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

cold and clammy. Alessia glanced over and gave her arm a gentle squeeze–a small, almost childish gesture, but one that startled Joyce out of her anxious

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

chime, the elevator doors

through those doors meant entering a

be

10:03

Chapter 43

she was asking Alessia, herself, or no one in

Just people,” Alessia

at Joyce, and Joyce, encouraged by Alessia’s reassuring gaze, let out a shaky breath, closed her eyes

set,

by elegant pastries and a

and perfectly arranged,

in details like these that

obvious.

first slice of cake she ever had was in college, a gift from Alessia and her friends. For these rich kids, though, pastries were nothing

respected elder in the village celebrated his eightieth birthday, the festivities could

by this crowd of heirs and

their invitation, he led them through a

tables strewn with cards and dice. Joyce’s sharp eyes