A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 141

Chapter 141

York looked genuinely puzzled. Alessia pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for quiet, and slowly made her way toward the corner. This time, learning from before, she didn’t reach out impulsively. Instead, she simply sat down in front of Ivan.

“Ivan…” Alessia softened her voice.

York couldn’t help but gawk, his mouth practically hanging open in disbelief, but he restrained himself and looked away, pretending not to care.

“Did Ileana do something to you?”

“Can’t say. Hurts.” Ivan’s voice was halting and childlike, his language rusty from years of silence–he could understand them just fine, but speaking was another matter, his words less fluent than a toddler’s.

Still, Alessia and York understood exactly what he meant.

“She bullied him, didn’t she? Wouldn’t surprise me. If it weren’t for Rex, I’d be the one

in the hospital right now. That woman’s vicious–makes me look like a saint!”

Alessia couldn’t help but laugh at the last part, though it was tinged with exasperation. “At least you’re self–aware.”

York just huffed, clearly unbothered by the accusation–if anything, he seemed proud of it.

Gone was the pitiful, sulking boy from just a minute ago.

Alessia turned her attention back to Ivan.

She reached out, palm up.

“Come here. I promise–it won’t hurt anymore.”

Ivan’s eyes were wide and innocent, like a startled fawn peering through the trees. He looked at Alessia, fear slowly ebbing away, then placed his hand hesitantly into

hers.

Alessia smiled, her expression softening. She reached up and ruffled his hair, her mood lightening with his trust.

“York, come here,” she called, beckoning with a finger.

“What for?” York grumbled, putting on a show, but he shuffled over anyway. He

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Chapter 141

inched along the sofa, stubbornly refusing to make it easy, but Alessia made no move to hurry him, just watched in quiet amusement.

“How is she now?” Alessia asked.

“Last I heard, she broke a bone. She’s at Harmony General, laid up in bed.” York’s tone dripped with contempt as he rolled his eyes.

“I want to go back to Merovia! This place sucks,” he declared, sulking.

Alessia knew he was just pouting. She reached over and pinched his cheek. “No running off. Behave, okay?”

“You’re leaving?” York caught on quickly.

“Someone’s gotta clear my name, right? I’m not about to take the fall for

I didn’t do. Besides…” Alessia stood up, her eyes suddenly sharp.

“There are questions that need answers.”

York’s face lit up. “I’ll go with you!”

“No way. Stay put.” Alessia pushed him gently back down.

“You two–get along, no fighting, no arguing. I’ll be back soon.”

ething

The two boys exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away, making it clear that neither was thrilled about being left alone together.

Alessia sighed, but let it go. She quietly left the room.

“Mom, I’m heading out for a bit. Keep an eye on York for me, and if he causes trouble, just call.”

“Where are you

face.

off to in such a rush?” Karen called after her, concern etched on her

“Oh, and by the way, York’s staying over tonight. I’ll take him home in the morning. He had a fight at home, so he’s sulking a little.”

“All right.” Karen glanced at the open bedroom door, then hurried after her daughter. “Will you be back tonight?”

“I will.” Alessia slipped on her shoes and pulled open the front door. “I’m off.”

“This girl, always in such a hurry…” Karen muttered under her breath, but worry still clouded her features. She leaned over the balcony, watching Alessia disappear around the corner while talking on her phone, before finally heading back inside.

Chapter

The two boys still didn’t look like they wanted anything to do with each other, but at least they didn’t seem ready to come to blows, either. Rex, the family dog, wagged his tail hopefully at Karen, who just offered an awkward smile and didn’t dare step

into the room.

Chapter 142