A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“How about we grab some bubble tea later? My treat. There’s a new place that opened up–people from the club say it’s really good.” Esme hugged her books as the four of them left class, ready to drop their stuff and head out for a meal.

“I’ll treat you guys to noodles from that place behind campus then. Got paid for my part–time gig, finally.” Mia waved her phone with a grin.

“I… uh, I…”

“You? You’ll just help me keep these two bosses happy,” Alessia nudged Joyce’s arm with a laugh. “We can grab some candied fruit or something for them as a palate cleanser after.”

The four girls chatted and joked, their conversation as ordinary and easy as any group of friends at college.

Then a black car pulled up, and a man in a tailored suit stepped out.

The group stopped short. Alessia recognized him immediately–the Quincy family’s

butler.

“Lessie, who’s that?” Esme whispered. The others eyed him warily.

“Don’t worry,” Alessia replied, stepping away from her friends.

respectfully, “Mr. Quincy invites you to

Alessia let out a dry chuckle, noticing

summons.”

how you choose to see it, Miss Morton.” The butler’s years of service showed in his

back at her friends. Better to deal with this all at once than keep getting interrupted every other day. Besides, curiosity tugged at her–she

books to Esme. “I’ve got to run an errand. Won’t

rush. We’ll eat together next time–the restaurant’s not

1/2

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can order bubble tea when

are you sure it’s

call Cole in an hour and have him pick me up at Quincy Manor.” Cole had left his card with their dorm, just in case they ever needed

always like this–never reckless, never timid. She had a way of covering her bases so that no matter what, she’d have an escape. If the road ahead was a minefield, she’d still step

Take care,

seen people come to pick up Alessia before, but never with this kind of

in the car, her friends dashed back to the dorm to call

the car pulled up. The butler got out and opened her door; she waited, unmoving,