Under the Heiress' Facade
Chapter 12

As they reached the turn of the stairs, Bernard, who was in the lead, abruptly stopped. Fortunately,Hera stopped just in time to avoid bumping into him.

Bernard turned around, his gaze intense as he looked at Hera “Miss, do I know you fromsomewhere?!

Hera’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept a straight face as she stepped back. “Processor, yourapproach to starting this conversation feels rather outdated.”

Bemard stayed quiet. He edged closer to Hera, his gaze intensifying with a flurryet emotions.

Was Heraunable to recognize him? Or was she deliberately choosing to Ignore him?

Asernard drew closer, his towering figure standing at six and a half feet–cast a shadow over Hera,who, at five and a half feet, felt overwhelmed by his presence

The Bernard before her bore no resemblance in his former gentle self.

Hera instinctively stepped back as Bernard steadily approached. She stopped abruptly when shefelt the will against her back.

“Do you really not remember me? Cecily Killian!”

With his hand against the wall, Bernard glanced down at her. His eyes

is reflected a surge of emotions.

At the mention of the name, Hera felt a shiver down her spine. She reallord she had indeed beenrecognized.

17 years ago, Hera was mistakenly taken in by the Killian family and lived with them for six years.

11 years ago, Bernard’s father, Albert Killian, died on his deathbed, Albert spoused his third son,Greg Kilian, as the next head of the family.

However, just before Greg was due to take over, he was murdered

All evidence at the scene pointed to Hera’s father and Albert’s sixth son, Lucius, Lucius wasaccused of killing his brother for power and was promptly imprisoned.

Hera’s mother, Daphne, couldn’t believe Lucius would harm his brother. After months of searchingfor answers, Daphne finally uncovered a cloe

But tragically on her way back in the Kilian residence, she died in a sudden car accident along withthe driver responsible.

Sensing danger, Catherine book drastic action to protect her. She set the house on fire, faked theirdeaths, and spirited Hera andy to the countraide.

With our Catherine’s Intervention, Hera might not have survived. Hera’s heart swelled withemotions as she reminisced about those multuous years.

Even though it turned out that Hera wasn’t biologically related to Lucius and Daphne, she felt adeep gratitude toward them for raising her

She returned to Norburgh to wield her influence and gather evidence. Her next step would be ajourney to jetburgh to prove Lucius‘ innocence and avenge Daphne’s death!

Until she uncovered the true culprit, she wouldn’t trust anyone from the Killian family, not evanBernard, who had once been closest to her!

Hera met Bemard’s crimson eyes after pushing aide the fear Ingering in her heart. “I’m not CecilyBillian. My name is Hera Youngworth.”

“Nu, your’re an Everett, You’re the daughter of the Everetts!* Bernard retorted through clenchedteeth.

Hera’s thick lashes fluttered nervously, but then she realized that knowing her true identity wouldn’tbe difficult with a bit of effort

“Now that you know the truth, you must realize we have no connection anymore. Please, stepaside,” Hera asserted.

“YOU”

Bernard stared at Hera, puzzled by his sudden coldness and alot demeanor, He couldn’t fathomwhytter, ce so close to him, had become so dista

Something inside his head teh like it was breaking apart. He frowned, and his once handsomeface twisted in pain.

Hera was confused. She noticed the bulging veins on his hand pressed against the wall. It lookedlike he was righting to control something

Was he it seemed like he was having some sort of attack

“You’rowell * Before Hera could finish her words, Bernard gripped her throat and silenced her.

His eyes turned increasingly red, his breathing heavy, and his face contorted with agony. “Whywould you leave.me..”

Bernard’s grip tightened, making it hard for Hera to breathe. She desperately tried to pry his handaway with both of hers, but her efforts were in vain. Slowly, her face began to

turn red.

As Douglas turned the comer, he caught sight of Bernard strangling Hera Horrified, Douglas wastedno time and sprinted toward them

“Holy crap, Bernard! Let go! You’re going to kill her!”

The air grew thinner, and Hera’s face flushed deeper red.

this went on, she would suffocate!