The Real Heiress Is Coming Back (Hannah Carter) novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Chapter 203

The car was filled with an awkward silence on the way back.

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When they arrived at the courtyard, neither tried to stop the other. Hannah didn’t ask Barnaby to stay, and Barnaby just said he had something to deal with at the Thole family estate.

Ten minutes later.

Hannah went inside, changed into a fresh outfit, and called Candy. “You done for the day? Want to grab a drink?”

“Yeah, I’m done. Weren’t you supposed to be at the auction with your Barnaby? Back so soon?” Candy asked.

“Let’s meet up somewhere. I’ll tell you in person,” Hannah said.

“Alright, see you at the Nocturne Grand,” Candy replied.

Hannah hung up, called a ride, and headed to the Nocturne Grand.

Meanwhile, Barnaby was driving. When he reached the turnoff to the Thole family estate, he veered off in another direction and gave Tristan a call.

“Let’s go for a drink. The usual spot,” Barnaby said.

*****

The Nocturne Grand was the biggest bar in Kinswood, with all sorts of people hanging around.

As soon as Hannah showed up, the bouncer stopped her. “Hey, kid, no minors allowed.”

She was about to flash her ID at him when Candy’s voice rang out from behind, all playful, “Hannah-”

The bouncer’s face lit up with a fawning grin when he saw Candy in her mask. “Candy, it’s been ages since you last came by.”

Candy tossed her car keys to him for parking, then threw an arm around Hannah’s shoulders and led her inside.

Since Candy was a regular here, the manager wasted no time leading them to a private room upstairs, serving drinks with a big grin.

“Candy, you brought a friend tonight? We just got some new blood in, want me to send a couple over for you to check out?” the manager said.

Candy perked right up at the mention of new blood, but when Hannah shot her a chilly glare, she instantly backed off. “Nope.”

Once the manager left, the room finally quieted down.

“So, what’s up? Did you and Barnaby have a fight?” Candy asked, pouring Hannah a glass of red wine.

Even though Hannah was the one who called for drinks, Candy knew she couldn’t really hold her liquor.

“No,” Hannah said, taking a small sip of her wine. “I just feel like he’s hiding something from me.”

She’d noticed Barnaby trying to test her in the parking lot, but she kept her cool and acted like she didn’t notice a thing.

“Wait, what? Is he seeing someone else? Or did he get diagnosed with something fatal?” Candy blurted out, eyes wide in

shock.

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Chapter 203

Hannah just stared at her, exasperated. “Can’t you ever think of something good?”

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Candy poured herself a shot of brandy to steady her nerves. “If it’s not cheating or someone dying, what else could be that dramatic?”

Hannah gave Candy the lowdown on what happened at the Scepter House, including how Barnaby tried to see what she

knew.

Barnaby always played up how tough things were for him at home with the Thole family, but the way he threw money around told a different story. Hannah saw right through it, but she never called him out.

She had her own fair share of secrets from Barnaby, so it wasn’t as if she was any better.

Still, now that they were a couple, was it really cool for them to keep all these secrets from each other?

“Oh, come on, it’s not that big a deal,” Candy said, putting down her glass.

“If you’re just having fun with him, who cares? But if you’re thinking long-term, you really ought to lay it all out for him. Let him see how awesome my Hannah really is.”

Hannah shook her head. “Can’t do it.”

‘My Raven identity is still wanted. No way I can spill that.’ Hannah thought to herself.

“What, you’re actually worried you’ll freak him out?” Candy raised an eyebrow, half-joking.

“Maybe you’re right, better keep it under wraps. Barnaby’s been stuck in the army for ten years thanks to his family, hasn’t really seen much of the real world. No need to blow his mind,.” Candy continued.

Hannah shook her head again. “Still can’t.”

‘But keeping secrets from each other forever? That’s not gonna work.’ Hannah thought, feeling a bit stuck.

Candy sighed. “So you won’t do this, and you won’t do that. What exactly do you want?”

Hannah took a gloomy sip of wine. “That’s why I called you. I need your help to figure this out.”

Candy just stared at her, speechless.

‘Here we go again. Endless loop.’ Candy thought, feeling helpless.

*****

Upstairs in the VIP room on the third floor, Barnaby sat in the corner, drinking in silence.

Tristan was about to call in some girls to spice things up, but one look from Barnaby shut that down fast. Finneus was in Kinswood for work and had gotten dragged along too. Tristan and Finneus just exchanged a look, both thinking the same thing.

Ever since Barnaby started dating Hannah, he’d been all about her and stopped coming out for drinks with them. Now, out of the blue, he called them up, had to wonder if something was wrong.

“Barnaby, you hardly ever call us out for drinks. Is this really just about the booze? If you want the good stuff, why not hit up my winery? I’ve got every vintage you can imagine,” Tristan couldn’t help but ask.

Barnaby replied, terse as ever, “Too far. Not interested.”

Tristan just stared at him, speechless.

Chapter 203

He lit up a cigar and teased, “Trouble in paradise with Hannah?”

Barnaby replied, “No.”

Tristan huffed, “Then what’s with the long face?”

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Barnaby kept brooding over his drink. Finneus refilled his glass and asked, “Barnaby, is this about your secret identity?”

Finneus was Barnaby’s trusted advisor, sharp as ever. He cut straight to the heart of what was eating at Barnaby.

Earlier tonight, Hannah finally confessed she was the Nameless Healer. Barnaby was thrilled, but at the same time, guilt gnawed at him.

Because he wasn’t just hiding his own secrets, he’d even straight-up lied to her.

“Got any advice?” Barnaby looked up at Finneus.

Finneus had told him before that telling Hannah about his true identity would probably help their relationship.

But if he did, he’d have to make Hannah swear on her life never to breathe a word about him being the Master of the Scepter House.

The Scepter House was a maze of power plays. Besides the Master, there were ten elders, and to keep the peace and business running smoothly, the identities of the Master and the elders were always kept shrouded in mystery.

Since Barnaby took over, only a handful of his closest brothers, those who’d sworn a life-and-death oath, knew who he really

was.

So, knowing this secret was more of a curse than a blessing.

Finneus pushed up his glasses. “At this point, since you’ve already kept it from her, you really don’t have much choice but to keep hiding it. Just wait for the right time to come clean.”

Barnaby kept drinking in silence. ‘Looks like I don’t have any other choice right now, he thought.

Upstairs in the private room, Hannah hadn’t figured out a solution yet, she just managed to get herself drunk first.

Candy quickly snatched the glass from her hand. “Hannah, stop drinking. You’re totally wasted. What’s Barnaby’s number? Want me to call him to pick you up?”

“I’m not drunk, hic, don’t call him,” Hannah protested, hiccupping as she wobbled toward the door.

Candy suddenly realized that if Barnaby found out, there’s no way he’d let Hannah hit the bars, good thing she managed to sneak out without him knowing.

She quickly grabbed her stuff and ran after her. “Hey, don’t wander off! The elevator’s this way. Where are you headed?”

Hannah, totally wasted, slurred, “There are hot guys over there-”

“Girl, you’re totally blowing your cover!” Candy exclaimed, grabbing her and dragging her toward the elevator.

Candy was seriously regretting bringing Hannah out for drinks. When she was sober, Hannah was all cool and untouchable, like some goddess above it all. But after a few drinks, she turned into a shameless flirt.

Candy finally managed to haul Hannah over to the elevator. The doors dinged open, and the instant she saw who was inside, she froze on the spot.

Her mind went blank except for one thing: ‘Hannah, you’re finished!’