The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

Dane merely pursed his lips, his response almost instantaneous and without hesitation: "Impossible."

He had come this far, even gone as far as to involve the prestigious Shepherd family; there was simply no turning back now-not that it was up to him anymore.

For from the moment he accepted that significant offer from Presley, his fate was sealed with no avenue for retreat.

Should he abandon his course now, he would not only be offending Presley.

Dane composed himself, no longer wishing to hear his father's mood-dampening words.

Standing up, he made his stance clear, "I don't wish to argue about this anymore. No amount of talking will change things. Presley has the medicine. If we want to save James, then let Mirabella exchange the recipe for it."

Dane spoke with a cold voice.

Nikolai opened his mouth to speak, but seeing Dane's determination, he understood no words could sway him. He stopped himself, closed his eyes, but then seemed to remember something just as Dane was about to leave, calling out to him once more.

"One last question, does James's sudden illness have anything to do with you?"

Dane's fingers curled slightly as he turned to look at Nikolai, his expression serene, revealing nothing, "No, crossing James brings us no benefits. His condition... it's just unfortunate timing, giving Presley an opportunity to demand the recipe."

Nikolai looked at Dane's calm demeanor, unsure whether to believe him or to deceive himself. Finally, he could only say bitterly, "Dane, I hope you never come to regret your choices."

"Never will." Dane clenched his fists, his face stern.

With that, he strode out of the living room.

Nikolai slumped onto the couch, the discomfort in his chest nothing compared to his disappointment in Dane.

If only he hadn't come to Riverdale, perhaps things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

**

The next day, after a night of contemplation, Nikolai sent a message to Mirabella.

Knowing she would still be in class, he directly arranged to meet her at a restaurant near her school for lunch.

Mirabella thought Nikolai wanted to discuss James's health, so she went there at half-past eleven.

Nikolai had reserved a private dining room.

noticiner the waiter left, Mirabella,

noticing Nikolai's poor complexion, asked, "Are you feeling unwett? Shall

I check your pulse?" fo

Nikolai just smiled and waved his hand, "It's nothing, just didn't sleep well last night."

After observing Nikolai for a moment, Mirabella finally said, "You really shouldn't worry too much about James's condition."

At the mention of James's health, a bitter smile appeared on Nikolai's lips. He didn't wait for Mirabella to continue, "Today, I wanted to tell you that there might be a cure for James's condition."

Mirabella's fingers paused on her coffee cup, surprised. She waited for him to continue.

"There's a special medicine in Presley's possession that could potentially cure James..." Nikolai paused, then relayed the rumors about the Stevenson family to Mirabella.

After listening, Mirabella looked somewhat amused, her casual tapping on the table ceasing, "You mean to say, Presley knows someone from the Stevenson family?"

Nikolai, recalling the implications of Dane's words the night before, nodded, "It seems so."

Mirabella burst into laughter, finding it amusing that so many people were pretending to have connections to the main party, which had never shown itself. Quite interesting, indeed.noveldrama