A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Did you guys see that video?”

“Oh my god, yes! I always thought she seemed so sweet–turns out, when she starts swearing, she really goes for it.”

“And that ‘welcome dinner‘ her family threw? What a joke that turned out to be.

“Did you catch her parents‘ faces last night? I swear, they looked absolutely mortified.”

“Honestly, judging by how her family acted, she’s not nearly as spoiled as she lets

on.”

“You think she’s just been faking it this whole time?”

“Unbelievable! Is she really that shameless?”

“Hey, hey, that’s enough!”

“Why can’t we talk abou-” The words died in the air. Ileana was standing in the doorway, knuckles white on her backpack straps.

The two girls who’d been gossiping rubbed their noses awkwardly and drifted apart, while everyone else suddenly found something fascinating in their textbooks.

expression coolly indifferent. She walked right past Ileana without so much as a glance,

“Happy now, Alessia?”

voice rang out behind her, sharp and brittle, but Alessia couldn’t help finding it almost funny. She turned,

do anything that

my family dinner, you must be

there wasn’t

straight: instead of blaming the person who embarrassed you, you’re dragging

was at a loss for words. Instinctively, she raised her hand to strike Alessia, but

guard. But what’s your excuse now? Just picking someone at random to take your anger out on?” Alessia’s grip tightened for a moment before she let go, pushing Ileana back a couple

that Ileana noticed the looks the others were giving her–some

over.

two days. Biting back tears, she spun around and bolted from the classroom, leaving

retreat with cold detachment. Only after Ileana had disappeared did she finally head for her

the family dinner yesterday when that dog scared her,” Pierce said, rubbing the bridge of

“And?”

at the poor thing. Honestly, it was pretty disturbing. Plus, she’s always bragged about how much her family dotes on her,

princess‘ image totally fell apart,” someone else