A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

As Eddie spoke, his eyes shimmered with quiet sorrow, though his tone remained gentle and soft.

Dale Reeves glanced at him in profile, not quite understanding but nodding anyway. He patted Eddie’s shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

In the backseat, York was animatedly recounting to Ivan how stunned he’d been when he learned Dale Reeves was taking him to France. With mock seriousness, he insisted that Ivan wasn’t allowed to ditch him and run off abroad–after all, he

hadn’t followed Yvonne overseas either.

Returning to the familiar confines of the car, Ivan visibly relaxed, answering York’s plea with a warm, patient smile.

Up front, Alessia turned her gaze to Cole, who was driving.

“What brings you here? And so perfectly on time?”

“The other day, when I picked you up at the Quincy place, you mentioned Ivan was competing in Dale Reeves‘ event. Turns out, Hamilton’s grandson was in it too. Just in case, I had someone keep an eye on things. Did a bit of digging, gathered some evidence, but it didn’t affect the outcome, so I let it be.”

Alessia nodded, prompting Cole to go on.

“I saw the online voting and figured I’d have Larkin Yardley drop me here first. He’s off inspecting the training facility alone.”

Meanwhile, Larkin, elsewhere, rubbed his itching nose but kept his professional composure, listening intently as the manager rattled off introductions.

a month–he’d earned

the

did I make it

and gave his cheek a playful squeeze. Cole started to protest, but caught sight

rolled forward again, and Alessia’s

usually just messaged

rare.

09 39 1

“Lessie…”

him! It’s over!” Stella Laine’s voice cut in before Queenie Windsor

worked up about this

used

at the pub. Want

mirror. “I’ll swing by in

tonight. I can’t handle her on my own.” Queenie’s

hung up, Cole let out a resigned

like date