Chapter 3

Clara, always straightforward, couldn't stand Leah's remarks about me.

"Leah, Natalie never pretended anything. We all know her father is the Wilcox family's butler. But you, you just showed up acting like you're the Wilcox family's real heiress—who knows if that's even real?" Clara shot back.

Leah's face turned bright red with anger when everyone started doubting her. She yanked me over, pointed right at me, and demanded, "Just tell them already. Am I the real Wilcox heiress or not?"

"Clara, Leah really is the Wilcox family's daughter they just found," I said.

Leah raised her chin smugly. "Hear that? Even Natalie admits it—I'm the real deal, the true Wilcox heiress. Now you all know exactly who you should be friends with, huh?"

Clara and the others just rolled their eyes at Leah and walked right over to me.

Clara handed me the red velvet cake. "Let's get out of here. She's acting crazy. I hope it's not contagious."

They pulled me along toward the classroom.

Leah couldn't believe that after proving her identity, everyone still acted this way towards her.

Fuming, she stamped her foot and yelled at us, "I'm the real Wilcox heiress. You should be trying to cozy up to me, not running with some butler's daughter. You'll regret this. Just wait!"

Her voice was so loud that everyone at the school gate could hear every word.

All of us just wanted to disappear from embarrassment. We hurried off, faces burning.

The other passersby glanced at Leah with strange looks.

But Leah didn't think there was anything wrong with these looks; she simply felt like she was in the spotlight.

With her chin high, she marched into the school with a showy swagger, like a peacock flaunting its feathers.

Once we got to the classroom, Clara couldn't help but complain, "Leah really is the Wilcox family's daughter?"

I nodded.

"But she doesn't seem anything like them. The Wilcox family is known for being refined and polite. How could they have a daughter like Leah?" Clara muttered puzzledly.

I just shook my head and told her to focus on getting ready for class.

Seeing I didn't want to talk about it, Clara let it go and left the whole thing behind.

But to my shock, as soon as the bell rang, the homeroom teacher, Savannah York walked in with Leah at her side.

I felt like my whole world just went dark. Seriously, was there no escape from this crazy girl?

Savannah quickly introduced Leah as our new classmate and asked her to give a self-introduction.

Leah strutted up to the front, chest out, looking out over the class with a self-satisfied smile.

"Maybe you haven't heard of me yet, but from today on you better remember—I'm Leah Wilcox, the true heiress of the Wilcox family, the richest folks in town," she announced.

Her words landed like a bombshell. Even the students who'd had their heads down reading couldn't help but look up at Leah, totally stunned.

Savannah was thrown off for a moment before she coughed and reminded, "Leah, let's keep it normal, alright?"

Leah made a hand gesture to Savannah, signaling her to back off.

"I was lost for eight whole years before my family finally found me. You all don't know me before, so I don't blame you.

"But now, get it straight: I'm the real Wilcox heiress, not Natalie, who's just the butler's daughter. So better watch who you're trying to cozy up to," Leah declared.

Everyone in the room—students and teacher alike—bristled at Leah's words.

Clara slammed her book on the desk. "Are you done talking, crazy bitch?"

Someone else scoffed, "What do you mean, 'cozy up'? Who exactly are we supposed to be sucking up to, huh?"

Savannah shot Leah a fierce glare, her expression thunderous. "Leah, everyone in this school is equal. We don't care who your parents are. Leave that kind of social climbing outside the school."

The room was buzzing with complaints from the other students and Savannah's harsh words.

Leah went red with embarrassment, then sent a nasty glare my way. "Don't tell me you've all let Natalie, the fake heiress, buy you off," she snapped.

Everyone just stared at Leah, thinking she was totally ridiculous.

Savannah wanted to cut Leah off and make her step down.

However, Leah stubbornly refused to budge. "Come on, everyone knows Bridgeport Academy is all about building connections with the right people. Don't tell me you all bought into Natalie being the Wilcox family's favorite, and that's why you've been shutting me out?"

Leah threw back her head, sneering, "Listen up—my parents have only ever doted on me. Now that I'm back, Natalie's nothing but a stand-in who's already been kicked out. So you'd better consider whether you want to keep being friends with her."

Savannah looked ready to explode. She marched straight to the podium and rapped it hard. "Leah, Bridgeport Academy is a school. You're here to study, not to make connections. Get off the podium and go find yourself an empty seat—now."

Leah's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she gawked at Savannah, totally incredulous. "I'm the heiress of the richest family in town. How dare you treat me like this?"