CHAPTER 8: Deception

Hall

Wren walked around the hall until he spotted Cam.

"Hey," he greeted.

"I've been looking for you," Cam replied.

"I went to the restroom, but we can start now."

"How?"

"Let's go to the food area over there." Wren pointed toward the buffet section.

When they arrived, they sat down.

"Come closer, let me feed you," Wren said.

"Why?"

"Look around and see where Zoe is."

Cam glanced around and found Zoe sitting with his friends, but his attention was clearly on them.

"He's watching me."

"Pretend not to notice."

"Okay." Cam adjusted his posture.

"Anything I do, just act shy."

"I'm ready."

Wren lifted a spoonful of food toward Cam's mouth, then used his hand to wipe a bit off the corner of Cam's lips before licking it off his own fingers.

"You…" Cam was stunned.

"Now blush—since he's watching—and think of a happy memory with Zoe."

Cam thought of an incident, his cheeks warming as he feigned shyness.

Zoe, who had been watching the entire interaction, immediately got up and stormed toward them.

"Cam, can I talk to you for a minute?" Zoe asked.

"I'm busy," Cam said, still looking at Wren.

"I said I want—"

"He said he's busy, so leave Cam baby alone," Wren interrupted.

"Cam what? What kind of nickname is that? It sounds awful," Zoe scoffed.

"Cam baby, do you like the name?" Wren asked with a smirk.

"Yes, I do," Cam replied, smiling.

"He likes the name," Wren teased.

"Change it," Zoe insisted.

"Don't use that tone with me. Also, who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" Wren glared at him.

"We had a one-night stand," Zoe snapped.

"So? Cam baby already told me. It was just a one-night thing."

"You… you told him?!" Zoe turned to Cam.

"Yes, I knew you weren't trustworthy, so I told him everything."

"Unbelievable." Zoe looked furious.

"Please, can I talk to him for a few minutes?" Zoe asked more calmly.

"Fine. I'll grab a drink, Cam baby." Wren pecked Cam's cheek before leaving.

The moment Wren was out of sight, Zoe grabbed Cam by the wrist and dragged him to the bathroom, locking the door behind them.

"Is he the guy you want to move on with?" Zoe questioned.

"Yeah, I like him. He's attractive."

"How can you like someone like him?"

"Why can't I? He's handsome, rich, has a chance at being the heir, and he's gentle. I bet he's good in—"

"You can't sleep with him."

"I won't just sleep with him, I'll date him. Didn't you see how he fed me and licked the remnants without shame?"

"I can do that. I can do more," Zoe declared.

"Why are you so possessive? Why do you want to do more?"

"I don't know! I hate seeing you with other guys. The thought of you being with someone else drives me crazy. Everything about you drives me insane."

"You don't even know what this feeling is."

"I don't…"

"Then figure it out. Until then, I'm leaving before Wren gets worried."

"Wait—" Zoe called after him.

As Cam turned a corner, out of Zoe's sight, a triumphant smile spread across his face.

At the Party

Wren picked up a drink and examined it carefully.

"Sir, do you need a drink?" a maid asked.

"No," Wren replied immediately, but she remained standing there.

"Didn't you hear me? Go serve someone else."

The maid scurried off.

"According to every real-and-fake-heir novel, the drink is definitely drugged. If I drink it, I'll either pass out or act crazy, then Mark will bring in a gangster, and the headlines will read: 'Country Bumpkin Real Son of the Book Family is a Slut.' Sounds like a novel title. 'The Fake Son Tramples on the Real One.' Nope. I'm not drinking anything tonight. I sense danger."

Just as he turned to leave, someone bumped into him, spilling a drink all over him.

He looked up to see the same maid from earlier. Yep, definitely something shady going on.

"Sir, I'm sorry," she said.

"No problem," Wren replied, holding back his irritation.

"Please forgive me."

"I said I'm not angry."

Just then, Mark arrived with his group of friends.

"Wren, brother, I'm so sorry on behalf of the maid. Please don't fire her. She's poor and relies on her salary to survive. I wanted to help her, but she insisted on working for her living," Mark said, tearing up.

"What?" Wren blinked in confusion.

"Mark is so kind," Friend A gushed.

"Yeah, always nice. Only this country bumpkin is rude," Friend B sneered.

"He's my role model," Friend C added.

"Such a wicked guy, trying to fire a poor maid," Friend D murmured.

Wren glanced at Mark and caught the wicked smile on his face. So this was his plan.

Mark leaned in, whispering so only Wren could hear.

"Mark 1, Wren 1," he taunted.

"No," Wren whispered back.

"What do you mean?" Mark asked, confused.

Wren suddenly burst into tears.

"Brother, you know I grew up in an orphanage. I never had a wealthy life. When the maid offered me a drink, I refused because I didn't know if it had alcohol—I didn't want to disgrace the Book family. But when I said no, she called me a country bumpkin. When she came back just now, I never expected her to accuse me, so I was shocked. I know she's poor, so we won't fire her, but brother, please scold her for me. I feel hurt. I know I'm a country bumpkin, but you're from the city—you could scold her for me, right?"

Wren clung to Mark in an emotional hug, forcing him into a tough spot.

Mark stood frozen in Wren's embrace as Wren whispered, "Now, choose: defend the maid and get publicly shamed, or scold her and protect your reputation. The ball's in your court, little Mark."

Still crying, Wren pulled away.

Mark clenched his jaw, forcing a smile. "How dare you say that about my brother? The party is still going on—I'll deal with you later. Get lost!" he snapped at the maid.

"Brother, thank you! Can I get a hug?" Wren asked sweetly.

"Yes, you can," Mark said through gritted teeth.

"Thanks, brother!" Wren hugged him again, whispering, "How does it feel to lose at your own game? Get a better teacher next time. Wren 2, Mark 0. Enjoy the show."

Wren walked away, leaving Mark standing there speechless.

Nighttime

"I spoke to Zack—he's coming," Wren said.

"Good. After what Zoe said, we need a backup plan."

"He'll sneak out and return in the morning."

"That's fine. What time should I come?"

"11:00 PM, after everyone's gone to bed."

"Okay. Let's go for dinner."

As they left, someone stepped out of the shadows.

"Hello, sir. I couldn't get a voice recording, but I overheard that someone named Zack, Wren's friend, is coming tonight."

"You weren't seen?"

"No, sir."

The call ended, and in the dim light, the maid Casey's face was visible.

Dining Room

"The party was a success. Starting tomorrow, training will begin and last for one month. Two months after that, the heir competition will take place. Work hard," the butler announced.

"Mr. Book expects everyone to take the training seriously."

"After dinner, you may all rest. Classes begin after breakfast."

With that, the butler left.

"Good night, everyone," Wren said, standing up.

"Good night," Cam followed.

"Who cares if you leave or sleep in the dining room?" Mark said sarcastically.

"Mark, if you don't want to answer, you don't have to," Zoe said, getting up and leaving as well.

Mark scowled, stabbing his fork into his food.