A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

eana’s arms hung limp at her sides, her gaze growing vacant.

At some point, Larkin Yardley had appeared behind Cole, offering him a sanitizing wipe. Cole stood up and wiped his hands with deliberate care, a far cry from the eager, puppy–like demeanor he displayed in front of Alessia.

“Tell the Tate family that if they want this partnership to continue smoothly, I don’t want to see this person around again.”

“Yes, sir,” Larkin replied, nodding as he watched Cole leave.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Don’t you dare walk away! You’re just Alessia’s lapdog! Do you really think your words scare me? You think the Tate family will actually listen to you?”

Ileana shouted after him, her voice ragged and nearly gone. She tried to go after Cole, but her body wouldn’t obey.

Frustration settled over her like a heavy blanket. All she could do was glare viciously at Larkin, not realizing just how pathetic she looked.

Larkin dialed a number. “Mr. Dawson, yes, she’s in the gymnasium. Our CEO’s instructions are clear: if you want the partnership to continue, someone here

needs to leave.”

pause on the other end.

at her, not

to get your Miss Tate status back, but now? Looks like that seat isn’t as secure

like this. She was supposed to be in control. If she wanted to stay with the Morton family, she could. If she wanted to return to the Tates, it was hers

like this?

over everything in her mind, but

wrong.

Six years earlier

five–thousand–dollar sofa, cradling a bowl of chilled watermelon and watching The house was empty except

a checkup, Brendan was at the office and Ethan and Liam were off

let their children follow their own interests. If one of them wanted to take a class–even an expensive one–they’d enroll them.

loved music and was enrolled in every class he wanted. He might have dragged his feet before regular school, but he’d happily go to back–to–back lessons all week and