A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Father, I’m fine. What brings you here?” Zachary hurried over to greet him, with Cole and Alessia following suit, offering polite hellos.

Sensing the tension in the air, Stella and Justin quietly moved to stand beside Queenie. The two exchanged a knowing glance; Stella nodded and zipped her lips, signaling that they should keep quiet and stay out of it.

Six, who’d been displaced by Zachary, gave up his spot and immediately noticed Alessia’s red, swollen eyes. With a slight frown, he drifted over to her side.

“What’s this, some kind of theater?” he muttered.

“Just a pity act,” Alessia whispered back.

Six shot her a thumbs–up, then stayed put, watching the standoff between Xander, Zachary, Carlson, and the Chesters.

“Big brother, what are you doing here?” Chester blurted out, clearly surprised by Carlson’s arrival–but also visibly relieved.

“Look at these people, Carl. He’s the one who broke Mom’s ribs. I told him to pay up, but he refuses to admit it–now he’s trying to turn it around and sue us! Can you believe this? Is there any justice left in this world?” Chester jabbed a finger at Zachary, then pointed at everyone else in turn.

to be a lawyer.

glared at his hopelessly clueless brother, wishing he

this is all just a misunderstanding, really.” He turned to Ethan with a forced smile, then glanced at Zachary. “Zachary, you remember me, don’t

injury before, given him acupuncture and prescribed medicine–three, maybe four times

idiot brother never finished school–doesn’t know any better. Don’t take it to heart. Whatever you think we owe,

Chester rattled; he immediately shrank back, trying to disappear. After all, their whole family depended on Carlson–if they made him angry, they’d

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“I…” Zachary looked away.

it were just about him, maybe he’d let it go. But these people had made

for being blunt, but

through Zachary’s doubts like a lifeline,

confidence.