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

glanced over and gave her arm a gentle squeeze–a

exchanged a look. Joyce couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, not even sure why

a soft chime, the

those

just people. Nothing to be scared of, right?” she

10:03

Chapter 43

Alessia,

Just people,” Alessia

by Alessia’s reassuring gaze, let out a shaky breath, closed her eyes for a split second, and

already set, the top

by elegant pastries and a tower of sparkling champagne. As they walked down the corridor, the distant sounds

glanced at the beautiful pastries, untouched and perfectly arranged, and pressed her

like these that the differences between

obvious.

had was in college, a gift from Alessia and her friends. For these rich kids, though, pastries were nothing

home, even when the most respected elder in the village celebrated his eightieth birthday, the

casual party thrown by this crowd of

collected their invitation, he led them through

on velvet sofas, tables strewn with cards and dice. Joyce’s sharp