A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 1

At the airport’s arrival hall, a girl stepped out into the bustle, long hair loose around her shoulders, sunglasses and a mask half–concealing her striking features, wireless headphones resting around her neck. In one hand, she easily carried a small suitcase, her long, pale legs drawing more than a few lingering glances as she passed.

People stared, some whispering, half–convinced they’d just spotted a celebrity in the wild.

She halted, pushing her sunglasses up with a careless touch.

“Miss Alessia.” A middle–aged man in a tailored suit appeared before her, head respectfully lowered.

Alessia Tate slid off her sunglasses and tucked them into her collar. The small beauty mark beneath her eye only emphasized her allure.

“Are my parents home?”

“Yes, they’ve returned,” the man replied.

Alessia’s expression didn’t flicker with excitement or even the slightest hint of nerves. It was as if the people waiting for her were complete strangers.

“Butler, don’t forget the rest of my luggage,” she reminded, her tone languid.

“Of course, Miss. I’ll have it brought to your room shortly.”

another word. The butler Dawson followed at a respectful distance. Outwardly, he betrayed nothing, but inside,

scrambling for

pity crept into Dawson’s gaze as he watched Alessia’s back. Poor girl, he thought. She

anxious or

open. Alessia didn’t break

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Chapter 1

car glided away toward Tate

her mood as calm as glass. When she’d first learned

the Tates had mistreated her. Far from it. They’d always provided for her–financially, she’d been better off than any of her peers, with a monthly allowance that dwarfed theirs. But that was all there was to

existed to carry on the family name and produce the perfect heir. Three children meant a backup–a spare, in case the second wasn’t a boy. If the second child had, in fact, been a son, Alessia

wanted something, you earned it with your grades. When the siblings reached the right age, they were shipped off to the most elite

academics.

was a girl; she didn’t have to fight for what she wanted. The downside? Her parents never paid her the slightest attention. Even birthday

never acknowledged, never celebrated like her brother and younger sibling. She let her grades slip, but even

did could ever

lying in the marriage alliance she’d be expected to forge once she

was back. Perfect. Thanks to her, Alessia’s plans for escape had moved up by a whole year. The details had changed, but that was fine. If life had taught her anything,

we’ve arrived,” Dawson announced, holding open