Chapter 21
\nReturn Of The Real Heiress: Secrets And Masks novel Chapter 21<\/p>\n
Chapter 21<\/p>\n
The Leach family buzzed with anticipation as Oliver called for everyone\u2019s attention in the living room. \u201cLet\u2019s make Cherise feel welcome,\u201d he said, his voice warm and inviting<\/p>\n
Yves, always eager to be the life of the party, spoke up first. \u201cHey,Cherise, it\u2019s Yves! We met in Yasvissa. You\u2019re even more beautiful up close,\u201d he said, blushing and scratching his head.<\/p>\n
Cherise offered a smile that could warm any heart, captivating everyone in the room for a moment.<\/p>\n
Sean chuckled at Yves, \u201cEasy now, you little rascal\u201d Then, turning to Cherise, he asked, \u201cCherise, do you still remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sean, once graceful, now limped. Cherise\u2019s brow creased as memories surfaced of him taking her to the amusement park and giving her presents when her parents were busy.<\/p>\n
It had been ages since their last meeting, back when he didn\u2019t yet have a family of his own, and the fact that he was now missing a leg made the change quite shocking<\/p>\n
\u201cSean, it\u2019s been so long\u201d Cherise said gently, her worry clear. \u201cHow are you coping?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m managing well, Cherise,\u201d Sean assured her, his pride evident. And let me introduce you to my wife, Heather, your aunt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHello, Heather Cherise acknowledged Heather with a warm smile, noting the complementary grace between Heather\u2019s soft elegance and Sean\u2019s refined presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cCherise, you\u2019re even more glowing than Yves painted you to be Heather complimented, her respect evident. \u201cYou\u2019re truly stunning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Heather, Cherise replied, then stepped over to hug Evelyn, who was standing nearby with tears welling up in her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvelyn, I\u2019m back, Cherise whispered, her voice filled with emotion.<\/p>\n
Evelyn, overcome with emotion, could only manage a nod as tears flowed freely down her cheeks.<\/p>\n
Cherise remembered the tender care Evelyn had given her during childhood sicknesses, and she recognized who her true family was<\/p>\n
Surveying her family\u2013her grandfather in a wheelchair, one uncle with a missing leg, and the loss of the other uncle\u2014 Cherise was hit with a mix of feelings.<\/p>\n
A firm resolve flashed in her eyes, unnoticed amidst the gathering.<\/p>\n
The moment was interrupted by Mandy\u2019s shrill voice. \u201cCherise is here! I was so busy with Shirley\u2019s piano practice for her big competition that I missed your arrival\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone\u2019s attention shifted to Mandy as she walked in with Shirley, one loaded with makeup, the other dripping with jewels.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this Cherise?\u201d Mandy questioned, scrutinizing Cherise\u2019s tall figure with a tinge of doubt.<\/p>\n
Cherise turned to face them, leaving Mandy and Shirley briefly shocked.<\/p>\n
Mandy\u2019s eyes flickered with malice, quickly masked. She simmered with resentment, thinking, \u2018Claire\u2019s daughter takes after her, all sultry charm, and Cherise outshines her mother in that department<\/p>\n
Shirley, her hands balled into fists, was overflowing with jealous How can a girl from a tiny town look so gorgeous? One day. I\u2019ll ruin that face; she vowed to herself.<\/p>\n
1\/2<\/p>\n
13:26<\/p>\n
Tue, Dec J<\/p>\n
Chapter 21<\/p>\n
Mandy, sensing Shirley\u2019s agitation, gently patted her hand to calm her.<\/p>\n
\u201cCherise, you\u2019ve turned out so elegant. It\u2019s impressive. The folks in Betrico will be envious of the Leach family, having two such beautiful young ladies,\u201d Mandy said, her grin as insincere at was broad.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave we met before?\u201d Cherise asked, her voice even.<\/p>\n
Mandy was caught off guard. \u201cAbsolutely, when your father welcomed me into the Leach family, you were still living in Betrico.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Cherise, I brought you many gifts when I became part of the family,\u201d Shirley chimed in, her tone sweet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember that, Cherise responded, her gaze sharp as it locked with Shirley\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Shirley, caught off guard by Cherise\u2019s cold gaze, yelped and nearly lost her balance, but Mandy steadied her in time.<\/p>\n
Murmurs of confusion rippled through the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I frighten you?\u201d Cherise questioned, moving closer to Shirley \u201cWhat has you so jittery?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not at all. I just thought I saw a mouse, Shirley replied, her voice shaky, trying to hide her unease.<\/p>\n
Inside, Shirley seethed. A girl from the backwoods got to me with a glance? Maybe I\u2019m just tired from all the piano practice. But I won\u2019t forget this, Cherise, just wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
SEND GIFT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-46","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/46","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}