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

he’d been switched at birth–he’d have been a wreck, scrambling for the next flight

Alessia’s back. Poor girl, he

to respond. In truth, she wasn’t anxious or heartbroken–if anything,

waited with its door already open. Alessia didn’t break stride,

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Chapter 1

away toward

first learned she wasn’t the Tates‘ biological daughter, she’d been shocked, of

for her–financially, she’d been better off than

produce the perfect heir. Three children meant a backup–a spare, in case the second wasn’t a boy. If the second child

invested themselves emotionally. If you wanted something, you earned it with your grades. When the siblings reached the right age, they were shipped off to

academics.

didn’t have to fight for what she wanted. The downside? Her parents never paid her the slightest attention. Even birthday presents were left to their

little girl, she’d tried everything–excelled in school, hoping for a word of praise, anything to be seen. But she was never acknowledged, never celebrated like her brother and younger sibling. She

could ever change

but a pawn, her only value lying in the marriage alliance she’d be

real daughter 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

Alessia, we’ve arrived,” Dawson announced, holding open