A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 287

The name sounded familiar, but that split second of hesitation was enough for the guy to take a step closer.

Alessia frowned, immediately putting some space between them.

“Mind your distance.”

Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

“Hey, we’re all freshmen here. No harm in getting to know each other, right?” Fortune reached out as if to grab her hand, but Alessia dodged him just in time–only to find herself pulled gently into someone’s arms.

She instantly relaxed. Even without seeing his face, she recognized that familiar

scent.

“Didn’t you hear her? She said she wants you to back off. Maybe try taking a hint?” Cole glanced pointedly at Fortune’s outstretched hand, his meaning clear.

Fortune didn’t look the least bit embarrassed. He just smiled and withdrew his

hand.

“I know you–Cole! CEO of the Whitley Group. Nice to meet you. I’m Fortune.”

Cole hardly bothered to respond, simply giving a curt nod.

“What are you doing here? Weren’t we supposed to meet at the entrance?” Alessia

asked.

“There weren’t many people out there. I waited for a bit, but when you didn’t show, I figured I’d come inside and look for you.”

They slipped easily into conversation, ignoring everyone else around them,

“Come on, let’s grab something to eat,” Cole said.

Alessia nodded, and the two of them walked out hand in hand, leaving Fortune behind as if he were invisible.

Fortune watched them go, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

“Must be nice, having everything fall into your lap at such a young age,” he muttered, his expression darkening, the cheerful facade from moments before slipping away. “Some people have to claw their way up for a shot at that.”

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sterilize them.

“Fortune–is he the one from the Thorne family?”

“Yeah. I heard he won over Patriarch Thorne as soon as he got back, and now he’s being showered with all kinds of resources. I thought he was returning to take over the Thorne Group, but I guess he’s here to start college instead.”

Alessia nodded, recalling something Max had once said.

“I heard he and Ileana were a thing. Are they planning some kind of alliance?”

Cole shook his head and placed a peeled shrimp in her bowl. Before she knew it, a little mountain of them had formed.

“The Tate family’s barely holding on these days. The Thornes won’t let their sole heir marry someone who can’t bring any benefit to the family.”

Alessia nodded again; she hadn’t heard anything about Ileana returning home,

anyway.

Besides, they were all outsiders–no point in dwelling on other people’s business. When they finished eating, Larkin was already waiting for Cole by the door.

They shared a quick kiss before reluctantly parting ways.

After Cole left, Alessia made her way back to the dorm at a leisurely pace. The door was half–open, and she could hear voices from inside.

“Who was the first one to move in? I saw all those fancy skincare brands on her desk–some of them cost a fortune! There were even a few I didn’t recognize.”

The voice was loud, but there was no malice, just plain astonishment.

“She looks like one of those rich girls. Everything she has is either a designer label or something I’ve never even seen before. None of it’s cheap junk–the quality’s obvious. Maybe it’s all custom made?”

“Or maybe she’s just trying to look rich,” another girl chimed in, her tone sharp, clearly skeptical,

“She barely brought anything with her. Local girl?”

“Locals don’t show up this early.”

“Do you think she’ll be hard to get along with?” The last voice was timid, tinged with

worry.

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Chapter 287

“No idea. She hasn’t been back all morning–probably out eating somewhere.” As the girl spoke, Alessia heard the unmistakable slurp of a drink.

Alessia raised an eyebrow, composed as ever, and pushed open the door. Inside, three girls sat cross–legged on their beds, takeout containers in hand, staring at her in surprise.

She merely nodded politely in greeting, unfazed by their scrutiny.

“You must be the last one joining us in 206, right?” The bubbly girl who’d been

talking first set aside her takeout and grabbed a napkin, wiping her mouth as she spoke.

Chapter 288

Chapter 288