A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“So, how’s life treating you, Miss High–and–Mighty Tate, now that you’re stuck in the slums?”

“You-!” Liam didn’t even finish his sentence before Alessia stepped forward and grabbed Lucy by the collar.

Looking down at her, Alessia’s eyes held no anger, only a calm, chilling indifference. Lucy, on the other hand, couldn’t hide the tremor in her eyes–fear and panic flickering across her face.

“W–what are you going to do?”

“Let go of my daughter, you wretch!” Yvonne, bound and helpless, struggled furiously. Liam simply yanked the rope, dragging her further away. No matter how loudly Yvonne hurled insults, he held on tight, frowning in silence.

“Lucy,” Alessia said evenly, “even without the Tate name, I’m still me. But if you lost the Summers name, would you still be you? You always talk about high and low… but which of us is really above, and which is below? Want to find out?”

“You’re only acting tough because Stella’s backing you up. Do you really think, with your reputation in tatters, you’re still good enough for Cole? Please. Nobody in class is going to treat you the way they used to. They’re just pretending to care–for their own benefit.”

“Is that so? How sad for you,” Alessia replied, her gaze tinged with pity.

even realizing it, Lucy had lost the upper hand. Her

you want to stir up

to mean? You think you can

a big contract on the table, right? Think of this as a warning. Behave yourself, and

was so confident, he’d been in a good mood for weeks

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15:40

Chapter 35

mercy? Don’t make me laugh! Alessia, you’ve got nothing left. You’re bluffing about my father’s deal? Fine. Let’s see what you can

like she wanted to tear a piece out of her. She didn’t believe Alessia could pull it off, but after years of being beneath her, there was a pit of unease in her gut she couldn’t

just gave a faint, knowing smile, as if everything was unfolding exactly

“Stella.”

replied, immediately