A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 433

“No, thank you. We’re not interested,” Alessia replied, her tone crisp and direct as she turned down the invitation.

The man clearly hadn’t expected her to refuse. He glanced back at his friends, who were all watching eagerly, hoping for some entertainment.

But instead of helping, his friends only egged him on, silently urging him to keep trying.

“Oh, come on, gorgeous,” he pleaded. “How about this: if you win, you keep the pot; if you lose, I’ll cover your losses. Just play one round with us, alright? My buddies are all waiting to see me make a fool of myself–if you don’t join in, they’ll be teasing me about it for the rest of the year. You two are beautiful and kind–help me out here, won’t you?”

He motioned to his friend, who quickly came over with a stack of poker chips.

Setting the chips on the table, he draped an arm around Yves’s shoulders. “Come on, ladies, don’t be so uptight. We all know why people come to these parties–no need to be so serious. We’re all just here to have a little fun.”

His words made Joyce frown. There was something in his tone that made her uncomfortable, as if there was a hidden meaning behind his words.

Alessia, however, remained expressionless. She picked up a chip, tossed it into the air, and caught it smoothly on the back of her hand.

“Wow, looks like you know your way around a game,” Yves said, his interest in Alessia clearly piqued.

Wanna play?” Alessia turned to Joyce, her voice gentle. For some reason, the moment felt oddly intimate, as if Alessia were a strong and confident partner indulging her shy

don’t know how,” Joyce whispered quietly in Alessia’s

might as well play a couple rounds

1/3

10:03

Chapter 433

the time,” Alessia

her long dress swayed

her, Alessia grabbed a wine glass from the table and, without hesitation, tossed its contents straight into

across him, dripping down his cheeks and soaking a large patch of his designer casual

wrong with you?” he shouted. “Can’t

friends snapped out of their shock, immediately rushing to his defense. One girl hurriedly pulled several napkins from the dispenser, handing them to Yves while shooting Alessia a

closed in, Joyce hurriedly got to her feet, stepping in front of Alessia and shielding her

her palms were clammy with nervous sweat, but

Joyce’s head and lowered Joyce’s protective hand. Joyce glanced back

know who I am?” Alessia asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked at

his gentlemanly act entirely. “What, too good for us? You think you’re some kind of saint because you turned me