A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Rex, come here.” The child’s voice rang out clear, carrying across the room. The German Shepherd, who’d been sprawled lazily nearby, perked up at the command and bounded over at once.

“Good boy.” York ruffled Rex’s fur, grinning as the dog wagged his tail furiously by his side, showing not a hint of remorse for causing a scene.

The two–boy and dog–were soon lost in their own world, playing together, completely ignoring the curious stares from the other guests.

“Butler Dawson, take the dog away.” No one had noticed Max appear behind York, his tone cool and authoritative. York looked annoyed but reluctantly handed the

leash to Butler Dawson.

With the dog led away, an awkward silence settled over the party. In the corner, Stella was grinning so wide her eyes disappeared. She quickly sent the video she’d just recorded to someone, then, with a deliberate “slip,” forwarded it to the class group chat–only to delete it moments later.

The group chat went dead silent, but Stella knew she’d already achieved what she

wanted.

“Didn’t expect you to be such a troublemaker,” Penny teased, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“Takes one to know one,” Stella shot back without missing a beat.

eyebrow but let it drop. Truth was, she wasn’t thrilled about Ileana’s sudden appearance

Yvonne had dragged her straight to the Sullivans for a formal introduction. She fawned over her cousins, played the perfect angel in front of the adults, and always seemed to highlight her own misfortune by using

used to swallowing her feelings, but not everyone else was so patient. In the end, Ileana always managed to come out on top. So if someone wanted to embarrass her, why should Penny

saw Stella pocket

a night. See

wave and sauntered–out.

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14:43

Stella’s easy exit, Penny felt a pang of envy. She and Alessia had teamed up for one simple reason: they were both pawns, trapped in the games of the Sullivans and the Tates. No matter how hard they tried, they’d never get a share of the real power. If they wanted to break free from this gilded cage, they had to keep sharpening their

glanced toward the stage. At some point,

away.

the microphone when Max strode up and took it from him. Max didn’t speak right away; instead, he offered the crowd a gentlemanly bow. With a faint,

I’ve prepared a few small gifts. I hope you’ll accept them on his behalf, and I’ll be

back under control. The guests responded in kind, and the tension that had gripped the party began

his time abroad. The mood lightened, and, by the end of the evening,

had left and the party was over, Scott’s expression changed in an instant. He scanned the room, only