Chapter 3Birthright Claim? Grab a Number First

The next afternoon, I got a call from Isabella Thorne.

The moment I answered, I was greeted by her unrestrained laughter.

“Hey, Adrian. I hear you’ve got a new model in stock. Is this one any fun?”

I leaned back on the living room sofa, turning a page in my economics journal, and gave a noncommittal, “Mm.”

“MIT kid. He’s got… energy.”

“Oh, a real brainiac, is he?” Isabella’s tone grew even more amused.

“I have to come see this. Same old address? I’m on my way.”

She hung up before I could reply.

Half an hour later, Isabella’s flashy red convertible pulled into the driveway.

She swept into the living room, a disappointed look on her face when she didn’t immediately spot her target.

“Where is he? Are you hiding him?”

“Upstairs. Probably still studying how to be a proper long-lost son.”

Isabella burst out laughing.

“My father mentioned something about it. Said he put on a whole waterworks show at the dinner table and your parents didn't even blink?”

“More or less,” I said, setting my book down.

“My father told him he was loud, and my mother told him to learn some table manners.”

“Priceless,” Isabella said, slapping her thigh.

“What an idiot, can’t even follow the script. Did he really think wealthy parents are all doting simpletons who revolve around their children?”

As we were talking, footsteps descended the stairs.

Leo had changed his clothes, but his expression was still sour. It seemed the complete dismantling of his worldview last night was still sinking in.

“So this is him…” Isabella said, drawing out the words.

“Yes. Leo.”

Leo strode down the remaining steps and planted himself in front of us, his eyes fixed on Isabella.

“You must be Adrian’s girlfriend, right?”

【Here it comes! The classic ‘drive a wedge between them’ move!】

【Go on, girl! Put him in his place!】

Isabella simply raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.

Seeing her silence, Leo thought he’d struck a nerve and grew bolder.

“I’m telling you, you should leave him while you can. He’s nothing but a fraud, an imposter who’s stolen my place. He doesn’t deserve you. Once my parents kick him out, he’ll be nothing. Stick with me, and the entire Hebert fortune will be ours.”

I took a slow sip of my tea.

Isabella smiled, a dazzling, cutting expression.

“Kid, have you been reading so many of those trashy novels that your brain has turned to mush?”

Leo’s face flushed a deep red. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Isabella said, rising to her feet and stepping toward him, her height, amplified by her heels, giving her an overwhelming presence, “First, I’m not his girlfriend.”

“Second, even if he is a ‘fraud,’ the business models and financial strategies inside his head are worth infinitely more than your little acceptance letter.”

“And third, and most importantly,” she said, wagging a perfectly manicured finger at him.

“You waltz in here making promises when you don’t even know who’s really in charge of this family? A lightweight like you isn’t even worthy of shining his shoes.”

With a disdainful snort, Isabella turned and sat back down beside me.

“Now run back upstairs,” she added without looking at him. “You’re an eyesore.”

Leo glared at me, his chest heaving, before turning and stomping back up the stairs.

Silence returned to the living room.

Isabella swirled the coffee in her cup, turning to me with a wry smile.

“This is the opponent you’re playing against? It’s almost too easy. A bit boring, don’t you think?”

I looked at her, adjusted my glasses, and smiled back.

She was right. Leo was just an appetizer.

But no matter what other monsters or fools were waiting in the wings, one thing was certain.

In this chaotic game that was only just beginning, Isabella Thorne was the one ally I could trust completely.