly thrilled.

Barnaby glanced toward where Hannah had left. “If Hannah makes it into Class 1, you’ll have to replace the Class 1 homeroom teacher.”

Boom.

Lyra’s triumphant expression crumbled instantly, as if thunder had struck her. Her teaching career seemed to be hanging by a thread.