A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 203

During the halftime break, the cafeteria swung open its doors and filled with the buzz of families reuniting for lunch. The Morton brothers trailed along with the crowd, but by the time they reached the dining area, only Stella was left waiting.

“Stella!” Justin Keane called out, walking over with Stella’s father, Dave Laine, in tow. The Morton brothers followed a few steps behind.

“Oh, Liam Morton?” Stella waved, her surprise clear when she spotted Liam at the back, but she greeted him with easy confidence.

Liam nodded. “Congrats on making the finals.”

His voice was calm, polite but not overly enthusiastic–just the sort of tone you’d use with an acquaintance you bumped into by chance.

Justin shot Liam a brief look and positioned himself beside Stella, with Dave quietly standing on her other side.

“Thanks.” Stella accepted the congratulations without a hint of awkwardness, meeting Liam’s eves

“Hey, this is Stella,” Justin said to his brother. “She used to own the bar where I played gigs, and she’s a friend of Lessie’s.”

Stella glanced over at Ethan Morton. “Hi, I’m Stella. You must be Lessie’s older brother, right?”

“Nice to meet you, Stella,” Ethan replied.

“As for Lessie… She said she had to head over to the gym for something. If you go straight ahead and take a left, the signs will lead you there,” Stella explained, pointing out the way. She’d planned to go with Alessia, but Alessia insisted she’d be back soon and wanted Stella to stay with her dad. With the Morton brothers now here, Stella felt more at ease.

“Thanks. We’ll find her, then” Ethan said, and he and Liam moved to leave.

“Stella, you have to see this video I got of you–absolutely awesome!” Justin grinned, waving his phone.

“Let me see the photos first!” Stella demanded, reaching for his camera.

“Photos? Uh… I’ll show you those later.” Justin’s voice had a suspicious edge as he tried to hide the camera.

“Why later? You’ve got the camera right there! Stella frowned and snatched it out of his hand. Justin made a half–hearted attempt to grab it back, but Stella’s glare stopped him cold.

Dave just watched them with a quiet, amused smile as the two squabbled.

“Justin! What on earth did you take these for?” Stella cried out in mock horror.

What followed were Justin’s desperate pleas for mercy, echoing through the

cafeteria.

Liam let a small smile play at the corners of his mouth as Justin and Stella’s playful bickering faded behind him. He shook his head slightly but didn’t slow his

pace.

“If it doesn’t feel right, you’ve got to walk away before it’s too late,” Ethan said quietly as they left.

Liam paused, surprised, then relaxed and nodded. “I know.”

Meanwhile, over by the gym, Alessia and Cole walked side by side.

“You wanted to know how I figured out I was Miss Tate, didn’t you?” Alessia teased, flashing her phone at Cole. “Meet me at the gym.”

She showed him a text from Ileana, her expression half amused, half wary.

“At least she had the sense to pick lunchtime, when everyone would be in the cafeteria,” Alessia remarked.

“If she were really smart, she wouldn’t have messed with you to begin with,” Cole muttered, rolling his eyes.

Alessia grinned, clearly agreeing, but didn’t bother to reply.

“We’re nearly there. I’d better go,” she said as they reached the gym’s entrance. Cole caught her hand before she could leave.

“Be careful, okay?”

Alessia nodded, waving her phone, its screen glowing with an active call.

Cole gently cupped her face, a mix of frustration and affection in his expression, but all he could do was watch as she walked away.

Just before Alessia entered the gym, she threw a quick glance back in Cole’s direction, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. The space was almost deserted. She looked up and spotted Ileana standing alone in the second–floor

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gallery, watching her with a cold, unsettling stare.

“What’s wrong, lleana?” Alessia called out. “You Invite me over and now you’re too scared to face me?”