A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 432

“You should have told me you were coming. I would’ve come down to meet you.”

“It’s fine,” Joyce replied.

“That dress really suits you–you have great taste, you know.” Fortune’s compliment was so direct that Joyce was momentarily at a loss for words. Only then did Fortune seem to notice Alessia.

“Oh, Miss Morton! I didn’t expect to see you back. What an honor.” Fortune extended a hand, but Alessia didn’t take it.

She glanced at Joyce, who looked uneasy, turning her head slightly to avoid Alessia’s gaze.

“I have to say, I didn’t expect you to be hosting tonight,” Alessia remarked, her tone laced with meaning.

Fortune withdrew her hand, showing no hint of embarrassment. “Well, now that you’re here, why not make the most of it? It’d be rude to just leave, don’t you think? We’re all young–whatever happened before, that was my fault. I hope you’ll let it go.”

Just then, a waiter passed by. Fortune snapped her fingers, took a tall glass from the tray, and handed it to Alessia. There’s a saying: no one hits a smiling face. Alessia accepted the glass with an ambiguous smile, saying nothing.

it weren’t for you, I’d never have had a chance to clear the

managed an awkward smile, taking the

and as the host, I should be looking after you. Something’s come up and I need to step out for a bit,

Chapter 434

an apologetic smile. “Later, drinks are on me–lowe you both. For now, enjoy yourselves. Here, take this chip–if

Joyce on the shoulder, offered Alessia another apologetic smile, and

Joyce hung her head, clutching her dress like

“Didn’t I already tell you?

throng, but toward a quieter corner, choosing

chaos–a lone lily blooming in the shadows, strikingly beautiful yet impossible to approach. She casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear; every small movement drew the eye, her presence

the spotlight–no matter where she stood, even among her own privileged peers, she was the one

noticed.

Joyce followed.

be the contrast that made Alessia shine brighter–but so what? Most people

chin, Joyce straightened her back, just as Alessia had told her, and

table between them. Neither spoke. The silence was so