Chapter 16
Keith took note. It was clear Dora was well–liked. But he couldn’t help wondering, ‘When her classmates find out she is no longer the Hendrix family’s heiress, would they still treat her the same?‘
As they reached the gate of Ordstead Middle School, he saw students stepping out of high–end cars, dressed in tailor–made uniforms. Keith suddenly felt a little self–conscious about going any farther.
“You go on in. I’ll be here after school to pick you up,” he said.
Sensing his discomfort, Dora gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. “See you later.”
She had just said goodbye when a figure launched itself at her with a loud shout.
“Dora!”
The hug nearly knocked her off balance. The girl clung to her like a koala but was already eyeing the handsome guy standing beside her.
“Whoa, Dora–who’s the hottie?”
Dora clicked her tongue and introduced them without missing a beat. “This is my brother Keith.”
“Your brother?” Effie Merritt blinked, startled, before it clicked. ‘He must be the eldest son of the Acosta family,‘ she thought.
She straightened up immediately, her demeanor switching from playful to prim in an instant. “Hi, Keith! I’m Effie, Dora’s classmate–and currently her self–appointed bodyguard!”
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Dora tilted her head, genuinely confused. “Since when did you become my bodyguard?”
Effie leaned in and whispered, “Orders from Mr. Hodges. He’s worried someone might mess with you now that the whole ‘fake heiress‘ thing is out.”
Then she straightened up, casually slung an arm around Dora’s shoulder, and beamed at Keith. “Don’t worry, Keith! I’m a black belt in Taekwondo. As long as I’m around, no one’s laying a finger on Dora!”
Keith glanced at the lively girl with a pixie cut and gave her a warm, gentle smile. “Thank you for looking out for her.”
And just like that, Effie felt like a field of wildflowers had burst into bloom.
Seeing Effie slip into fan mode, Dora quickly waved her brother off. “Go on, Keith. You’ll be late for class.”
“Alright. Call me if you need anything.”
As Keith walked away, Effie was already sighing dreamily.
“Dora, does your brother have a girlfriend? Would you mind if I became your sister–in–law?”
He was so good–looking–basically on par with A–list celebrities. In all of the area’s elite circles, only Byron came close. Compared to him, the Hendrix brothers didn’t even register.
Dora sighed, half amused, half helpless. “Have you forgotten you’re already engaged? What–planning to make my brother your side piece?”
Effie clutched her chest dramatically. “Betrayal. Heartbreak. Cruel fate, why must you toy with me?”
“Cut the theatrics. Let’s go,” Dora said, glancing at her watch. “We’ve got
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fifteen minutes. I’m not risking detention because of you.”
She walked off toward the classroom, and Effie scampered after her.
11
“Hey, Dora, I heard the Acosta family ended up deep in debt after the bankruptcy. Didn’t they sell off everything just to pay it back? And now you’re living in some rundown apartment building. Be honest–are you really okay there? If not, take one of my villas. I’ll even throw in a driver and a housekeeper.”
Dora laughed. “If I were taking handouts, you think it’d be your turn to offer?”
Effie gasped. “Excuse me? Just because Byron spoils you doesn’t mean I can’t! I’m your ride–or–die bestie!”
As she spoke, she clung to Dora’s arm, rubbing her cheek playfully against her shoulder like a spoiled cat.
Dora shook her head, both exasperated and amused. “Alright, alright.
You win.”
‘Honestly, when did my friends all develop this need to ‘rescue‘ me? Every other day someone wants to give me a car, a house, a full staff. You’d think leaving the Hendrix family meant I am barely surviving,‘ she thought.
“By the way, how’s your vineyard coming along?” Dora asked.
Last month, Effie had opened a boutique winery and had invited her over multiple times. Dora had been tied up with other things and hadn’t made it yet.
Effie sighed dramatically. “It’s fine, I guess. That jerk Derrick said he had a new batch of wine for me to try, promised to bring it over. still no sign of him! I swear, when I see him later, I’m going to beat him senseless.”
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They chatted their way into the classroom–but the moment they stepped inside, the room fell dead silent. Everyone froze, staring at Dora like they’d just seen a ghost.
“What? What’s with those ‘she came back from the dead‘ faces?”
That cracked the tension, and the room burst into nervous laughter.
“Like any plastic surgeon would even dare touch Dora’s face!”
“Dora, is it true? The rumors, I mean.”
“So, the whole class knows already?” Dora asked casually as she walked to her seat, calm and unbothered.
“In our circle?” someone replied. “If one family sneezes, the whole city catches a cold.”
