A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Alessia, you really loved being the center of attention all morning, didn’t you?” If this were still Crestview High, that spotlight would’ve been mine.

That bitter thought darkened Ileana’s expression, while Alessia just blinked at her, all wide–eyed innocence.

“Did I? But honestly, I’m in the spotlight every single day.”

Ileana clenched her back teeth so hard she thought they might crack, but she couldn’t muster a retort. It was true–she was supposed to be Miss Tate, yet in class she was practically invisible. Alessia, on the other hand, didn’t even have to try. No matter what she did, she drew everyone’s attention.

Just sitting there, people flocked to talk to her, agree with her, even try to win her favor.

Why? Was it all because she’d gotten to live the good life for a few years?

Ileana’s anger simmered higher and higher. When she saw Alessia walking up, she snatched a basketball from the rack and hurled it at her.

One after another, she lobbed the balls, each one bouncing off the gym floor with a thunderous echo.

Alessia stopped in her tracks, dodging each ball as they bounced back up from the polished wood.

last ball as it ricocheted her way, Alessia, barely containing her irritation, tossed it casually into

a tiny little lesson? I thought you were always so poised, so above it all. Look at you. now–feeling a

mocking, grated on

Is that all you’ve got? If you’d thrown a knife, maybe

you really belittling here?”

are

who got switched at birth. Your real home is that rundown apartment

proud as ever, only made Ileana

12

Chapter 204

insecurity bubbling

wasn’t supposed to be like this. The last time she’d seen Alessia, she was just some ordinary girl hanging out with street punks. How did she go from that to

hadn’t hesitated back then, all of this would

frantic, Ileana grabbed a volleyball and

her jaw, her lips curled in a smile, but

winter.