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.

Alessia’s hiccups escaped, betraying

out, as if to pat her back, but pulled his hand back almost

glare at Mae. “Take her downstairs. I told you–no one’s to bother

up the hiccuping, tear–streaked Alessia and hurried her downstairs, not

speak to you… hic… again…” Alessia sobbed between hiccups as Mae carried her

and slammed

that once sat on his desk had been torn

12:03

Unapter 195

the edge of town.

though Max and Alessia still traded the occasional barb, Alessia never again invited anyone to join

to livestrearn or sneak in disguise to

nine–thirty sharp, the sports day began. Cole and the other investors sat in their reserved section,

sending shimmering ribbons floating