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.

maybe he just hadn’t expected Ivan to step in. Either way, he found himself pulled tightly against Ivan’s chest,

to see Ivan clenching his eyes shut,

lips together, emotions warring

managed, his voice shaky and his

on Ivan’s arm. For a moment, he couldn’t tell who was supporting

came. Alessia, face like thunder, knocked Hamilton’s hand aside with

20.28

Chapter

some air.” Her

Hamilton.

felt a chill run down his spine under her gaze. Even Tammie, sensing the shift, fell silent

to realize he’d just been cowed by a teenage girl, and the

waste another second. He took Ivan’s hand and led him to a

gallery had gathered around to watch the