Chapter 9 – The Fake Heiress’s Counterattack

Lyra Xian was in trouble.

Not the kind of trouble she could hack her way out of.

Not the kind of trouble she could ignore.

No—Ethan Vaughn had flipped the game board.

By announcing his "internship selection process," he had put her under the spotlight, making it impossible for her to disappear into the background.

And now, Leo’s warning replayed in her mind.

"If you keep playing this game—he’ll use you to get to me."

She should back off.

She should stay in her lane.

But the problem was—she never did what she should.

And that’s exactly why she was now face-to-face with her next problem.

Seraphina Xian.

Lyra had barely stepped into the library when Seraphina and her loyal followers cornered her.

"Look who’s getting too comfortable in my school."

Lyra sighed. "Seriously? Again?"

Seraphina’s lips curled. "You think I don’t see what you’re doing?" She crossed her arms. "Throwing yourself at Ethan Vaughn like some desperate social climber."

Lyra gave her a flat stare. "I’d rather throw myself into a volcano."

A few of Seraphina’s minions stifled giggles, but one sharp glare from their leader shut them up.

"You think you’re so clever, don’t you?" Seraphina sneered. "Well, let’s see how clever you are when I ruin your pathetic little reputation."

Lyra’s fingers twitched. She could end this entire thing right now.

One hack—one exposed secret, and Seraphina Xian’s perfect image would shatter.

But no.

That would be too easy.

She smiled instead. "You can try. But I wonder…"

She took a step closer, lowering her voice just enough that only Seraphina could hear.

"What would your parents think if they found out their perfect daughter isn’t actually theirs?"

Seraphina’s eyes widened.

And for the first time, Lyra saw it—fear.

Good.

Let her be afraid.

Because this was just the beginning.

---

Meanwhile –

Ethan sat in his private office at Vaughn Industries, tapping his fingers against his desk.

His screen was open to a list of security reports—each one tracking his most recent hacker encounter.

Shadow Ghost.

He had baited her, and she had taken the trap.

But there was something off.

The way she moved. The way she reacted. The deliberate hesitations.

Ethan had spent years hunting hackers, and this one was different.

This wasn’t just some digital phantom.

This was someone hiding in plain sight.

His gaze darkened.

Someone close.

His mind replayed his interactions with Lyra Xian.

Her sharp eyes. The way she responded too quickly to his challenges. The way she wasn’t intimidated by him like everyone else.

Could it be her?

A slow smirk formed.

Time to find out.

---

That Night –

Lyra’s phone buzzed.

She frowned, glancing at the notification.

A message from an unknown number.

"Dinner. 8 PM. Vaughn Tower."

Her stomach dropped.

There was only one person who could be sending that message.

And when she looked closer, she noticed the second line:

"Don’t be late, Miss Xian."

Her pulse quickened.

Ethan Vaughn had just invited her to dinner.

This wasn’t an invitation.

It was a summons.

And she had a feeling it wasn’t going to end well.

---

End of Chapter 9

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***