Under the Heiress' Facade

Hera remained silent.

“Quite the assertive stance there, Class A’s homeroom teacher.” A pleasant male voice echoed from the office doorway. Turning around, the three noticed that a man had silently appeared at the entrance.

Bernard stood tall in a well–fitted black suit with neatly styled hair. He had an anthoritative presence that commanded attention.

His gold–rimined glasses softened his stem look and added a touch of sophistication

Hera couldn’t shake off the feeling of déjà as she looked at Bernard. It was like she’d encountered him somewhere before…

Their eyes met His sharp gaze bore into hers from behind his glasses, intense and unwavering

“Professor Klan, It’s an honor to have you here,” Robert greeted with a warm smile, his tone a blend of flatteryand respect.

Killian…

The mention of the sumame trippered a memory in Hera’s mind. Suddenly, a youthful face from her past flashed before her eyes, blending with the features of the man standing before her.

It was him!

Hera locked eyes with Bernard, feeling the weight of his stare and noticing his faint smile. She couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her eyelashes before quickly looking away. Her hands censed into fists by her side.

Did he know who she was?

Bernard caught every small movement Hera made. He turned his icy gaze toward Melanie. “What’s wrong? Can’t even the Dean of Students get you to follow instructions?

Melanie felt his eyes on her, and her anger slowly shatted into embarrassment

Bernard noticed her!

And it was all because of Hera that Melanie was embarrassed in front of him!

At just 24 years old, Bernard had already become a professor. He was good–looking and in great shape. As the future heir to the Killian family fortune, he was wealthy and wielded significant influence

He was the ideal man that all the female teachers at Cavenridge dreamed of.

“Professor Killan, she’s just a village girl with poor grades. She’s hoping that being adopted by the Everetts will help her get into Class A

“But considering her past academic performance, 1 suprested she set her sights on Class Kinstead. Isn’t that right-

Melanie was in the middle of explaining when Bernard’s cold stare cut her oft. Her voice trailed off, and she fell silent.

Glaring resentfully at Hera, Melanie couldn’t shake the feeling that Hera was nothing but a flirt Hera hadn’t officially joined the academy yet, but she was already trying to win Berard over!

Robert, ever perceptive, smoothly interjected with a smile, “Ms. Youngworth, regarding the class-

Hera tried her best to disregard Bernard’s looming presence. She shifted her cold gaze toward Robert. “Where do I go to sit for the entrance exam?

“You’re thinking of sitting for the entrance exam 17 Robert exclaimed in surprise.

Despite Andrew’s arrangement for Hera to transfer to Cavenridge and Bernard’s protective stance toward her, Robert harbored the same skepticism as Melanie.

Robert doubted that someone from a rural school like Hera could accomplish much

“Sure, you can head over to Room 101 in Classroom Building a for the entrance exam,” Melanie said with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

“And if you can’t get into Class A, you’ll have to kneel in front of everyone at the flag–raising ceremony and apologize to prove I was right all along! Melanie added.

After Hera embarrassed Melende in front of Bernard, Melanie vowed to retum the favor by humiliating Hera in front of the entire school.

Hera gazed up at Melanie, her expression devoid of emotion and her eyes piercingly cold

Believing Hera to be intimidated, Melante sneered, “What’s wrong? Scared? You should be Junior year Class A isn’t a place just anyone can get into-

Η

“What if I make it in? Hera interrupted calmly Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Melanie smirked “If you manage to get in, I’ll kneel and apologize to you in front of everyone at the flag–raising ceremony!”

“okay,”

depths.

“Hera responded before calmly naming away, only to meet Beard’s intense gaze. His eyes were mesmerizing, akin to cosmic black holes that polled everyone into their

Hera paused briefly before continued walking away. She smoothly walked around him and quickened her pace.

Melanie was surprised by how quickly Hera agreed. She glared vehemently at Hera’s aloof demeanor and was convinced it was merely a mask of composure.

Hera would likely regret her decision later, especially after miserably failing the exam.

As if suddenly snapping back to reality, Robert asked, “Ms. Miller, why would you make such a bet with a student?”

He then turned to Bernard “Professor Killian, sorry for the miss. Please, take a seat and have some coffee”

Berard lifted his hand to decline. “Till pass on the coffee, but I’m up for a bet.”

“Professor Killian, what kind of het do you want to make Robert looked surprised.

Bernard looked toward wher Hera had exited. “Let’s bet on whether Ms. Youngworth will get assigned to Class A. If she does, you’ll agree to switch the homeroom teacher for

Melanie had lasen basking in her smigress just morets ago, but now she felt like she’d been dealt a devastating blow.

It seemed like her teaching career was on the brink of collapse…