A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 441

Alessia had never cared about her family’s background, nor did she ever use it to flaunt herself or put others down. She’d built her reputation through sheer determination and hard work, earning the respect–and sometimes the fear–of everyone around her.

That’s exactly why she despised people who looked down on others just because they came from a privileged family.

She rarely spoke so bluntly, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t. If someone wanted to play hardball, Alessia had no qualms about using their weaknesses against them.

“You wouldn’t want me to have a little chat with your parents, would you?” There was no mistaking the threat in Alessia’s words.

Helena had used her family status to mock others–well, Alessia had no problem using her own to shut her down. Respect, after all, went both ways; some people just didn’t deserve it.

Helena gritted her teeth, shooting a venomous glare at Joyce, who was half–hidden behind Alessia.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered.

Alessia wasn’t about to let her off so easily.

“About your parents‘ latest business deal—”

“I’m sorry!” Helena blurted, picking at her nails and raising her voice so there could be no doubt about her apology.

Satisfied, Alessia nodded and turned to Joyce, who silently returned the

gesture.

Before Joyce even realized Alessia was talking to her,

are you

1028

you

made Joyce

told you before? When someone talks down to you,

looking to keep the peace, quick to apologize or back down before things

could just switch off, not with the

friends kept trying to talk sense into her,

said wasn’t wrong.” Joyce forced a smile,

smell of old money? Or champagne

a puppy now?” Joyce

eyes were filled with helpless affection; she wanted Joyce to see herself clearly, but didn’t know how to

of this kind of insecurity. I wish I could be as confident as you, but I just… I’m

nerve.”

turned quiet, and the mood grew

Alessia said, giving

you keep hunching over, you’ll never see the sky. Every time you look up, the view is different–rosy dawn, starry night–it’s

together, unsure how she even made it back to the