Novel Update
Chapter 52
Mirabella was lost in her book, at least until she replied to James‘ message. After that, she just couldn’t get back into it. She gazed at the new message from him on her phone, pondering for a brief moment before tapping out a response: [Oh, just snagged it online. I can shoot you the link to the store if you want.]
After a second thought. Mirabella opened up eBay, sifted through her favorites, and found the store she was looking for. She copied the link, flipped back to her Messenger app, and pasted it in for James.
When James received her reply, he dove into the online store she’d mentioned. The shop had a solid five–star rating, a mishmash of products, not a dedicated Incense retailer by any means. But the sandalwood and agarwood Incense boxes looked strikingly similar to the wooden box that old lady had. The prices were low, just over twenty bucks.
No exact matches were seen, but it was pretty clear that the calming incense the old lady had likely originated from this online vendor. However, if it was the legendary secret blend everyone whispered about, it wouldn’t be peddled on some random website, nor would it be that cheap.
James closed the app, and felt a little displeased. In his dark eyes. It was hard to discern if it was disappointment or something else that dimmed their sparkle.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had whisked by since Mirabella had started at Parkside High School.
She was a bit of a free spirit, didn’t really mingle with the other students, and didn’t bother with extracurriculars. Her quiet demeanor had teachers labeling her as a paragon of obedience, while her peers saw her as the quintessential ice queen – a total enigma.
Her academic prowess was a mystery, but her looks? They were beyond reproach.
Lately, though, rumors had started to swirl that she must’ve pulled some strings to get into Parkside.
In her own world, oblivious to the petty high school chatter, Mirabella didn’t pay any of it any mind. But Jenna, her desk mate, was fuming when she heard the whispers. She almost went to set things straight before she turned to see Mirabella, who was always with her nose in a book whether in class or out.
“I think they’ve got your whole vibe all wrong.” Jenna said seriously, propping her chin on her hands as she studied Mirabella.
Mirabella lazily closed her textbook and turned her gaze on Jenna. Her eyebrows arched slightly. “Oh?”
That casual look from Mirabella sent a little thrill through Jenna. She swallowed hard, then retorted, “You’re not an ice queen. You’re a total bookworm!” Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
Flicking the corner of her book with a finger, Mirabella replied cryptically, “The path to wisdom is singular, and it’s paved with study.”
Playing with her fingers, Jenna sighed, “I feel like you’re hinting that I’m dumb, but I don’t have proof.” Mirabella just smiled and didn’t respond. Her phone on the desk buzzed, lighting up with two notifications for substantial money transfers. A quick glance was all it took for Mirabella to massage her temples in frustration. Again. It had been nearly half a month of daily transfers from that couple, as if they had money to burn. Jenna, who had been watching her, caught sight of those two glaringly large transfer notifications and couldn’t help but quip. “Another day, another blinding glimpse of wealth.”
Mirabella was speechless.
That was right. Jenna had discovered a few days ago that her desk mate was getting these big–money transfers daily. and she had gone from initial shock to a numb acceptance.