The True Heiress: Legend Mode novel Chapter 209

She hadn't even taken two steps before Morgan emerged from the shadows and knocked her unconscious with a single, precise strike from his cane.

Two operatives stepped out from the darkness, dragged Sylvie away, and stripped her of her clothes to hand over to Juno.

The entire operation took less than ten minutes. Once Juno had changed and perfected the disguise, she headed out to find the driver Balfour had actually hired.

Before she stepped away, Morgan stopped her. Standing in the heavy darkness, his expression was entirely unreadable. "Stay safe."

"I will."

With that, she slung the backpack over one shoulder and walked out of the alley. About thirty meters down the road, she spotted a parked sedan. Hearing her approach, the middle-aged driver immediately stamped out his cigarette, rushed over to take her bag, and opened the door for her.

Juno slid into the backseat and closed her eyes to rest.

By the time they pulled up to the Sloane family residence, it was already eleven o'clock.

Juno stepped out of the car. A sharp, freezing wind blew past, chilling her to the bone. She had only taken two steps toward the house when Balfour strode rapidly toward her. A second later, a thick coat—still radiating his body heat—was draped over her shoulders.

He gently took her hands and tucked them directly into his coat pockets.

The moment her hands slipped inside, her fingers brushed against activated pocket warmers.

In that instant, the biting cold of the night completely vanished.

Balfour was a man whose tenderness was etched into his very bones. When Juno had read his file, those details were just sterile, clinical words on a page. Now, seeing him in person, she truly understood what it meant to be cared for.

Balfour looked down at her. "I had an emergency today. I'm sorry I'm late."

The second he finished his work, he had sped straight to the Sloane estate.

Juno offered him a sweet smile. "It's okay."

As she looked up, she met Balfour's gaze and noticed him staring at her intensely. It was a look layered with deep expectation and sharp observation.

What was he expecting?

And what was he trying to observe?

She lowered her head, acting perfectly shy and timid. "Is something wrong?"

Juno replicated Sylvie's innocent demeanor flawlessly.

Balfour snapped out of his daze and chuckled softly. "It's nothing."

The petty jealousy was glaringly obvious. This girl had a massive crush on Balfour.

Juno stood her ground, her long eyelashes lowered slightly, her stunning features devoid of any emotion.

Scarlett took a step closer, getting right in her face. "Since you clearly lack brain cells, I'll say it one last time. Stay away from Balfour. I am the only one worthy of standing by his side."

Hearing that, Juno actually let out a genuine laugh.

Scarlett froze.

Juno looked up, her eyes curving into crescents, though there was zero warmth in them. "You look like an abstract painting by Picasso. Where do you get the delusional confidence to think you're actually worthy of him?"

Scarlett's eyes went wide with absolute shock, completely paralyzed by the sheer disrespect.

What did she just say?!

Did she just call her face an abstract painting?!!

Juno reached out. Scarlett instinctively tried to dodge, but she wasn't nearly fast enough.

Juno's hand clamped onto the back of her neck like a vice, forcefully tilting Scarlett's head up. "I'm keeping Balfour. I dare you to try and stop me."