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.

indifferent. She walked right past Ileana without so much

“Happy now, Alessia?”

Alessia couldn’t help finding it almost funny. She turned, meeting Ileana’s eyes without

you do anything that

family dinner, you

laugh, though there wasn’t

straight: instead of blaming the person who embarrassed you, you’re dragging me into it? Seriously, Ileana, is your logic always this twisted?

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

caught off 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

looks the others were giving her–some shocked, some scornful, some just blankly staring. In that

over.

so much humiliation as she had these past two

Only after Ileana had disappeared did she finally head for her

just talking about how Ileana freaked out at the family dinner yesterday when that dog scared her,” Pierce said, rubbing

“And?”

pretty disturbing. Plus, she’s always bragged about how much her family

‘perfect princess‘ image totally