A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Oh, sweetheart, your brother said he doesn’t want anyone disturbing hirn right now. Please, don’t knock anymore–you’ve turned your hand red,” Mae coaxed gently. “I made your favorite vanilla cake. Why don’t we go downstairs and have a slice, hmm?”

No matter how much Mae tried, little Alessia just stood there, her eyes welling with tears, stubbornly knocking on the door again and again.

“Max!”

She’d barely raised her fist when, suddenly, the door swung open. The momentum sent Alessia stumbling forward, but Max caught her and promptly nudged her back.

out.

He left the door open only a crack. The room behind him was dark, the curtains drawn tight, and only half his face was visible in the gloom.

“Go away.” Max’s low growl was uncharacteristically harsh.

“Why won’t you come?” Alessia’s lower lip trembled as she fought hard not to burst into tears, but the tears in her eyes kept gathering, threatening to spill over.

“Did I ever say I would? Stop being so self–important.” Max’s exposed eye was ice–cold, utterly expressionless. They bickered often, but he had never spoken to her like this before.

hiccups escaped, betraying her

to pat her

Mae. “Take her downstairs. I told you–no one’s to bother me. Next time someone

and over. She scooped up the hiccuping, tear–streaked Alessia and hurried her downstairs, not daring to look

Alessia sobbed

teeth and slammed the

once sat on his desk had been torn to pieces. No one knew that just last night, because of his best friend’s jealousy, Max

12:03

Unapter 195

the edge of town.

partner again. After that, though Max and Alessia still traded the occasional barb, Alessia never again invited anyone to

disguise to watch. It was as if

began. Cole and the other investors sat in their reserved section, while the principal and faculty stood

cannons fired, sending shimmering ribbons