A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Yeah, if things really go south for me, you’d better remember to take me in when I’m out on the street.”

Max was still the same Max. Two–thirds of what he said was a joke, and you could never take him too seriously.

“Honestly, you camping out on a park bench sounds about right,” Alessia shot back, rolling her eyes.

Laughter echoed from the other end of the line–light, easy.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.”

Only then did Alessia feel a genuine sense of relief. She looked up, her gaze landing on the framed photo on her desk, and for reasons she couldn’t quite name, her mood soured.

“If you really do go bankrupt one day, I suppose I could let you crash at my place.”

She didn’t bother waiting for Max’s response, simply hung up.

The dial tone droned on. Max, lips curled in a faint grin, didn’t seem bothered at all.

Lately, Tate Holdings had been a mess. These past couple days, he’d barely managed three hours of sleep in total. He rubbed his brow and leaned back in his chair, feeling lighter after that call–the exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

“Ungrateful brat. Guess she does have a conscience after all.”

He muttered as he looked at the darkened phone screen. But a second later, the

screen lit up again.

He straightened, voice and posture

tomorrow, lunch at The Gables. Don’t forget you’re meeting the Winston family’s daughter.”

flat, emotionless, as if

the state Tate Holdings is in. We need the Winston investment–there’s no room for mistakes. I trust

didn’t bother

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12:42

Chapter

care about his attitude. As soon as he got

cold laugh, tossed his phone onto the table, and didn’t

the next day he showed up at

arrived, Max was already seated, staring absently out

investment the only lifeline, she knew she held all

arm. A waiter hurried to pull out her chair,

the commotion, Max turned his

dressed, his sharp features and effortless elegance exactly as she’d hoped. Of course, Sienna had reviewed his background before agreeing to this meeting. With her pedigree, she had her pick of suitors,

his looks–were hard to

paper, Max was exactly what