A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 130

“I’m not going anywhere, so you can just relax. An old man like me isn’t about to hire someone who’s sick to work for him.”

“What about the person who brought me here?”

“You mean Alessia? She’s in the other room changing clothes. That little girl’s stronger than she looks–carried you all the way here. Mind telling me what happened?”

Six fell silent.

“I think I can guess,” Xander went on. “She’s young, but she’s got some sense of responsibility. What about your parents?”

“They’re dead.” Six’s reply was flat, with not a hint of emotion.

Now it was Xander’s turn to fall silent.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. Honestly, it’s probably better this way.”

“What’s your name?”

“Six.”

“Six? Like the number?”

“It’s just easy to say.” No last name, not even an attempt to pretend.

Six lay back on the bed and gave a bitter little laugh at himself.

“So where do you live? What school do you go to?”

“I can stay anywhere.” He was alone, after all–what did it matter where he lived? “I don’t go to school anymore. It’s pointless.”

Teachers, classmates, the good and the bad–he found them all exhausting.

Xander was at a loss for words. Just then, the door creaked open and Alessia came in, holding a shoebox.

“Father.”

“Hmm. Did you drink the ginger tea?”

“I did.” Alessia opened the box and set a pair of shoes by the bed. She stood up and, pulling away the towel, finally realized Six was awake.

11:55 1

“You’re up? Your old shoes didn’t make it, so here’s a new pair. Thanks for you

help, by the way.” Her tone was casual, as If she was just asking about the weather “They were pretty much falling apart anyway.”

“Then perfect–you’ve got new ones.” Alessia draped the towel back over his forehead.

Six was caught off guard by her straightforwardness and found himself at a loss for words, while Xander couldn’t help but chuckle.

“That’s just how she is. Go on, put them on. She already cut the tags off, and there aren’t any other kids your age around here. No one else will use them.”

“…Thank you,” Six murmured.

“Those supplements–are they for him?” Alessia picked up one of the bottles, sniffed it, and set it back down.

“He’s in decent shape, just a bit malnourished. Let’s work on that first; once he’s eating well, he’ll start growing.”

“No need. I’m leaving soon anyway.” Six knew they were talking about him.

“Leaving? Where to? Are you coming back tomorrow? If you are, I’ll have to start the soup early. You know, if you never grow taller than five feet, you’ll have a hard time finding a girlfriend.”

“I’m not coming back. I’ll pay you back when I’ve earned the money.” Six took off the towel and, this time, carefully sat up.,

“You’re not even eighteen. You can’t get a job. What are you going to do, rob a bank? Even if you pay us back when you turn eighteen, that’s, what, eight years from now? And with inflation these days… that’s not exactly a great deal.”

Alessia turned toward him, arms folded.

“So what do you want me to do?” Six’s lips tightened into a thin line.

words made Six look over at her, wary.

“Well, I do have an idea.” Alessia’s t

“Judging by the look of you, you’re used to skipping meals. Why not stay here?” Alessia sized him up.

“Are you feeling sorry for me?”

“Is there anything about you that needs pity?” Alessia shot back without missing a beat, leaving Six momentarily speechless. She just kept talking as if she hadn’t

noticed.

“You seem all right, and my father could use an extra hand around here now that he’s getting older. Want to give it a try? I’ll be up front–meals and a bed are covered, but there’s no salary. Basically, you’d be working for free.”

“Working for free…”

“Getting old…”

That last bit hit both Xander and Six right where it hurt.