Fake Heiress Real Trouble (Sienna) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Amanda thought, ‘How could she possibly be here? Sienna… what on earth is she doing at the institute? Has she tailed me all the way out here? That country bumpkin-always scheming something!

‘At home, she played it cool, like she couldn’t care less about me snagging a spot as Professor Sharp’s student, acting as if school is the last thing on her mind. But now, here she is, following me right to the doorstep.

At that very moment, Sienna was casually heading toward the institute’s security barrier, fiddling with her phone, looking for all the world like she was about to waltz straight through.

Amanda’s eyes bulged in disbelief, and she muttered to herself, “Has she lost her damn mind?”

She thought, ‘A total hick from the boonies, no doubt about it. Does she even realize what kind of place she is barging into?

“This is the national core energy research institute-not some random spot open to any Tom, Dick, or Harry!’

Amanda didn’t even wait for Jaden to add her contact; she clacked ahead in her high heels, striding right up to Sienna.

“Sienna!” She thrust out an arm to block her. “What are you doing here?”

She flicked a sidelong glance at the nearby guards, her expression a mask of “helpful” reproach. “Scram! This is a classified national site-loiterers could get mistaken for foreign agents. If these guys drag you away, it’ll be a huge hassle and utterly embarrassing.”

“No phones in here, and definitely no photos!” She zeroed in on Sienna’s phone and grabbed her arm. “Sienna, I know you just got back-if you’re trying to grab some pics to boost your image, fine, I won’t hold it against you for not knowing the rules. But let’s get out of here now-don’t drag the family into a mess.”

On the surface, every word sounded like sisterly concern for Sienna.

But underneath, each one was crafted to ping the guards, framing Sienna as a shallow attention-seeker snapping selfies and posting from a top-secret spot, maybe even endangering national security or leaking intel.

Still, the guards didn’t budge an inch.

And Sienna? She didn’t spare her a single look, brushing right past as she made a beeline for the barrier.

Jaden caught up from behind, a bit miffed at being left hanging by Amanda. But when his gaze hit Sienna’s face, a flash of admiration lit

up

his eyes.

He tugged his white lab coat straight, prominently displaying the institute’s emblem, cleared his throat, and chimed in, “Miss, Amanda’s absolutely right-this is a high-security national zone. Strictly no entry for outsiders.

“You’re young-don’t ruin a bright future chasing some fleeting ego boost by flouting the law.”

As he spoke. he adiusted his coat once more, ensuring the institute badge was impossible to miss. “If you’re

Chapter od

really that intrigued by the place, I could spill some fun behind-the-scenes tidbits.”

Sienna came to a brief stop, raising her clear, piercing eyes to meet Jaden’s self-satisfied smirk.

As he noticed she’d actually paused because of him, Jaden’s ego swelled even further.

Vouchers

He broke into what he deemed a dashing, playboy smile, pushed up his glasses, and dove into a boastful monologue about being Patrick’s top protege, the key projects he oversaw at the institute, his security clearance, all the thorny issues he’d solved, and so forth.

All the while, reveling in the sight of these two stunning girls seemingly hanging on his every word.

Jaden was really hitting his stride now. “You probably don’t know this, but last night at 11:50, the institute’s core data spiked abnormally. Everyone’s been scrambling nonstop since then… Let me tell you, if I hadn’t stepped in right away, that data would’ve tanked overnight-no chance it lasts this long.”

Sienna’s finger froze mid-tap on her phone screen, her eyes narrowing to slits. Her stare sharpened, full of suspicion.

The institute had recorded the core data glitch at 1:37 a.m. And from her own calculations, the trap program had been planted at 11:52 p.m.

She thought, ‘Jaden… How the hell does he know the precise insertion time?’

Sienna’s sharp, unwavering gaze threw Jaden off for a split second, but he quickly broke into a smug grin.

He thought, ‘See? Just another girl starstruck by my ‘genius’ vibe and brainiac creds.’

A knockout like her, gazing at him with total awe… The mere idea puffed him up with pride.

Jaden dialed back his tone, oozing self-satisfaction. “Hey, miss, you seem really intrigued by the institute. How about this-once I get back to the control room and handle the heavy lifting, we can dive deeper tonight… what do you say?”

“Jaden…” Amanda gritted her teeth, seething inside that Sienna was nothing but a temptress, reeling in every guy who crossed her path.

Jaden spun around, flashing her a cheeky smile. “What? You wanna join, Amanda? No problem at all. If you two fancy a tour of the institute down the line, I could make it happen…”

Sienna ignored the rest of his boastful chatter, averted her eyes, slipped past the duo, and made for another security barrier.

“Hey, Sienna, are you seriously about to barge into a top-tier classified facility?” Amanda’s pulse raced with malicious delight as she put on a panicked act and cried out, “Oh god, they’ll label you a spy lifting state

secrets…”

She yelled over to the armed guards, “Hurry! Stop her-don’t let her force her way in!”

The ruckus had already caught the guards’ eyes.

Chapter 38

Whether legit or not, the words “stealing secrets” and “spy” lit a fire under them.

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