A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Two years ago, his parents were in a terrible car crash while moving to a new house. Mr. Whitley died at the scene, and Ms. June has been in a coma ever since, To keep The Whitley Group afloat during the chaos, he took a year off from school Even after stabilizing the company and returning to his studies, he only comes back for major exams. That’s why he isn’t in the regular class, but instead sits among the investors.

When Justin spoke about it, his tone was casual, almost light, but no one knew better than him just how much effort Cole had poured into holding things together. Justin had watched Cole grow up, looked out for him like a brother, so he understood exactly what it all had cost.

Besides, everyone knew about Cole’s situation–there were no secrets to keep or topics to tiptoe around. Since Dave had brought it up first, Justin figured it was better to fill them in than risk someone cluelessly asking Alessia about it and stumbling into her emotional minefield.

“But just a word of advice,” Justin added, “don’t mention Cole’s parents in front of Alessia. In fact, it’s probably best to pretend you don’t even know Cole exists.”

Unlike how he treated Stella, Justin genuinely saw Cole and Alessia as family–like a brother and sister. He was glad Alessia had finally broken free from the Tate family, found her own freedom, and was surrounded by people who truly cared about.her. Knowing she didn’t dislike the Mortons, he felt it was worth it to warn them. For anyone else, Justin wouldn’t have wasted his breath. Whether they’d listen or not wasn’t something he could control.

Ethan and Liam pressed their lips together and said nothing, but they took Justin’s words to heart.

Out on the field, after collecting their medals, the three of them stepped down from the podium.

first place at the school’s sports meet,” Alessia’s rival said with a wry smile. There was a hint

first year, maybe even the second. But by the third year, losing to the same person over and

our team captain over

Pierce spinning around with th of their

nodded. “Yeah,

last year here. If we don’t win, he’ll be moping for

shook her head and sighed. “You know, your class always seems so laid–back, like everyone’s in their own world.

the announcer declared that their class had just won the boys‘ long jump

a smile–one shrugged, the other rolled

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