The True Heiress's Return

With his eyes closed, Walter's senses were attuned to only hearing and touch at the moment. He could clearly hear the sound of leather creasing as the person next to him leaned closer. And when Shakira spoke, her breath lightly brushed past his car, giving him a ticklish feeling. His heart fluttered slightly. After a while, he opened his eyes, which held a deep darkness, mysterious and hard to read. He turned to look at her, his gaze like a pool, hinting at hidden depths within him.

"I followed you here, does that upset you?"

Shakira was taken aback, and her heart inexplicably skipped a beat. Walter's gaze was too intense; she instinctively sensed danger and turned her head away. "Why would it? It's just surprising, that's all."

She exhaled and chuckled, "But it's nice to get out for a bit. Mr. Lopez, you're either at home or at the office. It's great to come out and enjoy some fresh air!"

Walter scoffed, "The Eastlake Valley Estate is bigger than this mountain."

Shakira's heart was pounding. She knew Walter was always sarcastic; it was just his way. But why did she feel like he came here just for her?Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

When the thought emerged, Shakira felt like she was losing her mind! She quickly steadied her breathing to calm down, but her mind was in a whirl. She instinctively changed the topic in a casual tone. "I thought you'd agree to Berry's request immediately." The moment the words left her mouth, Shakira regretted it. She'd just got herself from one trap into another! As expected she heard Walter chuckle.

The leather seat was soft and springy. As Walter leaned in and rested his hand behind her, Shakira involuntarily slid a bit closer to him, her shoulder brushing against Walter's chest. It felt like she was enveloped in his arms, his warmth pressing close to her. They looked intimate.

Shakira's mind and heart were both all over the place!

"So, did you turn it down because of Berry?"

Shakira felt that her heart was about to leap out of her throat. She almost bit her own tongue. "Of course not!" She then added, "I'm not refusing because of Berry, but because it is not worth it for someone like them."

Walter let out a soft chuckle, his usually cool voice carrying an unexpected trace of fondness. "I knew it. You're not the type to take crap from anyone."

"Did you see everything?"

"I saw it all, clear as day."

me?" Once again, it was clear he had followed her all the way here. Shakira's heart raced faster, and she breathed more heavily. Driven by an indescribable emotion, she asked again, "So you saw them picking on me and came over just to support Amused by her shy gesture, Walter playfully ruffled her hair with his large hand. "Yes."

Shakira could hear the sound of her heartbeat thumping, and she couldn't quite comprehend why she was behaving so strangely today. She thought, 'Is it his unexpected appearance and his seemingly simple act of taking my side that caused me to act like this?' She then dispelled the idea. She felt she was strange today, and Walter was too. His repeated candid admissions of preference for her and his intense stare that said a thousand words when it fell on her, seemed to be laden with deep feeling.

The convoy reached the parking area at the mountaintop. Shakira suddenly woke up to the sound of Xanthe chatting outside. "We're here! I'm getting out first!" she exclaimed as she swung the door open and jumped out, not waiting for Walter's reply. +6

She ran away from Walter's arms like a little fox, but Walter wasn't upset. He thought about Shakira's reaction a moment ago and mused that sometimes, Benji's irritating ideas actually came in handy.

The wind at the mountaintop was strong. After a while, the warmth in Shakira's cheeks cooled down, and she felt much calmer.

It had been ages since someone treated her so kindly. The unexpected warmth of the moment had left her more than a little flustered. After all, no one other than Walter had ever gotten this close, almost in an intimate way. "Forget it, forget it, don't overthink it."

"Huh? Shakira, what are you thinking about?" Xanthe came over, overhearing the odd remark.

Shakira let out a deep breath, her expression returning to calm as she took the hot coffee from Xanthe's hand. "Nothing." "Haha, it's the unforgettable couple I ship-sweeter than a first love!" Xanthe grinned widely. Shakira nearly choked on her coffee. "Unforgettable?"

"Yeah, the combination of the master and the maid, isn't it good?"

Shakira looked at her intently. "Shipping everything will only get you in trouble."

Rseyda Mountain was one of the popular camping and check-in spots among nearby city folks. Even though that day wasn't a holiday, there were quite a few visitors.

However, due to that day's weather, most visitors decided to hike the mountain. Since the park staff didn't have time to clear the mountain roads, those who drove up got stuck halfway. By the time Yvette and her group got up the mountain, it was two hours later. This camping trip was funded by the class budget. After Shakira and Xanthe confirmed their identities with the park staff, they set up their tents in the reserved spot. By the time Yvette and her group arrived, Shakira and Xanthe were cooking some instant noodles. Compared to Shakira and Xanthe's laid-back state, Yvette and her group, who had been struggling for so long, were exhausted and disheveled. They didn't even have the energy to bother with setting up tents and just collapsed on the wooden planks. Even Yvette and Berry, who had taken a sports car just to show off, weren't in much better shape.

"Ugh, I'm filthy, and my shoes are full of mud." Yvette was used to her pampered lifestyle and couldn't lie down all messy. "Berry, let's go clean up."

Berry glanced towards Walter, hesitating. "I'm so tired. Yvette, why don't you

o ahead?"

Seeing through her little schemes, Yvette sneered and turned to leave.

Berry walked towards Walter but was stopped a few steps away by bodyguards.

Berry was almost in tears. "Mr. Lopez, it's me."

Walter glanced sideways at her. Berry's tears started falling immediately. She sobbed, feeling extremely wronged, "I stood there for over two hours and even helped with the luggage. Now I'm all dirty, boo hoo. I've never suffered like this before..." Walter frowned. His sharp eyes fixed on her, and he said in a meaningful tone, "What you've gone through today is nothin