A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 293

After the others left, Ethan and his two companions followed a waiter to their own private dining room.

They didn’t dive straight into business. Instead, they waited until all the dishes had been served, letting the meal set the mood before finally getting down to the real reason they were there.

“So, she’s the Alessia my grandfather’s always talking about? The old man never stops going on about her. Now that I’ve finally met her in person-”

Before Bacchus could finish, both “sister protectors” fixed him with a sharp look.

He caught on quickly, miming zipping his lips shut.

“You didn’t tell Lessie?” Ethan asked, swirling his fork in the soup. His long, sculpted fingers made even that simple gesture look elegant.

“Why would I tell her? She finally got away from the Tates. Once the Tate family’s been bled dry, whatever’s left of Tate Holdings will go back to her anyway,” Max said, his tone casual, almost dismissive.

Ethan glanced up at him, but let it drop.

Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Alessia and her three friends were still talking about the trio they’d just left behind.

“Lessie, that’s your older brother? Ethan is your brother?” Esme asked, eyes wide. She was a notorious internet addict, and with her radar for handsome guys, she could spot one whether it was the sports channel or the evening news. Law had never interested her, but good–looking men were a different story.

“Yeah,” Alessia nodded.

Joyce murmured, her voice barely above a

is. I was switched at birth. Only found my biological parents last

so sorry–I didn’t know,” Joyce stammered,

“It’s not a big

three of them exchanged glances. For some reason, it felt as

secrets, drawing them closer together. Soon, they

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Chapter 293

things about their

parents would never have let her go to college. They’d hoped she’d start working in a factory after high school, then settle

shared that both her parents were teachers. They held her to strict standards, and she didn’t even like her major–it was

hand, had it easiest. She was an only child in a middle–class family. She never had to worry about anything, but that also meant she had little independence. She’d never even bought her own clothes–her parents took care of

walked and talked, streetlights lit the wide avenue, and other students passed

by the curb. Alessia turned and saw two tall men, bundled up in coats, stepping out. “Third brother?” she called hesitantly, recognizing only his eyes above the scarf. The other man, she couldn’t be bothered

you don’t have to ignore me this completely, do you?” Tristan

glances. Esme frowned but obediently

you

didn’t pick up. Thought I’d drop something off

and realized she’d