A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

In the Morton family, her three older brothers never dared speak to her that way, even raising their voices a little made them worry that they’d frighten her.

If she had to go back to the Tate family… No. Absolutely not!

By the end of the day, Ileana was utterly exhausted, and Max’s attitude toward Alessia only made her more anxious. She refused to endure a life where she was unwanted and penniless.

No one in the Morton family could find out about this–never!

Ileana hurried away, and only when she reached the foot of the hill did she suddenly remember something. She dug into her pocket, pulled out a photo and a note, didn’t even glance at them, and tore them to shreds before tossing them in the trash.

The feeling of being watched faded at last. Alessia looked back–no one there. Someone had trailed her all day, only to do nothing?

“What’s wrong?” Max asked.

“Nothing.” Alessia replied, passing her violin case to Max, who slung it over his shoulder without complaint.

those bruises again? Is your boyfriend taking you out brawling instead

how it feels to get beaten up

let the other win. As they walked, Max glanced at her, then moved to her right side so she’d be walking

away at any moment, Ileana began insisting on all sorts of things to satisfy her vanity

during the summer before her final year of middle school, Brendan–who had promised to send her to St. Claire’s Academy–told her the family’s finances had taken a turn

family held -m. Distracted by the dream of getting into the academy, she barely prepared for hic. entrance exams, and in the end,

10:00

Chapter 214

managed to squeeze

couldn’t accept the disappointment. The thoughts she’d hidden for two years bubbled up again; it was as if she needed to compare herself to someone else to

alone–no chauffeur, always coming and going from those run–down alleyways,

Morton family was down on its luck, things were still better than Alessia’s life! No way was she going

moved into a cramped apartment building, Ileana couldn’t believe it. She’d rather wander