A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

hapter 219

Ileana jerked her head up, just in time to see two housekeepers standing on the balcony above. One held a basketball, the other a volleyball.

Before she could react, they hurled the balls straight at her. Ileana barely had time to think–she just ran, stumbling across the courtyard in a panic. No matter where she dodged, the housekeepers seemed uncannily practiced; every throw found its mark, thudding against her back or shoulders.

Somewhere along the way, the butler had quietly disappeared, leaving lleana’s shrieks echoing through the misty early morning.

Later, the butler reported in a composed voice, “As you instructed, Miss Tate has received her welcome gift.”

Max twirled a pen between his fingers, tugged lightly at his tie, and let a thin smile flicker across his lips–a smile that never touched his eyes.

“I’m sure she’ll absolutely love it,” he replied, voice calm and unreadable. No one could be certain exactly who he meant by “she.”

Back at the academy, the spring sports meet was in full swing. The class rallied behind their competitors, cheering loudly, and hardly anyone seemed to notice that Ileana had quietly transferred overnight.

Stella claimed first place in both shot put and the 50–meter dash with ease. With both Alessia and Stella–undeniably the stars of the team–victory for their class was a foregone conclusion.

home the championship, putting a perfect finishing touch on the final event of their

years

begin, with Alessia’s long–distance race up last. “Is your hand alright?” Stella

some ointment on–it’s almost entirely better,” Alessia

Dawson’s remedies always

chatted, Pierce Quinn appeared, carefully balancing two cups of milkshake. “Stella, Alessia–milkshake!” Pierce had memorized everyone’s

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Naturally, since Ileana was nowhere

chorused, taking

chill of grape milkshake and the satisfying chew of

after watching her morning events, leaving Justin and

it,” Pierce grinned. “We owe this year’s trophy to you two–you’re

exchanged a look and

yourself too hard. I’m off