The True Heiress: Legend Mode novel Chapter 272

It wasn't like Shayla owned the bathroom. What was the big deal if she went in?

She hadn't expected to walk in on Shayla holding a cigarette, brainwashing the impostor like some cult leader.

"You've been under a lot of stress lately, haven't you? I can tell. Honestly, I get pretty stressed out myself."

The woman took the bait. "So what do you do about it?"

She was being driven insane. She was failing her classes, couldn't get along with anyone, and her family was practically ignoring her.

Shayla offered her the cigarette. "Just take a drag. This stuff is magic. It'll make you forget all your problems."

The impostor stared at it, hesitating. "Really?"

Shayla shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah. Try it if you don't believe me."

"Isn't it addictive?" the woman asked, still wary. She had never smoked in her life.

Losing her patience, Shayla urged her on. "No, not if you just have one every now and then."

She pulled out a lighter. "Come on."

The woman placed it between her lips and leaned in to let Shayla light it.

That was it. Claire, who had been standing unnoticed by the door, finally exploded. She marched over, slapped the lighter so hard it flew a few yards away, then snatched the cigarette right out of the girl's mouth and tossed it.

She glared fiercely at Shayla. "What the hell are you doing?! What is wrong with you?! You're teaching her to smoke?!"

Shayla barely reacted. She just leaned against the stall door and scoffed. "She looked miserable, so I was helping her out. Besides, it's not like I forced her. She wanted to try it."

The impostor chimed in to agree. "Yeah, it was my choice."

Claire felt like her hair was going to catch fire from sheer rage. "Are you an idiot?! Can't you tell right from wrong?!"

The woman looked completely unfazed. "Calm down. It's not a big deal."

Claire was so furious she could barely speak. "I seriously don't give a fuck about you anymore!"

She didn't even know why she was bothering!

She spun around and stormed out.

The impostor looked utterly bewildered.

...

Now, I have zero obligation to help you for free."

The Obsidian Court backed and protected Juno, and Juno alone.

Not whatever that thing parading around in her body was.

With no other options and terrified of tarnishing Jumer's name, Margie pleaded, "Then what will it take to get Amanda to help with the designs?"

"Heh. Ma'am, the Obsidian Court's assistance comes at an astronomical price. Your entire family's fortune combined wouldn't be enough to cover it."

She enunciated every word with crushing finality.

Why did everyone seem to think the Obsidian Court was so easy to string along?

If it weren't for Juno, their people and influence wouldn't even be operating in Kingsland to begin with.

Margie's heart sank. Realizing this was a dead end, she ended the call.

She slumped over her desk, completely drained.

What was she going to do?