Honey, You're a Billionaire?

"Harriette..." Anastasia called out, stopping Harriette in her tracks.

Harriette turned around, meeting Anastasia's gaze. For a fleeting moment, she thought she caught a hint of mockery in Anastasia's gaze, but when she blinked, all she saw was the familiar timid, downtrodden expression she had come to expect. "Must've been my imagination," she thought. After all, Anastasia had never been worth her attention.

"Is there anything else?" she asked with a note of arrogance as she raised her chin. It was as if she was addressing an insignificant insect. Unfazed, Anastasia replied softly, "No. It's nothing."

Harriette frowned, irritation mounting as she studied Anastasia's face, finding only a meek submission that fueled her disdain. Had the hour not been late and Miles' room nearby, she would have loved to teach Anastasia a lesson right then and there. With a derisive huff, she turned and left the room without bothering to close the door.

Anastasia listened as Harriette's footsteps faded into her own room down the hall. A cold, mirthless smile crept across Anastasia's face as she reached out to close her door.

"How long could an impostor maintain the facade of the Young family's esteemed daughter?" she wondered. A bitter chuckle escaped her lips. "The higher you climb, the harder you'll fall..."

Returning to her bed, Anastasia found sleep elusive. Troubling dreams plagued her throughout the night. She saw the real Harriette-sometimes cold and distant like in their childhood, sometimes apologetic, uttering a soft "I'm sorry". However, the dream soon turned dark as the true Harriette transformed into the imposter, tearing off her disguise to reveal Kelly's menacing face.

"Anastasia, now that you know my secret, you must die!" Kelly hissed.

Gasping for air, Anastasia bolted upright, her skin slick with sweat and fear's icy grip constricting her throat. She fought to regain her composure, but panic clung to her like a shadow.

"No. This won't do..." she thought. She had initially planned to watch the chaos unfold from the sidelines, but things had changed.

Although she had already sent Jonathan the message revealing that Harriette was actually Kelly, she couldn't help but worry that Jonathan wouldn't believe her.

After all, the real Harriette, Jonathan, and Miles had shared a close bond, and if Miles was convinced that the impostor was truly Harriette, there was a chance that Jonathan might be swayed as well.

The realization made Anastasia even more restless. Sleep was impossible now, and she felt parched after all the tossing and turning. Grabbing her empty cup, she decided to go downstairs for some water.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

The kitchen was dimly lit by the soft light of dawn creeping through the windows. She didn't bother turning on the lights as she quietly filled her cup, but as she lifted her gaze, a figure by the large window caught her attention. Startled, Anastasia nearly gasped aloud but quickly regained her composure upon recognizing the familiar silhouette.

"Miles?" she called out hesitantly.

When she didn't receive any response, she approached the figure with her cup of water in hand. Miles stood there staring at the sky. Holding his own cup of water, he seemed lost in his thoughts. "Should I tell Miles the truth about Harriette that she's really Kelly?" The notion crossed Anastasia's mind briefly before she hastily dismissed it.

She couldn't do it for she was sure that Miles wouldn't believe her. If she revealed her suspicions, she would only risk alienating him further. But perhaps she could plant the seed of doubt subtly enough to pique his curiosity. With furrowed brows, she took a sip of water, feeling her dry throat relax ever so slightly. She finally mustered the courage to speak.

"Miles, have you noticed anything strange about Harriette?"

Miles, who had been gazing out the window, suddenly stiffened. His piercing gaze locked onto Anastasia, making her heart skip a beat.

"What do you mean?" Miles asked slowly.

Now that she had broached the subject, Anastasia had to continue. "Well... it's just that...ever since Harriette returned, she seems different from before," she explained tentatively.

"So, even Anastasia had noticed something amiss," Miles thought bitterly. He couldn't believe how blind he had been.

From the moment Harriette returned, he had never doubted her identity. He had fully believed she was the real Harriette. But now, even Anastasia had sensed something strange about the woman.

His thoughts drifted back to that day

at Aurora Crest. "Had Etta really gotten lost? Or was it a deliberate act meant to separate me from

Rosie? it hadn't been for Elia net

If

who had accompanied Rosie-up the mountain, what could have

happened to her? Would she have

faced danger alone?"

The more Miles thought about it, the more guilt gnawed at him. If harm had befallen Rose that day, he knew he could never have forgiven himself.

"Thankfully, nothing happened..." he mused.

Miles was relieved that Jonathan was level-headed. Considering Jonathan's instructions, now was not the time to act rashly.

Despite his burning resentment toward the imposter Harriette, he understood the importance of maintaining appearances. He had to suppress his anger and continue protecting Harriette, just as he always had.

Miles' lips curled into a cold smile. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to, Anastasia."

Anastasia was taken aback. "What? Miles..." she tried to explain herself, but Miles didn't give her the chance.

"I know Etta's return has stripped you of your title as the eldest daughter of the Young family, leaving you humiliated. But that title was never yours to begin with. It has always belonged to Etta," Miles said, his tone growing sharper.

"For years, you've enjoyed the

privileges that should've been hers.

Instead of being grateful, you harbor resentment now that she's back. Let me make one thing clear, Anastasia." His gaze narrowed, holding a warning. "If you dare to slander Etta again or lay a hand on her, I won't hesitate to make you regret it."

With those words, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the dining room, leaving Anastasia standing in stunned silence.

As the shock wore off, she let out a bitter laugh. How foolish she had been to expect anything else.

Miles' devotion to Harriette ran too deep for him to question her identity. He refused to entertain even the slightest possibility that the Harriette before him was an imposter. His trust in her was absolute.

"I guess this route is a dead end," Anastasia thought, sighing in disappointment. Just then, she heard a familiar raspy voice from outside the dining room.

"Miles, you're awake, too? I couldn't sleep either. Come on. Let's go to the rooftop and watch the city come alive, just like we used to when we were kids."

Anastasia's heart sank at the sound of the fake Harriette's voice. She couldn't help but wonder if the imposter had overheard her conversation with Miles. Miles responded in a low, somber tone, and Anastasia watched as the two made their way upstairs.

As they did, Harriette glanced in her direction, her gaze filled with a triumphant gleam as if to say, "See? No matter what you do, Miles will always stand by me". Harriette then turned to Miles, her gaze once again filled with the familiar warmth she wore so well in front of him.

She had heard every word Anastasia

had uttered in the dining room. A surge of pride welled up in her. Her performance had been flawless, and

she had Miles wrapped her

finger. He defended her

V

unconditionally, with no inkling that the woman he doted on wasn't his real sister at all.