A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Pierce Quinn, you again!”

“Still stuck at third place, huh? Guess some things never change.” There was no hiding the mockery in Pierce’s voice as he leaned against the school gate, arms crossed and a crooked grin on his lips.

Ignatius Stone’s fists clenched at his sides, frustration flickering in his eyes. His friend, standing awkwardly by, tugged nervously at his sleeve, but Ignatius shook him off with a sharp jerk.

“Face it, Pierce. Without your family’s money, what do you have on me? All you ever do is gloat that I’m forever third. Honestly, you’re pathetic.” His words were cutting, icy with resentment.

But Pierce only seemed amused. He wagged a finger at Ignatius, his expression infuriatingly smug. “No, no, you’ve got it wrong. Sure, my family’s out of your league, but let’s not forget–my looks are in a whole different stratosphere too.” He stroked his jaw, eyes glinting with self–satisfaction.

Annoying as he was, Pierce wasn’t lying. Where Ignatius still wore the awkward traces of adolescence, Pierce–with his bold red hair and effortless flair–managed to make even the wildest styles look cool. He was cocky, sometimes reckless, but undeniably popular. Every month, someone confessed to him through the school’s anonymous message board–sometimes even kids from Crestview High across town. The declarations got so over–the–top that his friends joked he must’ve hired people to write them.

Once again, Ignatius found himself outmatched, biting down hard as he glared at

Pierce.

glance at the gering crowd,

Pierce just laughed and waved after him,

his tone light and teasing.

only a nine–point gap, not ten

1/2

13.50 1945

Chapter 48

burn with anger. He lost his patience, shoving through the

street–gathered to watch.

reach him,

was crisp,

lit up. He turned, and the crowd instinctively parted, revealing Zachary and Alessia at

he was actually a year older than her.