The Real Heiress Is Coming Back (Hannah Carter) novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Closing her phone, Hannah allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. At least one thing was going according to plan.

She just needed to obtain the Obsidian Pearl next week, cure Barnaby, and then she could walk away for good. Whatever reasons he had for entertaining other women, family pressure or genuine interest, would no longer be her concern.

“Does it feel a bit formal if I call you Mr. Thole? Would you mind if I use your first name?” Daisy asked, gazing at Barnaby with sincere eyes.

At that very moment, the music in Hannah’s earbuds happened to pause, allowing her to hear the question with perfect clarity.

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” Barnaby replied casually, though his attention remained fixed on Hannah.

She was quietly savoring her cream soup, appearing completely unfazed by Daisy’s presence or their conversation.

Barnaby couldn’t help but question the effectiveness of his tactics.

Hannah seemed genuinely absorbed in her game and meal, showing no reaction to his interactions with Daisy.

‘When we were children, she always said I was her favorite,’ he reflected with a trace of wistfulness. ‘How did she become so distant?’

“You’re so thoughtful, Barnaby,” Daisy responded with a bashful smile. He truly embodied everything that had drawn her to him at first sight, refined, courteous, and gentle.

Had it not been for the third person at their table, she might have believed his considerate behavior from the moment they met was genuine interest.

But each time she noticed his gaze lingering on Hannah, she recognized a softness in his usually detached expression, one that was never meant for her.

Still, Daisy wasn’t one to concede defeat easily.

Pressing on gracefully, she continued, “You know, Barnaby, it’s funny how life works. Remember that pirate incident on the cruise ship six years ago?

“You were the one who saved me. If the special forces hadn’t been dispatched last minute, thousands of us would’ve ended up at the bottom of the ocean…”

Hannah listened in silence, her head bowed over her

soup.

‘So that’s why she’s being so friendly. Trying to repay her hero by offering herself, Hannah mused.

Just then, she felt a foot brush against hers under the table,

Chapter 56

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Before she could process it, the foot began tracing a slow path up her stockinged calf, gliding through the slit

of her dress.

Hannah choked on her broth, jerking her head up to stare at Barnaby in disbelief.

While Daisy was busy batting her eyelashes at him, he was secretly caressing her leg under the table.

What on earth was he playing at?

“Easy there,” Barnaby murmured, handing her a napkin with an unreadable smile. “No need to rush. I’ll make sure you’re properly fed before you leave.”

Without changing her expression, Hannah adjusted her posture. Under the table, she suddenly hooked her left leg around his, trapping his foot with the back of her knee to prevent him from pulling away.

“Mr. Thole,” she said sweetly, her gaze shifting meaningfully between him and Daisy, “perhaps you should remind yourself of tonight’s agenda. Shouldn’t you let Ms. Reese examine your condition?”

Her tone was perfectly polite, but her eyes subtly signaled that Barnaby ought to behave like a gentleman and redirect his attention to Daisy.

If Barnaby were to stand up now, their under-the-table entanglement would be exposed.

What had begun as a playful provocation had backfired. He hadn’t expected Hannah to retaliate so boldly.

Yet, he found himself amused by her reaction. Deliberately, he brushed his toes against the sensitive hollow of her knee.

Hannah’s bare calf tingled at the contact, a shiver of sensation creeping up her skin.

‘What is he trying to do?’ she wondered, growing increasingly flustered until she had no choice but to release

his foot.

Still unwilling to back down completely, she shot him a discreet glare, only to find Barnaby watching her with a roguish grin, as though challenging her to respond.

Daisy, meanwhile, felt utterly overlooked.

She had poured effort into recounting the story of her and Barnaby’s first meeting, hoping to underscore their shared history and social compatibility, only to be reduced to a background presence.

To make matters worse, the two were now openly exchanging meaningful looks right in front of her.

But Daisy had been raised with poise and perseverance.

Swallowing her irritation, she reminded herself of her determination to marry Barnaby. Giving up now would mean she wasn’t worthy of him.

Just then, a waiter entered with the next course.

“No matter how urgent the consultation,” Daisy remarked, her smile impeccably polished, “we mustn’t let you

go hungry. Barnaby, their foie gras is excellent. You must try it.”

“I don’t eat foie gras,” Barnaby declined flatly.

Unfazed, Daisy replied smoothly, “I see. I’ll remember that. Their Kobe beef is also superb. Perhaps you’d prefer that?”

“I don’t eat steak either,” he added.

Hannah glanced up at him, a thought flashing through her mind. ‘He doesn’t eat steak? Then who was it that had breakfast with me this morning?’

It finally dawned on Daisy. Barnaby simply had no intention of accepting anything she offered.

“Alright, let’s get you to the lounge for a quick check-up.” Daisy rose, picking up the medical kit that had been resting nearby.

She was referring to the same private annex where Hannah had earlier retrieved the chair.

It was a spacious room furnished with a sofa, a bed, and even an en suite bathroom, truly a well-appointed

retreat.

Whether their withdrawal was for medical purposes or something less clinical remained ambiguous.

‘Surely even Barnaby can see through this,’ Hannah thought, observing the scene with silent skepticism.

Yet to her astonishment, Barnaby promptly stood and followed Daisy into the private room.

‘Shadow was right about men,’ Hannah thought, watching them disappear into the lounge. ‘They’re all the

same.’

Inside the private room, Daisy closed the door and turned to face Barnaby’s imposing figure.

For a wild moment, she fought the impulse to close the distance between them and wrap her arms around his broad shoulders.

“What exactly did Edmund send you here for?” Barnaby’s voice cut through the silence like ice, snapping Daisy back to reality.

“He’s concerned about your health,” she managed. “He asked me to examine you.”

The truth was far less charitable. Edmund suspected Barnaby was hiding a serious medical condition and wanted it verified.

“Indeed?” Barnaby gave a cold smile. “Then you may return and tell him his concern is misplaced. My health is perfectly fine.”

This wasn’t mere pride. If the Thole family discovered his actual condition, the consequences would be

severe.

Daisy’s smile tightened. So he hadn’t followed her here for a private moment, only to establish boundaries.

As he turned to leave, she moved swiftly to block his path. “You have feelings for her, don’t you?”

Barnaby looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Even an onlooker could see how he felt about Hannah, yet Hannah herself remained oblivious.

That brief, unguarded glance sent a thrill through Daisy, but it also confirmed her suspicion. Barnaby truly was in love with Hannah.

“Let me help you win her over.” Daisy offered.

“What’s in it for you?” Barnaby asked.

‘You.’ The word flashed through Daisy’s mind, but she maintained her gracious smile.

She said, “Nothing at all. We’re friends. Your happiness is what matters to me.”

“Don’t ever say things like that to me again.” Barnaby sidestepped her.

Daisy stood bewildered. “Why?”

“Can’t stand fake people.” With that, Barnaby walked out and slammed the door.

Daisy stood rooted to the spot, her cheeks burning as if she’d been slapped across the face.

All her efforts to cultivate the image of Brynlock’s most elegant socialite had just been dismissed as hypocrisy.

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