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.

Alessia, barely containing her irritation,

are you? Isn’t this just a tiny little lesson? I thought you were always so poised, so above it all. Look at you. now–feeling

sharp and mocking, grated on

disbelieving laugh. “Really? Is that all you’ve got? If you’d thrown a knife, maybe I’d have some respect for you.

you really belittling here?”

are

are you to look down on me? You’re just a fraud–a fake heiress who got switched at birth. Your real home is that rundown apartment building, you get that? Everything you have now should’ve been mine.

proud as ever, only made Ileana

12

Chapter 204

insecurity bubbling

ordinary girl hanging out with street punks.

I hadn’t hesitated back then, all of this would be mine.

frantic, Ileana grabbed a volleyball and flung it at

curled in a

winter.