A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 331

Dale Reeves was starting to get annoyed. This was his exhibition, and now someone was making a scene right in the middle of it.

“Tammie, get up, please. There’s got to be some kind of misunderstanding here. Let’s go home and talk it through,” Hamilton said, his patience for his grandson on full display.

He’d been furious himself when he heard that Tammie hadn’t been selected. Those people had taken his money and couldn’t even handle something so simple! And as for that Dale Reeves–he hadn’t even managed to get a meeting, let alone offer a gift.

“No, I won’t! I want my painting up there! I don’t want to see this one–take it down! You need to tell them to take it down now!” Tammie shrieked, flailing on the floor. The attention from the other guests was starting to get to Hamilton; even his weathered face was burning with embarrassment.

“Tammie, sweetheart, how about Grandpa takes you to the amusement park? I’ll buy you your favorite fried chicken.” Hamilton, forgetting all about his cane, crouched down shakily and tried to hold Tammie’s hand.

“You’re a liar, Grandpa! You promised I’d win first place! You said so! Liar, liar!” Tammie wrenched his hand away, voice cracking with sobs.

Their public meltdown was drawing looks of disapproval from the crowd. Tammie’s outburst, in particular, was making people question whether the competition had really been fair.

Eddie leaned in and translated Tammie’s words for Dale Reeves, whose expression darkened immediately.

Before he could intervene, a small figure darted out ahead of him.

“Stop crying already! You’re so loud! Who do you think you are, demanding they take down someone else’s painting?” York stood towering over Tammie, his confidence unshakable. There wasn’t even a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Dale Reeves glanced over at Alessia, who just shrugged innocently, still holding Ivan’s hand.

Ivan looked worriedly at York. Even though Alessia had given her permission, he was still afraid York would end up getting the short end of the stick. After a brief hesitation, Ivan let go of Alessia’s hand and ran to stand by York’s side.

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Chapter 331

York glanced down at Ivan, who barely reached his shoulder, then quietly slid a hand in front of him, shielding him from the confrontation.

For once, he really did look like a big brother.

Watching all this, Alessia felt an unexpected wave of relief. York, who’d always been a loner and tough as nails, was finally learning how to protect someone else.

Dale Reeves made to step in and break up the drama, but Alessia held him back. She mouthed something, and Dale Reeves quietly withdrew.

“You’re just going to let York charge in there? Aren’t you worried he’ll get hurt?” Eddie asked.

“That little devil isn’t exactly the type to get bullied. Besides, what do you take me for, a ghost?” Alessia folded her arms and watched, amused. This was kid business–let them sort it out themselves. If adults got involved, that would be a whole different story.

Eddie just shook his head, a fond smile on his lips, and stayed by Alessia’s side to watch it all unfold.

On the other side of the room, Tammie finally looked up at York’s voice. Hamilton eyed York too, trying to remember where he’d seen that kid before, but right now, he had bigger problems–he struggled to his feet with the cane, then tried to pull Tammie up, only to be pushed away.

“And who are you supposed to be?” Tammie snapped, brimming with indignation. “Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

“I’m Tammie! You don’t even know who I am?” Tammie got to his feet, chin high and full of self–importance, making the people nearby frown.

“Honestly, just knowing someone like you would drag down my reputation, York shot back, arms crossed. He was two years younger than Tammie, but his posture and presence more than made up for the difference in age.

“Who are you calling trashy?” Tammie’s face flushed red with anger.