The Hypnotized Stand-In Has Awakened—the True Heiress Is Terrified Chapter 03

The Hypnotized Stand-In Has Awakened—the True Heiress Is Terrified Chapter 03

A week later.

The sunlight was blinding. It set the gilded nameplate, Whitmore Estate, ablaze with light.

I took a deep breath and smoothed out my clothes.

Then I raised my hand and rang the doorbell.

The door opened. Adrian was standing right there.

He wore black loungewear, the collar slightly open, revealing sharp, defined collarbones. It looked like he had just finished showering.

His hair was still damp, a few loose strands falling across his forehead, the whole picture both lazy and dangerous.

The moment he saw me, his gaze paused.

That was it—a flicker of admiration. Subtle, but I caught it.

I immediately lowered my head, clutching the hem of my shirt, making myself as small as possible, like a child who’d just messed up.

“Miss Harrington?” he said, his voice low, slightly husky.

“Y-yes, that’s me,” I answered softly, lowering my head even further.

He didn’t linger on me. He stepped aside. “Come in.”

I followed him through the entryway and into the living room.

He sat on the couch, posture relaxed, yet somehow carrying an unspoken pressure.

“My younger brother, Mason Whitmore, is in his senior year.”

“He’s unruly by nature. The longest any tutor has lasted is three days.”

“He may try all kinds of ways to make things difficult for you. He may insult you. Be prepared.”

I gathered my courage and looked up at him, a hint of pleading in my eyes.

“Mr. Whitmore, no matter how much he puts me through, I’ll stick it out.”

“I really need the money, so please… give me this chance.”

Adrian paused, his eyes sharp and searching as they settled on my face.

After a moment, he finally spoke, “And why do you need money?”

“I don’t intend to pry into your privacy. But I won’t have Mason’s tutor involved in things like gambling or reckless spending.”

I quickly waved my hands, my face flushing red with urgency.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“It’s my online boyfriend… he’s transferred me a lot of money, but that money…”

I trailed off, then forced the words out. “Anyway, the reason I’m here, taking this job, is because I want to pay him back. With money I earned myself.”

He said nothing. His eyes lingered on me, like he could see right through me.

After a long pause, he lifted a brow slightly.

“Whether you get to stay… that’s entirely up to you.”