The True Heiress's Return

1

Shakira took off her mask, not in a good mood. "It's me."

"Shakira?" Sean patted his chest, still anxious. "You scared me. I wondered how someone could sneak into my office."

"What are you looking at? I came in and you didn't even notice me."

Hearing Shakira's words, Sean responded automatically, "Nothing. I was just wondering how I could stand this high here fine but panic on a Ferris wheel." "Ferris wheel?" Shakira gave Sean a suspicious look. Realizing he had let things slip, Sean quickly covered his mouth.

Shakira had already guessed something, narrowing her eyes in a warning. "Sean, it seems you've got too much spare time lately, following me around."

Hearing this, Sean stopped pretending, and with hands on his hips retorted.

"I'm just worried you'll get deceived by some jerk. We promised to be friends for life, and here you are secretly dating men. Do you know how worried I've been about you?"

Sean's words showed genuine emotion. Shakira blinked and lowered her head. "Okay, I shouldn't have kept it from you. I thought it would be better to disclose it at the right time. Now that you know... Noticing the slight change on Sean's face as he tried to hide his curiosity, Shakira paused and thought, "That look... So, he doesn't know that the guy is Walter?'

Shakira changed her tone. "Then I won't say anything."

Sean was dumbfounded.

Realizing he'd been tricked, Sean gritted his teeth and said, "Are we good friends or not?" Shakira didn't answer directly but said, "Since you already know, what else is there to say?"

Sean was so frustrated that he stomped his feet angrily. "I don't know! I followed you all night, got close several times, but kept getting interrupted, and I can't find out who owns that car plate."

Shakira laughed happily. "That means the time hasn't come yet. When it does, you'll all know."

"Whatever. I've thought about it and come to terms with it. Few people in Crescentville can hide from me, just those powerful families.

"As long as you're not hanging around with that loser Joe, the player Calton, or the two from the Lopez family, I have no problem."

Hearing this, Shakira's eyes lit up. "I can understand why you don't want me to be with Joe, but why the other three?"

out whFrom NôvelDrama.Org.

"Calton and Benji are playboys who change girlfriends faster than shirts. I wonder if there are any socialite girls in Crescentville left untouched by them. I can't believe you'd be interested in either of them. As for Walter, that's a definite no." Sean said with absolute certainty, especially when he referred to Walter.

"Why? Because he's not in great health? Are you biased against him?" Shakira's tone was a bit sharp, acting defensive.

Sean shouted, "How could I? I've had my people find out that Walter's been hanging around with this young maid who was said to be a student at Crescentville University.

"The Lopez Group made an exception to hire interns from Crescentville University because of her."

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07:55 Fri, Nov 80.

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With his chin resting in his hand, Sean marveled at the juicy gossip, unaware of Shakira lowering her head.

He continued, "Walter has had no romantic rumors for many years. I used to respect him as a gentleman, but who knows he plays wild in private, even getting involved with his maid. "How could he ever be worthy of you? What? Why are you hiding your face?"

Shakira tucked her stray hair behind her car, glad for the makeup that kept Sean from noticing anything odd.

"Nothing."

Shakira cleared her throat. "Maybe there's some misunderstanding. After all, like you said, Walter has kept himself well-behaved all these years."

Sean changed to a knowing face. "You don't know men, Shakira. It's exactly because he's been holding back for so long that when he finally lets loose, it'll be way more explosive than usual. Anyway, he looks like a wild, untamable beast." Shakira was speechless and thought, 'Ever since we affirmed our relationship, Walter did seem to be letting loose. His gaze at night fixated on me with a predatory intensity, as if he wanted to devour me whole.

'Calling him a beast fits perfectly."

Shakira was lost in thought when Sean handed her the documents on the table. "Shakira, you didn't need to come here for these contracts. I can sign them for you. You've been so busy going to the hospital that you seem to lose weight." Sean looked at Shakira with tender concern.

Shakira took the documents, scanned them, and neatly signed her name.

"It's fine. I just came to get the studio keys from you."

Sean was thrilled and quickly handed Shakira the keys from the top drawer. "Shakira, you finally remembered you have a fashion design studio. I thought we wouldn't see your new design this year."

Previously, Shakira would finish the sketches and pass them to the studio designers to complete the product. This was the first time she came to ask Sean for the keys.

Sean thought, 'Even though those well-paid designers were talented, I felt their works lacked the grace and precision that Shakira's personal touch added. After all, only the designer knows best where the essence of the work is. Shakira smiled apologetically as she put the keys away. "Probably not this year, but maybe next year."

Having no energy to manage this birthday gift Sean had carefully prepared for her, Shakira felt a bit guilty.

Her reason for being involved in picking assistants for the studio was to reveal Yvette's ugly truth of plagiarizing her works, ensuring Yvette would never gain undeserved fame again.

"Why?" Sean was confused.

Shakira replied vaguely, "I have my plans." In fact, she came today out of self-interest. The Q&A session on the Ferris wheel sparked her inspiration.

-Walter was possessive and domineering. He liked unique and useful things. A custom-made gift would be the best birthday

present Shakira could think of.

Afraid it would madden Sean, Shakira decided not to tell him the truth, thinking, 'By next year, I'd compensate Sean by designing a piece of clothing for his birthday."

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At night, Jaslene took a thirty-minute herbal bath prescribed by Shakira. She felt rejuvenated after getting acupuncture at the hospital; the persistent aches buried in her bones had eased significantly. Jaslene thought, 'Matthew's disciple does deserve the reputation

Jaslene hoped the bath would bring her greater relief, at least enough to skip sleeping aids and painkillers tonight. However, just as she stepped out of the bathroom, she suddenly felt dizzy, and her heart started to race wildly. The next second, she coughed up a mouthful of dark blood.