A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Ahem, ahem.” Joyce cleared her throat softly, cheeks tinged pink as she glanced at the two still tangled together.

It was only then that Alessia remembered Joyce was even in the room.

Not that it fazed her–unlike Joyce, Alessia wasn’t so easily embarrassed. She slid calmly out of Cole’s arms, smoothing her hair.

“How’s it looking upstairs?”

“The police are already on the case. They’re escorting everyone to the station for questioning, and I’m guessing it won’t be long before they sweep this area too,” Joyce reported, keeping her voice low…

“You… You’ve been playing me from the start?”

Fortune’s jaw clenched so hard his teeth nearly cracked. Pain radiated from his arm, draining the fight out of him. He lay sprawled on the floor, writhing like some pathetic parasite.

“That’s right. From the very beginning.” Alessia’s gaze was icy as she stared down at him, drawing out her words for emphasis.

“Joyce, you!” Fortune tried to bark out more, but Alessia pressed her heel

hard into his back.

out of him, and shut up

hips, trying–without much success–to look fierce. “Why would I betray the friend who’s looked out for me since

softened even the sternest pose. No

ruffling Joyce’s

knew it was my party from the start?” Fortune

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Chapter 440

eyebrow arching. She nodded, a small, self–assured smile curving her lips–a look that said she

the very start, Fortune hadn’t been the one pulling the strings. If anything, he’d played right into their hands, making it easier for them to get rid of this ticking time bomb before he could do

to understand how it all began, you had to go back to

had planned to leave after dropping Joyce off and doing a little shopping. But something felt off. Joyce was usually upbeat

her goals. It was

Alessia decided she couldn’t just walk away. She headed for the sports field next door, figuring she’d wait

arrived right on time–just in time to catch Helena berating Joyce. “A leopard can’t change its spots. You can slather on all the designer makeup you want, wear whatever labels you like, but you still reek of desperation. Don’t get

Rivers had a nose that sharp–able to sniff out desperation from across the

stood there, pale and speechless, unsure how to respond. Alessia’s sudden arrival was a lifeline;