A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 431

Even so, Joyce was still taken aback by the dazzling opulence as she stepped inside.

“Lessie, is all of this real gold?” she whispered.

Alessia smirked. “Yes, it is.”

Joyce swallowed hard, instinctively hunching her shoulders.

“Already intimidated?” Alessia teased, making Joyce realize she was once again falling into the habit of comparing herself to others.

“Not at all!” Joyce protested, though she could feel her nerves tightening.

“Come on. The party’s on the top floor–we’ll need to take another elevator.” As Alessia spoke, a server approached and offered to show them the way. Alessia

explained why they were there, and after checking their invitation, the server gave a polite nod and led them to the elevator.

Joyce kept close to Alessia, silent the whole way. She didn’t have Alessia’s easy confidence, but she listened to her friend’s advice, straightened her back, and did her best to hide the

inside her.

muttering

the elevator numbers ticked higher, Joyce’s hands grew cold and clammy. Alessia glanced over and gave her arm a gentle squeeze–a small, almost childish gesture, but one

out a soft laugh, not even sure why she was laughing. Alessia’s lips curled into a faint smile

chime, the elevator

stepping through those doors meant entering a

to be scared of, right?”

10:03

Chapter 43

Alessia,

Just people,”

looked at Joyce, and Joyce, encouraged by Alessia’s reassuring gaze, let

the sun had already set, the top floor was bright as

carpets rolled out beneath their feet, flanked by elegant pastries and a tower of sparkling champagne. As they walked down the corridor, the

glanced at the beautiful pastries, untouched and perfectly arranged,

these that

obvious.

Alessia and her friends. For

the village celebrated

party thrown by this crowd of

another server collected their invitation, he led them through a grand hallway

cards and dice. Joyce’s sharp eyes spotted