A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

As Ileana drifted deeper into her daydream, the door suddenly burst open. Both women jumped, startled, their eyes darting toward the doorway.

“Alessia? Stella?” Lucy stood up, her voice uncertain as she glanced between the

two.

“Alessia! What are you doing here?” Ileana’s posture was tense, suspicion etched across her face.

Alessia said nothing, but Stella strode right in. She raised her hand, and Ileana instinctively shrank back, bracing herself. Stella smirked, then slipped an arm casually around Lucy’s shoulders.

“What are you trying to do? This is a hospital, you know,” Lucy stammu, swallowing hard.

“Relax. Let’s have a word outside, shall we?” It sounded like a question, but Stella didn’t wait for Lucy’s answer. With her arm still draped around her, she steered Lucy out the door.

Lucy shot a helpless glance at Ileana. Ileana opened her mouth to protest, but Stella silenced her with a cold, warning look. Ileana pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Stella’s lips curled into a sneer, her eyes full of disdain. Lucy had no choice but to follow her out.

As the door closed behind them, the spacious hospital room grew unnaturally quiet. Now only Ileana and Alessia remained. Alessia didn’t speak right away; she simply took Lucy’s recently vacated chair, crossed her legs, and lounged back. Her casual air somehow made the tension in the room tighten.

warily, jaw clenched, her fists twisting the blanket on

do you want?” she

really fall by yourself?” Alessia

her panic. She straightened,

this is, You’re worried I’ll expose you for telling York to push me down the stairs, aren’t you? Alessia, how could you be so cruel? Manipulating a seven–year–old into

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Chapter 147

as if trying to force Alessia

blame.

but her expression didn’t waver;

push you down the stairs? And how do you know I was the one to put the idea in his

questions left Ileana

prove Alessia had put him up to it. Alessia’s way was always to turn things back on

timed your return perfectly, right as the Mortons declared

ironic smile.

unlucky–when the Mortons were thriving, you missed your chance. Now, with the Tates, you’re also just a little too late.” Ileana’s tone was triumphant, but Alessia didn’t