A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“After everything that happened with Lessie, we realized we can’t just sit back and let life pass us by anymore.”

Karen nodded in agreement, while Alessia looked a little confused.

“Ever since The Morton Group went under, I’ve been bitter about it, but there wasn’t much I could do. I kept telling myself I’d start over, but when your whole world’s in pieces, you don’t even know where to begin. I just didn’t have the energy or resources I had when I was younger. Eventually, reality hit me hard. I tried finding a regular job, thought I could just live an ordinary life, but doors kept closing on me wherever I went.”

Those first months after the bankruptcy were the darkest days of Brendan’s life. He’d dreamed of making a comeback, but the fire and funds were gone. The setbacks piled up, and the idea of starting over seemed impossible. If it hadn’t been for his family’s support and encouragement, he might have given up altogether.

“Then Lessiè came along, and slowly, things started turning around. The house felt warmer, life got a little easier… Your mom’s cooking and Lessie’s shop kept us afloat. I finally had something to do, even if it was just helping your mom out at the restaurant and taking some of the weight off her shoulders. But sometimes! wondered–maybe I’m the most useless one in the family after all.”

“Dad…” Ethan and the others stared at him, surprised to hear him talk this way.

Brendan just waved them off with a small smile. “I know you don’t see me like that. I’m just overthinking it. Honestly, I’ve made peace with the idea of running the little diner with your mom for the rest of our days. Watching you kids grow into your own people has made us proud,”

absentmindedly running her thumb over the contract in her hand. Her other hand squeezed Brendan’s

hit us–our own family ended up being mocked,

We want to turn the restaurant into a chain. Someone actually came by a while ago–wanted to partner up. We turned him down at first, but he left his business card and said we could call if we ever changed our

he pulled the card from his pocket and placed it on

1/2

09:57

Chapter 313

eccentric. He only backs things he personally likes, but he’s got a hand in just about every industry. If he’s interested in the restaurant, getting a chain off the ground won’t

did our homework on him,

comes the need for branding, merchandise, all that. If we’re going to scale up, we’ll need a reliable partner for

friend who runs

Brendan’s instincts and experience as a founder were still sharp. Years