Chapter 2The Nanny's Daughter Who Believed She Was the Real Heiress

My ears were practically blistered from Wesley’s complaints about Riley Harper.

Even though I knew Riley had always found excuses to be around him, things had definitely escalated recently.

“Natalie, she’s straight-up stealing my laundry to wash it, lingering outside my study after her late-night showers, and hanging around my classroom at school. I let that slide.

“But now she’s acting like some kind of doting grandma—always giving me food and staring at me with these unsettling, ‘loving’ eyes. I can’t take it! What is she up to, Nat?”

For the millionth time, Wesley poured out his frustrations. I couldn’t take it anymore either. I promised him that the next time I saw Riley, I’d talk to her.

My dad, ever the charitable boss, had enrolled Riley in Fairfield Academy—my high school—as a part of his “employee benefits” program. To top it off, he even put her in my class, saying it would help us “look out for each other.”

But in reality, I hadn’t seen Riley in days.

It felt like she was actively avoiding me. Whenever I was somewhere, she made sure to be anywhere else. Even at school, running into her felt like a game of chance.

Today, though, luck was on my side.

The moment I stepped into class, there she was—decked out in designer clothes, surrounded by a curious crowd.

“Riley, your outfit! And that bag—those must’ve cost a fortune!”

“Oh, not really,” Riley replied with a coy smile. “I just saw them while shopping and figured, why not?”

“Wow, I always thought you were, like, from a regular family like the rest of us. Turns out you’re some heiress or something?”

Riley gave a humble laugh. “What’s an heiress, really? What’s meant to be mine will always be mine. Unlike some people who force their way in and pretend—only to end up empty-handed.”

She cast a pointed glance my way.

One of my friends leaned closer to me, whispering, “Isn’t Riley your nanny’s kid? Do the Channings pay their staff that well? Or did her mom win the lottery? She looks like some tacky nouveau riche.”

“What’s she trying to say? Switched at birth? Her real parents are loaded?”

“Natalie, she’s obviously implying you. What’s her deal?”

I didn’t know what to say. More importantly, I had no idea where Riley was getting all this money.

Only a handful of classmates who’d visited my house knew Riley was the daughter of our live-in nanny. Everyone else had politely gone along with the assumption that she was just another student. Out of respect, no one ever brought up her actual situation.

“She seems… a little delusional,” I finally said.

That seemed like the most logical explanation.

I walked over and called out to her. “Riley, can we talk outside for a moment?”

Riley froze, clearly caught off guard. She’d been avoiding me for so long, she probably didn’t expect me to confront her outright.

After all, in her “switched heiress” stories, the imposter usually cowered and avoided eye contact with the rightful heiress.

The class erupted into hushed murmurs.

“What’s Natalie talking to Riley about? They’ve never interacted before.”

“Did you hear what Riley just said? Do you think Natalie and Riley were switched at birth?”

“Could Riley actually be the real Channing heiress?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. No one benefits from upsetting the Channing family.”

“But Riley’s been awfully close to Natalie’s brother, hasn’t she? Would actual siblings act that way?”

“Maybe Riley really was just brought home recently. Did you see her outfit? Looks like she’s trying way too hard.”

Ignoring the chatter, I strode out of the classroom, and Riley—after adjusting her clothes and regaining her composure—followed.

I turned to face her. “You know why I’m here, don’t you?”

Riley’s expression shifted into one of smug satisfaction.

“Since you already know you’ve taken my place, I suggest you come clean to your parents. If you’re lucky, I might even put in a good word for you. Maybe they’ll give you a decent severance package.”

My brain momentarily short-circuited.

“Riley, what nonsense are you talking about?”

She sneered. “Don’t act clueless, Natalie. You’ve known all along that I’m the rightful Channing heiress. You’ve had eighteen years of my life—eighteen years I suffered through for you. Natalie, you owe me, and you’ll never be able to repay it.”

“What proof do you have that you’re the Channing daughter?” I asked, my tone sharp.

“Proof?” Riley smirked, confidence radiating off her. “Oh, I’ve got proof. When my parents get back from their trip, the truth will come out. And when it does? You’ll be on your knees, begging. But I’ll make sure you and your pathetic mother are kicked out anyway.”

I was about to ask where she got the audacity when a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“Riley Harper!”

Margaret Harper stormed up to us, her face livid.

SMACK.

The sound of the slap echoed through the corridor.