A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Ileana struggled to her feet, trembling, her hair a tangled mess, streaks of mascara running down her cheeks. She looked as disheveled as anyone could imagine.

“Dad…” Her voice was choked with tears, but instead of the comfort she hoped for, a sharp slap echoed through the room.

“You’re an absolute disgrace.”

Her head snapped to the side from the force of the blow. Clutching her cheek, she stared at him in disbelief. All her life, the Mortons had treated her like a precious jewel–she’d never even been spoken to harshly, let alone struck. Yet today, her own father had slapped her.

She was the victim here! She was the one who should be angry, who deserved sympathy!

But now, afraid to speak or even look up, she just held her face, her body shaking even harder.

“If I’d known you’d embarrass me like this, I never would’ve taken you back!”

Ileana jerked her head up, her eyes brimming with hurt. “Dad, it was an accident. I was scared too!”

“You let a dumb animal scare you into this mess, and you expect me to believe you’re good for anything? Why doesn’t Alessia fall apart like this? Look at yourself–do you have any idea how much shame you’ve brought on the Scott family? You’re no better than those street women from the slums!”

clenched, all her resentment

inside.

happen again. I… I was chased

mess up one more time, I’ll send you right back to where you came from!” Scott spat. He regretted ever thinking

all her stubbornness, wasn’t

Ileana, the more annoyed he became.

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her; if she lost

apartment she’d once called home swelled. in

can’t go back!

mind raced for solutions, high heels clicking frantically on the polished floor. Spotting her last hope, Ileana reached

Her voice was

turning back. She took Ileana’s hand for the briefest moment, and Ileana’s face brightened–until Yvonne’s cold gaze cut right through her. With a