A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Whose kid are you, anyway? I bet only parents with no manners could raise a brat like you!”

“Oh, so you think letting your grandson throw a tantrum in the gallery somehow makes you a model citizen?” York shot back, undeterred by the man’s age or status. He’d never learned to back down, not even to adults.

Hamilton hadn’t expected to be put in his place by a child. His wrinkled face flushed crimson, and he jabbed his cane against the hardwood floor in a fit of anger.

“And what’s your problem with this painting, huh? Maybe if your grandson had half the skill, you wouldn’t have to complain. Or is all this shouting because you tried to buy off the judges, and it still didn’t work out for you?”

York might look young and a bit clueless, but his logic was razor sharp. He’d heard every word Tammie spat out earlier, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what Hamilton had tried to pull.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Hamilton’s voice dropped dangerously low.

“Don’t I? Wasn’t it your grandson who said it out loud? Or did he inherit your senility and start making things up too?”

York stared up at Hamilton, his gaze unwavering.

“You-!” Hamilton, at a loss for words, lifted his hand as if to strike. Ivan flinched in alarm and grabbed York, yanking him out of harm’s way.

was adrenaline, or maybe he just hadn’t expected Ivan to

up to see Ivan clenching

pressed his lips together, emotions warring

finally managed, his voice shaky

head, putting a reassuring hand on Ivan’s arm. For a moment, he couldn’t tell who was

Alessia, face like thunder, knocked Hamilton’s

20.28

Chapter

get some air.” Her

Hamilton.

a chill run down his spine under her gaze. Even Tammie, sensing

cowed by a teenage girl, and the

Ivan was fighting, didn’t waste another second. He took

the gallery had gathered around to watch