A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

When Vera arrived, Zachary was still visibly uneasy.

“I’ll go with you,” he insisted.

“That’s not necessary,” Alessia replied. “It’s just that if I come home too late, I’ll disturb my parents‘ sleep. They’ve been exhausted lately with all the renovations. Don’t worry–there’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”

Zachary leaned on the car window, reluctant to let her go. “I know you’re capable, but don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

Alessia couldn’t help but smile wryly at his persistence, the corners of her mouth quirking up. She nodded. “Let me say goodnight in advance, then. I’ll see you

tomorrow.”

He reached out and ruffled her hair gently. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

As the car pulled away, Zachary stood at the bus stop, watching until it disappeared from sight, worry still etched on his face.

On the ride, Alessia scrolled through the latest trending topics on her phone. Fitch, at least, wasn’t a total fool–he’d chosen a time when most people were off work and even posted screenshots of his diagnosis. He painted himself as the victim, spinning the story so that the company looked like it was only protecting Tristan and trying to push a newcomer into the spotlight by forcing him out. According to Fitch, he’d stood up for himself and gotten punched for it; his words sounded so sincere that even random bystanders would feel sorry for him–let alone his fans.

But Tristan’s fans weren’t exactly pushovers, either. The two sides were at each other’s throats, flooding the company’s official social media with demands for a statement and the truth. Some were already starting to boycott the new artist’s

debut.

the situation with the Tillman family?” Alessia

you instructed,” Vera replied. “The contract meeting was canceled yesterday. They seem to have no idea what their

out soon enough.” Alessia’s voice was icy. “Everyone has to pay for

looked out

way,” Vera continued. “We’ve gathered

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go public, and the rest are prepared to testify

said, her tone gentle but firm. “Make sure to blur faces and alter voices in anything

wheel tightened, but her professionalism kept

temples. She’d only meant to dig up some dirt on him, but she hadn’t expected

in this world,” she

stiffened, her thoughts drifting to her own mother, still

after all this time.

unbelievable there are

in silence. By the time they

to the conference room, where the others were already assembled–plus two