The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

James gave a nod and a curt, “Hi, Mr. Nikolai.”

“Hello,” Mirabella greeted, her voice carrying the cadence of politeness.

With a nod and a brief smile, Nikolai took a few steps inside before pointing to Owen and Johnny, who were lounging on the couch and introduced them, “James, meet Owen. And that’s his aide, Johnny.”

Turning to Owen and Johnny, he continued, “Guys, this is James. And you know Mirabella so no need for formalities there.”

Owen, who had been undergoing some restorative care over the past few days, looked less pallid than before. His once gaunt cheeks now had a hint of fullness to them. Though still lean, his commanding presence was unmistakable–like that of a seasoned politician. NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

He rose to his feet and approached James with an easy stride, hand outstretched, and a welcoming smile on his face. “James, pleasure to meet you.”

James, with sharp and discerning eyes reminiscent of a hawk, gave Owen a cursory glance. His chiseled features remained impassive as he merely nodded in acknowledgment, opting not to shake hands.

Owen, undeterred by the lack of physical greeting, casually lowered his hand and turned to Mirabella, his voice tempered with warmth, “Ms. Mirabella.”

Mirabella had a fairly good impression of Owen, mostly because he was known for settling his dues without fuss. After a brief appraisal, she remarked, “Mr. Owen, you seem to be on the mend quite nicely.” Her tone was informal, hinting at a comfortable rapport. James‘ eyes flickered with a hint of interest. “Thanks in part to you,” Owen replied with a chuckle.

Despite his recent illness and the slight pallor that clung to his features, Owen’s good looks and composure, coupled with his affable demeanor, could easily give off a laid–back vibe were it not for the business at hand.

Mirabella nodded nonchalantly and casually waved her hand. “No big deal.”

Yet, considering today’s unexpected reunion, she quickly added after a brief pause, “I’ll check your pulse later, just to be sure.”

Before Owen could agree, Johnny, who had been edgy the whole time, interjected with panicked urgency, “Ah… no need to trouble yourself, Ms. Mirabella! I reckon Mr. Owen’s all better now. Really, it’s not necessary!”

Owen looked puzzled. Johnny turned to him, his expression stern. “Sir, you must trust Ms. Mirabella’s expertise. She did say if you followed her prescription to the letter, you’d be in the clear!”

A single check–up costing a seven–figure sum could drain even a substantial fortune!

Owen pressed his fingers to his temple and murmured, “Would you just zip it?”

Johnny slunk away to the side, his lips sealed. No more objections.

Clearing his throat, Owen turned back to Mirabella. “…I apologize for the spectacle.” Mirabella’s eyebrows arched as she simply remarked, “Understandable. You’ve learned your lesson and don’t want to waste money unnecessarily.”

Johnny inwardly winced. Thanks for the backhanded compliment!

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Before long, Nikolai beckoned everyone to take their seats. The meal had been pre–arranged, and Nikolai signaled Asher to inform the club’s staff that they were ready to proceed with dinner. Asher excused himself to convey the message.

Mirabella sat next to James, typically quiet, mostly listening to Nikolai and Owen chat. She rarely spoke unless Nikolai engaged her in conversation, to which she would briefly respond. She kept a low profile.

As the dinner conversation meandered, Johnny suddenly remembered someone missing, “Isn’t Dane around today?” He looked at Nikolai, curious.