A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“I’m going to the restroom,” Stella said, setting her milkshake aside.

Alessia nodded. As soon as Stella left, Alessia’s gaze shifted toward the investors section.

Larkin was leaning in, whispering something to Cole. A moment later, Cole shot to his feet, moving with such urgency that he startled everyone around him.

Cole was never one to break decorum in public, which immediately set off alarm bells in Alessia’s mind. Without hesitation, she kept her eyes on him, and the second he stepped away from the table, she slipped out after him.

When Stella returned, the corner was empty, save for two half–finished cups of milkshake.

She glanced over at the investors‘ seats and realized Cole was gone, too.

Picking up her drink, Stella took a sip and shook her head with a faint smile. She assumed the two had gone off for a secret rendezvous.

Alessia had no time for such leisurely thoughts. Cole almost never lost his composure–unless something had happened to Jade June.

Suppressing a growing sense of dread, Alessia hurried toward the exit, arriving just in time to bump into Cole and Larkin as they rushed out.

“Lessie!” Cole’s voice wavered, betraying a rare tremor.

saw how hard Cole

breathe. We’re

even have to ask

ears and pressing her forehead gently to his,

“Breathe in.”

“Now out.”

Cole obeyed.

e’d

them wasted no more time.

1/3

13:31

the flow

sweat on his palm revealing just how anxious he

all his ruthless confidence in the boardroom, Cole was still just a young man barely out of boyhood. He’d already lost the father he adored, the thought of losing

what’s the situation?” Alessia finally

knew you were at the tournament, so he reached out to me directly.

both Alessia and Cole understood