A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Alessia stepped off the bus, her backpack slung over one shoulder, and started the familiar walk home alone. What had once been a maze of unfamiliar streets had become so routine that she could have found her way with her eyes closed.

Dusk had settled in, and the streetlights flickered to life, bathing the sidewalk in a soft, amber glow. As Alessia rounded the corner, she spotted a familiar figure standing under the nearest lamp.

“Lessie, time for dinner,” Zachary called, waving her over.

As she drew closer, Alessia noticed the dark bruise marring Zachary’s cheek.

“What happened to your face?”

He shook his head, silent, and Alessia frowned but decided not to push further.

“Did you work things out?” she asked quietly.

“Pretty much,” Zachary replied.

“If you need to talk anything over tomorrow, I’ll wait for you in the Crestview High classroom. I was planning to hit the library and look over some practice problems anyway.”

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

“No, my parents just got home too, so it’s perfect timing.”

They chatted about nothing in particular, as if the recent drama had never happened.

she knew it, the weekend arrived. The Mortons were busy with the final preparations before their grand opening, Ethan and his friends were chasing their dreams, and Alessia, after finishing breakfast, was

immediately greeted

York’s eyes went wide, full of mock outrage and wounded

perfectly calm as she shut the door behind her. “What are you doing here

I told the housekeeper I was coming,” York

Chapter 161

deserved a

a small smile. She reached out and ruffled

York’s cheeks flushed

I set my mind to something,

eyes darted to Ivan, who was clutching a paper bag

where are you two sneaking off to

catching Alessia off guard. York, on

back of his neck. “Uh, this is for

bag to Ivan, suddenly shy–so different from his usual

looked up at Alessia, uncertain. She nodded and let go of his hand so

was a brand–new book, still wrapped.

fight, Karen had asked Ivan about what happened. He’d shown her the torn book, and Karen had

always acted like nothing bothered him. But there he was, turning up first thing Saturday