A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 332

“Whose kid are you, anyway? I bet only parents with no manners could raise a brat like you!”

“Oh, so you think letting your grandson throw a tantrum in the gallery somehow makes you a model citizen?” York shot back, undeterred by the man’s age or status. He’d never learned to back down, not even to adults.

Hamilton hadn’t expected to be put in his place by a child. His wrinkled face flushed crimson, and he jabbed his cane against the hardwood floor in a fit of anger.

“And what’s your problem with this painting, huh? Maybe if your grandson had half the skill, you wouldn’t have to complain. Or is all this shouting because you tried to buy off the judges, and it still didn’t work out for you?”

York might look young and a bit clueless, but his logic was razor sharp. He’d heard every word Tammie spat out earlier, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what Hamilton had tried to pull.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” Hamilton’s voice dropped dangerously low.

“Don’t I? Wasn’t it your grandson who said it out loud? Or did he inherit your senility and start making things up too?”

York stared up at Hamilton, his gaze unwavering.

“You-!” Hamilton, at a loss for words, lifted his hand as if to strike. Ivan flinched in alarm and grabbed York, yanking him out of harm’s way.

York was surprised by Ivan’s sudden strength–maybe it was adrenaline, or maybe he just hadn’t expected Ivan to step in. Either way, he found himself pulled tightly against Ivan’s chest, held protectively.

He blinked, startled, and looked up to see Ivan clenching his eyes shut, his whole body trembling.

York pressed his lips together, emotions warring on his face–mostly worry.

“You okay, York?” Ivan finally managed, his voice shaky and his hands trembling.

York straightened and shook his head, putting a reassuring hand on Ivan’s arm. For a moment, he couldn’t tell who was supporting whom.

The slap never came. Alessia, face like thunder, knocked Hamilton’s hand aside with a cold glare.

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“York, take Ivan and get some air.” Her voice was steady, her eyes never leaving

Hamilton.

Hamilton felt a chill run down his spine under her gaze. Even Tammie, sensing the shift, fell silent and scurried behind her grandfather.

It took Hamilton a moment to realize he’d just been cowed by a teenage girl, and the humiliation only made him angrier.

York, noticing Ivan’s distress and knowing exactly what memories Ivan was fighting, didn’t waste another second. He took Ivan’s hand and led him to a quiet corner.

By now, nearly everyone in the gallery had gathered around to watch the scene unfold.

“Oh, look at you, Hamilton,” Alessia’s voice rang out, sharp and clear. “So quick to hide your own guilt, but the moment a kid calls you out, you lose your temper and try to hit someone? Really showing your true colors today, aren’t you?”

“Alessia! You again!” Hamilton’s face was almost purple with rage. Being called out so publicly by a child–and now this girl–was more than he could bear.

“If you’re so confident in your grandson’s painting, then why not put it on display right here?” Alessia continued, her tone icy. “Let everyone see for themselves if Dale Reeves really made a mistake, or if someone’s just mad their bribes didn’t work.”

“And where’s your proof I bribed anyone? For all we know, it could’ve been someone else!”

Hamilton spluttered, not realizing he’d walked straight into Alessia’s trap.

His outburst had just confirmed what everyone was already whispering: someone had tried to buy off the judges to win the exhibition spot, and now the whole room knew it.

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Chapter 333

Chapter 333