A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 255

As soon as Eddie was out of sight, Cole relaxed, the tension draining from his shoulders in an instant.

Alessia swung his hand playfully, then leaned in so close their noses almost

touched.

Cole froze, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his eyes flickered to her rosy lips. “W–what’s up?” he stammered, blinking rapidly before glancing away. There was a guilty edge to his voice, and the tips of his ears turned pink.

“Just watching someone get all jealous for no reason,” Alessia teased, ruffling his hair with a grin.

“I was not jealous,” Cole muttered, his protest barely audible.

Alessia didn’t quite get it, but since Cole never really crossed any lines, she let it go. Besides, she found his little bouts of jealousy pretty endearing.

Even Alessia found Cole’s animosity toward Eddie a bit odd. If he was jealous, it should’ve been of Tristan Hollis. After all, their debut single had been born from three grueling days spent together–writing side by side, living on takeout, tweaking lyrics until dawn. Eddie, on the other hand, had only ever been introduced to Xander through her. That was it.

And honestly, even if Eddie did harbor some feelings for her, he’d never say a word. He wasn’t like Tristan, who could throw caution to the wind. Eddie always chose the safest path, never the boldest. If he sensed things weren’t going his way, he’d retreat before risking it all.

Confessing to Alessia? That was a dead–end street he’d never venture down–he wouldn’t gamble everything just to lose it all.

So why was it that Cole could treat everyone else with the same measured calm, yet when Eddie was around, he acted like he was preparing for battle? Logically, Eddie was the most restrained, the least threatening. If anything, Cole should have felt the most at ease around him.

Alessia couldn’t wrap her/head around it, but if Cole didn’t want to talk, she wouldn’t pry. Within the boundaries of friendship, she didn’t see the need to avoid anyone; if things ever crossed a line, she’d make sure Cole felt secure.

“Come on,” she said gently. “Let me take you home. It’s the holidays–you should be with your family tonight.”

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“Why don’t you stay over?” Cole suggested. “Tomorrow we can go visit Mr. Whitley and the others together.”

“Alright,” she agreed. Cole smiled faintly, ruffling her hair, but his mood was still subdued.

Alessia stopped walking, rose up on her toes, and cupped his face in her hands. “Hey, handsome–don’t look so glum, okay?”

Her eyes were wide and bright, shining under the streetlights like something out of a dream.

Cole couldn’t help but laugh softly and nod.

When they pulled up to her building, a familiar car was already parked out front.

Alessia glanced at Cole, and from his expression, she knew he recognized it too.

“Be nice, okay? No arguments,” Cole said, touching his forehead to hers as he smoothed her hair. His voice was gentle, coaxing.

She rolled her eyes, but her tone was playful. “What could we possibly argue about?” She unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car.

No sooner had she closed the door than a small boy and a golden retriever bounded toward her.

“Alessia Tate!” York’s cheeks were flushed from the cold, his eyes shining as he barreled into her arms.

Rex wagged his tail, circling them with his tongue lolling out, clearly overjoyed.

“Why didn’t you go upstairs?” Alessia asked, wrapping York in a hug and looping her scarf around his neck.

“I asked Ivan, and he said you weren’t home, so we waited down here,” York explained.

Just then, Max Tate stepped out of the car. His long coat made him look even taller and gave him an air of quiet sophistication.

“Family dinner’s over?” he asked.

Alessia nodded. “Yeah. And just so you know, she’s been hanging out with the new heir from the Thorne family.”

“Fortune Thorne?” Max raised an eyebrow. “With Ileana’s naivete, let’s hope she doesn’t end up getting played and thanking them for it.”

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Chapter 255

“Well, that’s her problem now,” Alessia replied with a shrug.