A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 1

At the airport's arrival hall, a girl stepped out into the bustle, long hair loose around her shoulders, sunglasses and a mask half-concealing her striking features, wireless headphones resting around her neck. In one hand, she easily carried a small suitcase, her long, pale legs drawing more than a few lingering glances as she passed.

People stared, some whispering, half-convinced they'd just spotted a celebrity in the wild.

She halted, pushing her sunglasses up with a careless touch.

"Miss Alessia." A middle-aged man in a tailored suit appeared before her, head respectfully lowered.

Alessia Tate slid off her sunglasses and tucked them into her collar. The small beauty mark beneath her eye only emphasized her allure.

"Are my parents home?"

"Yes, they've returned," the man replied.

Alessia's expression didn't flicker with excitement or even the slightest hint of nerves. It was as if the people waiting for her were complete strangers.

"Butler, don't forget the rest of my luggage," she reminded, her tone languid.

"Of course, Miss. I'll have it brought to your room shortly."

She nodded and strode out of the airport without another word. The butler Dawson followed at a respectful distance. Outwardly, he betrayed nothing, but inside, he couldn't help but admire Alessia's composure.

If it had been him—if he'd discovered, while traveling, that he'd been switched at birth—he'd have been a wreck, scrambling for the next flight home. It was one thing if the other family rivaled the Tates, but in this case...

A trace of pity crept into Dawson's gaze as he watched Alessia's back. Poor girl, he thought. She probably had no idea what she was about to face.

Alessia felt the weight of his stare but couldn't be bothered to respond. In truth, she wasn't anxious or heartbroken—if anything, she'd almost kept traveling abroad, only booking her return ticket once the Tates were confirmed back.

At the curb, a black sedan waited with its door already open. Alessia didn't break stride, slipped inside, and pulled on her headphones the moment she settled in. The car glided away toward Tate Manor.

She watched the city slide by outside the window, her mood as calm as glass. When she'd first learned she wasn't the Tates' biological daughter, she'd been shocked, of course. But then—relief had washed over her.

She stepped out.

"I'll have your luggage sent up shortly."

"Thank you," Alessia replied quietly, then headed for the manor's broad stone steps. The front door stood open, and Mae, the housekeeper, was waiting.

"Miss Alessia, your parents are in the sitting room," Mae said, setting a pair of slippers by the door.

"Thank you. Please bring me some tea."

"Of course." Alessia slipped into the slippers and strolled inside, unhurried.

In the spacious living room, Mr. and Mrs. Tate sat side by side on the main sofa. Off to one side, perched on the edge of another couch, was a slender girl with her head lowered, hair curtaining her face so completely, it was impossible to make out her features.