Under the Heiress' Facade

If it weren't for Douglas' loyalty to Bernard, Queenie wouldn't have greeted him with such a smile.

Queenie glanced at the empty coffee cup on the table and then toward the door of the nearby private room where Douglas was seated.

"Mr. Killian is also here, isn't he?"

Douglas frowned.

"Is there something I can help you with, Mrs. Gaskell?"

"I was just looking for Mr. Killian. I hope he can attend Gaskell Corporation's annual banquet," Queenie said as she turned around.

Her assistant immediately pulled out an invitation from her bag.

"Is this the room? I'll go in to see Mr. Killian."

She was about to knock on the door, but Douglas stopped her.

"You can't go in, Mrs. Gaskell."

At that moment, the door to the private room opened.

Hera stepped out and caught sight of Queenie and Douglas. Her beautiful brows immediately furrowed.

Likewise, when Queenie saw Hera, her smile vanished instantly. She glanced inside before the door closed again and saw another person, but it was clearly not Bernard.

She wondered why Hera was there.

The message she received said Hera had fled deep into the mountains but was promptly discovered by the police, narrowly saving her life. Hera was supposed to be receiving treatment at Lensvale Hospital.

However, Hera didn't look like she was narrowly saved. She looked completely fine.

Queenie also thought that Shaun was injured. She wondered why he would still care for Hera if that were true.

Queenie didn't believe that Hera, a country bumpkin, had any special talents, so she glanced at Douglas. Zyler had told her before that Hera had hooked up with Douglas.

It would be possible if it were Douglas.

She had heard before that Bernard wasn't very good at managing the company, so he gave his subordinates considerable authority.

Hera's gaze shifted between Queenie and Douglas, and then she chuckled.

"Mrs. Gaskell, did you come all this way for some fresh air? It must have been stifling being cooped up for so long, huh?"

Hera's remark hit Queenie where it hurt, causing the latter to wish she could crush Hera to dust.

Through gritted teeth, she said, "I came to see if you were still alive."

"Don't worry. When the Grim Reaper comes for someone, they'll take the person who will die first. If you've got the time, you'd better run around a bit more," Hera said coldly and left the café.

Douglas immediately caught up with her.

Queenie suddenly realized that Hera was mocking her age. She gritted her teeth and glared viciously at the backs of the departing pair.

She thought, "Does Hera think she

can seduce people and strut around Norburgh like she owns it? Does she really believe Douglas can protect her? She has no idea how things could end for her."

...

Once outside the café, Douglas quickly hailed a cab.

After they got in, he asked, "Ms. Youngworth, are you heading back to Skyview Heights or the Everett residence?"

"Where's Bernard?" Hera countered without answering.This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Douglas was stunned for a second. He was unsure if it was his imagination, but Hera seemed slightly different that day than usual.

"He's at the office."

"Take me there," Hera said.

Douglas was taken aback. Bernard was indeed at the office but at XS Corporation, not Shuttle Ventures. Directly taking her there would expose Bernard's identity.

"Bernard is currently in a meeting, so

he might not be able to see you. And he has to attend an event after the meeting. How about we go back to Skyview Heights first? Tiramis must be missing you," he suggested tactfully.

Hera frowned lightly. The more Douglas tried to keep her away, the more suspicious it seemed.