A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

The door clicked shut behind them, and Ileana’s face instantly fell.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy watched her, a trace of concern in her eyes.

Ileana’s eyes grew red and watery. She clung to Lucy’s hand, looking utterly aggrieved. Seeing this, Lucy hurried to pull her into a hug, gently patting her back in comfort.

“Don’t cry, I’m here, okay? What happened–did someone hurt you? Are you in pain?” After a moment’s consolation, Lucy let go, grabbed a tissue, and handed it to her.

Ileana gripped the tissue tightly. “I… I know I’m not as close to them a but we’re supposed to be a family. All I want is to get along, but he–he pushed me down the stairs! He’s only seven! How could he be so cruel?”

sia is,

ally

“You mean… York? Did Alessia put him up to it?” Lucy caught the implication in Ileana’s tone.

“I… I don’t know. But he’d just come back from my adoptive parents‘ house that day, and after he got home, he pushed me down the stairs. I was just heading down for dinner, ran into York at the landing, said hello–then he not only sicced his dog on me, he pushed me down! Just like that!”

broken bone. But what about next time? What if I’m not

in so hard that Lucy’s face twisted in pain. Still, Lucy quickly

soft and reassuring. “Ileana, try to calm down. Don’t be scared, but we don’t have any proof

supposed

they all look down on me–they just want Alessia back. The staff barely talk to me. Lucy, this

Lucy’s hand as if

just them–it’s the kids at school, too. Lucy,

bit back her first thought–Because you’re gullible and

said, “You’re not alone. Alessia was the Tate family’s

Chapter 146

you’ll need proof. Otherwise, even if you speak up, no

have to

it out. Alessia resents you for taking her place–if she really told York to hurt you, and it didn’t work this time,

time…” Ileana suddenly went quiet, her expression