A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 20

Alessia sprawled across the bed, the soft mattress instantly easing the tension in her body. She'd been pampered her whole life—falling asleep was easy, but sleeping well was a whole different story.

Cole must have known that, too. He'd even swapped out her old mattress for something better. She rolled over twice, just starting to drift off when her phone buzzed.

On the other side of the room divider, Ivan was focused on his sketchbook. Alessia didn't bother to hide the call; she answered right away.

"Hello?" Her voice was languid, barely mustering any energy.

"Miss Morton, forced into manual labor? You sound wiped out."

"Venmo me fifty bucks and I'll regale you with my rags-to-riches saga," she shot back.

Cole chuckled, the sound low and warm across the line as his fingers slid over his screen. "All sorted out, then?"

"Yeah. I really am a spoiled princess," Alessia admitted, stretching out on the bed with genuine relief.

Just as she finished speaking, her phone chimed—a new transfer notification. Another hundred thousand dollars.

"Well, Mr. Cole, always so generous. Should I send you a thank-you card or just bow in gratitude?" Alessia accepted the money without a second thought; after all, her own funds went straight into Cole's account these days. Their relationship was far closer than most people imagined.

Cole's laugh rumbled softly through the phone; his voice sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. "It's not like you don't have a place to stay. How long are you planning to keep up this little adventure?"

Alessia sat up, running her fingers through her hair with a careless shrug. "It's actually kind of fun. I'll stick around a while longer."

That evening, Ethan and Zachary returned home together.

"Zachary, you're back! Go grab a shower—school in the morning, remember?" Karen called out as soon as she heard the door open, setting aside what she'd been working on.

"Yeah. I told Ethan about the shop thing yesterday. He waited for me at work and we came back together."

"Ethan's home, too? Have you eaten?"

"By the way, once my internship ends and my current project wraps up, we'll finally be able to move into a bigger place. Lessie, if it ever feels inconvenient, just have Ivan move back to his old room. No reason you should be uncomfortable just for coming home."

"Does he grind his teeth at night?" Alessia asked, deadpan.

The unexpected question caught Ethan off guard, and everyone in the living room burst out laughing.

"No, Ivan sleeps like a rock," Ethan replied, with a touch of exasperation.

Alessia just raised an eyebrow in response. Sensing the topic was getting old, the others let it drop.

"All these renovations must have cost a fortune, right? Lessie, keep your own money—Dad will handle the remodeling costs," Brendan said.

"Actually, Dad, once the shop's up and running and we've got steady clients, I'd like to invest in a storefront for you all. Of course, I'll be taking a cut of the profits. How does that sound?"