A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“You useless brat! Do you have any idea what kind of mess you’ve made?”

Fitch hadn’t even finished speaking before his father’s furious roar erupted from the phone. Candace could hear every word, even though the call wasn’t on speaker.

Without another pause, she grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

“Candace!” Instinctively, Fitch reached out to stop her, but the stream of curses from his father’s end only made his head spin.

“Dad, just listen to me! I’m your son, please, help me–I was wrong, I swear I was wrong!” Fitch pleaded desperately, clutching the phone with one hand while trying to grab Candace with the other. She shook him off with a sharp jerk..

The door slammed behind her with a bang, cutting him off. Fitch pounded his fist against the wood and cursed, “Damn it!”

“Are you seriously taking your anger out on me right now?”

“No–Dad, I’m not. I swear, I’m not. I’m your son, you can’t just abandon me. I can’t go to jail…”

“You expect me to clean up your mess every time? Do you have any idea how many contracts the company lost because of you? Save you? You’re about to bankrupt the whole business!”

“Dad! Please! I’ll change, I promise. Just don’t give up on me. I’m your son–your only son!” Fitch’s voice broke into a desperate whimper, panic etched across his

face.

“You’re hopeless. From now on, I don’t have a son.”

“Dad! Please–Dad!”

another word, leaving Fitch alone with nothing

***

When she stepped out of the lounge, Cole, was outside, handling the final details

drink some water.” Cole handed her a glass–just

13:38

things turn

sent over the plan. I’ve looked it over and told them

folder on

this afternoon?” Cole glanced up, twirling a

together, an invisible bubble

just messaged

“I’ll drive you.”

teasing, “You should get some sleep. Driving while tired–are you

a

eat first.” He gently smoothed

mussed.

***

afternoon, Vera dropped Alessia

“Hey, Lessie! Good afternoon!”

“Afternoon.”

through your alarm

lazy as you?”