Masquerades

Chapter 25

It seems like most of the Masquerades are indeed convinced that the new Calista is the real one. She arrived in the cafeteria with the group, happily chatting with Maisie and Jada. Arcane didn’t hide the fact that he was pissed about it, as a deep frown masked his face the entire time they were walking up to their exclusive dining area.

Cali almost burst into fits of laughter, seeing the guy’s misery. Turns out, he had no power against his five friends.

Nothing else happened that particular lunch break. William and the rest of the Populars, remained silent just like the previous day. The second fake Calista, also became rather tamed after Dakota took her in. No Underdog tried to settle some old scores with their bullies. If only everything could stay this way every day, but she knew that was pretty much impossible.

It’s only the second day of Penta, and most of the time, the fights start on the third week. The first two days are the calm before the storm. It’s when plans are being finalized, when courage is being built. Tomorrow, something’s going to happen for sure, and she’s almost certain she’s going to be involved in it.

She decided not to look for the anonymous letter sender for now. She suddenly had the feeling that the girl would soon appear in front of her, and she didn’t need to tire herself out anymore. At least, she already has an idea what she may look like.

The peace continued until the dismissal period. She wasn’t able to go home right away because she’s one of the chosen players in the relay race, so it’s required for her to do some laps for at least an hour after their last subject. Warren is one of her teammates, along with Kinsley and Jeremy. Shannon, on the other hand, is assigned to design their class jersey.

It was a bit late when their training ended, so Ren offered to take her home, but she immediately refused, because his way home is in the opposite direction. And it’s not like this isn’t the first time she’s going to go home alone late.

“You’ve been extra worried about me the past few days. It’s getting really weird, you know?” she jokingly told her best friend.

Warren rolled his eyes, “you pissed a lot of people lately, so just be thankful that I’m looking after you.”

Of course, he has a point. “Don’t worry. They weren’t able to do anything to me here in school, so it won’t be any different outside.”

“I hope you’re right. I’ll go first then.”

She nodded and smiled, “see you tomorrow.” The guy just nodded back, and she watched as he whirled around and stalked off before turning back to her locker.

She continued organizing her books, taking out the ones she got homework on, and putting back those she did not need to take home. Once finished, she wore her backpack onto her shoulders and went straight out of the main building.

She hadn’t even stepped out of the school gate when she noticed the familiar figure standing at the side of the road. When the man saw her making her way out, he instantly stood straight and smoothened his clothes.

Peter was about to bow to her when she hurriedly gripped his arm and pulled him into a secluded alley. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Y-Young Lady, it’s really you! You’re really alive, I can’t believe it—“

“Shh! Lower your voice. If you haven’t noticed, no one still knows about me.” When she was sure that her family’s former butler had already calmed down, she sighed and released his arm before stepping back. “What were you thinking, waiting for me right outside the school? Out in the open?! Here I thought you’d be more careful, knowing that you’re helping someone to impersonate me…”

“Please, let me explain, Young Lady. It wasn’t my intention… I was just really desperate to earn money for my son’s hospital bills. I am still loyal to the Songs, I owe Master Clarence my life. If only—“

“Okay, please calm down. I’m not mad about that, so relax. Just tell me who’s behind this plan of yours. Is there a family backing that fake Calista?”

Peter shook his head, looking defeated. “I really have no clue, Young Lady. After the news that you’re still alive surfaced, an anonymous person suddenly offered to sponsor my son’s surgery and other hospital fees. I currently have no source of income other than my late wife’s pension. I was desperate for help, so I accepted the offer. But it turned out there was a catch… I need to find and create a fake Calista Song who can convince Arcane Wong and the public that she’s real.”

“You really have no clue about who ordered this?”

The man shook his head, “no. And whenever they had to settle things with me, they sent a different stranger every time. Whenever they call, it looked like a payphone number or something.”

“Okay…” she drawled as she absentmindedly started pacing back and forth in contemplation. Someone’s clearly trying to secure the Wongs' trust. But isn’t this such a big risk? Aren’t they afraid of Arcane retaliating once the truth comes out?

Well, what if this was actually a decoy? What if they are trying to avert the Wongs’ attention, instead? What if the person behind this fake Calista is actually targeting Arcane, and not her? In the first place, why would they even find Peter, a former worker in the Song Manor, if they had no evil plans up their sleeve?

“Just continue what you’re doing for now,” she eventually said in finality.

“But…”

“This would also help to keep me safe, so you’re actually helping me. Just keep me updated whenever that person gives you another instruction again. Hand me your phone,” she outstretched her hand and the man immediately put his phone on it. “I’m giving you my number and my guardian’s contact details. If you need any help, don’t ever accept any offer from a stranger again and just call either me or this number, okay?”

“Your guardian?” he frowned, quite reluctant. “Are you sure you’re safe with them? Where have you been staying all this time, Young Lady? What really happened?”

She smiled, feeling quite overwhelmed by his concern. She would never doubt her family’s people, and would always have that assurance that she could trust them. She grew up with these people by her side, and if not for their current situation, she would have teared up seeing this kind-looking butler again. Peter was her dad’s favorite, the one who he trusted the most and who he gave the most difficult but important errands to.

“Peter, did no one ever contact you all these years? How about the one who bought the company? Didn’t he offer you to keep working in the Manor?”

The man’s face immediately turned sour, looking a bit offended. “That Pierce Alastair?” he almost spat the name in disgust. “How can I betray my real master and work for the one who practically snatched everything from his real heir?! I can’t do that or my own father would literally haunt me. Our family has been loyal to the Songs ever since your great great great grandfather saved my ancestors from the war.”

If only you knew who this Pierce Alastair is, Peter. But it’s not the time for her to reveal that, and besides, it’s not something she should be speaking about. It’s her cousin’s.

“Thank you for your loyalty, Peter. I know how my father valued you and he was right choosing you as his most-trusted aide.”

Tears welled in Peter’s eyes as he bowed, “I’m just happy to see you once again, Young Lady. Again, I’m sorry for what I’ve done.” He then stood back up and wiped a few tears that stained his cheek with his sleeve.

“No need to apologize. I told you, you’re actually helping me,” she reached for his arm and rubbed it to give him a bit of comfort. “Did this benefactor of yours order you to make everything convincing?”

“Yes, they told me to do everything to make Arcane believe.”

“Hmm… then you should do your job well.” She then took her phone out and typed a text. “I sent you a message with an email address. Write an article about your fake Calista and send it to that person. It would be better if you included pictures. I think there are students who took photos of her with the Masquerades earlier, tell your fake Calista to collect those and send them to you. Make it look like you’re some insider who saw everything, and don’t forget to include that Arcane seems like he believes that he has found the real one.”

Peter instantly nodded as he checked the message. It was a famous blogger who wrote posts about celebrities and socialites in Beijing, and she particularly loved to write about the Masquerades.

“Alright, I’ll do this as soon as I get home.”

“Good. It’s time to convince the public, too. Maybe we could also fool the Wongs that way.”

Seems like everything’s falling into place.