After everything that had just happened, Dale Reeves was likely reevaluating the world around him.
With the matter finally resolved, Dale invited Alessia and her group upstairs to the conference room.
“Let me introduce myself properly–Dale Reeves,” he said, extending a hand.
“Alessia.”
“Cole.”
Each shook his hand in turn.
“Are you the one who makes the decisions?” Dale asked, studying Alessia. “You seem pretty young.”
“If it’s about the exhibition, yes, that’s my call.”
“No, actually, there’s something else.” Dale’s tone grew serious. Ivan, who was at the center of all this, seemed to be the only one in the room unsure of what was being discussed.
“I’ve opened a creative arts center for children back in France. If Ivan is willing, I’d like to offer him a place there. I’ll cover his tuition and all living expenses.”
York’s eyes darted anxiously to Ivan. As if afraid Ivan might slip away, York quickly took his hand, gripping it tightly.
Ivan glanced at him, puzzled, but didn’t pull away.
Alessia rested a hand atop Ivan’s head and calmly translated Dale’s proposal for
him.
But when she finished, Ivan didn’t look even a little bit happy.
“I’m sorry, but… I don’t want to go.” Ivan’s voice was quiet, his fingers fidgeting, but there was a resolute strength in the way he said it.
Eddie translated his reply and Dale looked genuinely stunned.
“Why not? You’re incredibly talented. I believe you could create even more powerful, inspiring work. I’ve seen your portfolio–each piece tells its own story. I’ve met countless children and spoken with artists from all over, but none of them have what you have. You’re truly one of a kind!”
00.39
Chapter 338
Alessia refrained from adding her own opinions, relaying Dale’s words to Ivan exactly as spoken.
“I love painting–it helps me express everything I feel. And now, I love it even more because of the people around me. They’ve shown me that art doesn’t have to be something heavy or stifling. It can be warm and full of hope… At least for now, I don’t want to leave.”
Ivan seemed nervous, but he put his feelings into words, one careful sentence at a
time.
York stared at him in surprise; he’d never expected the usually withdrawn Ivan to have such complex thoughts.
“Just think about it, okay? This is a rare opportunity.”
Dale stood up, impatience flickering across his face. Ivan instinctively shrank back, the pressure in the room making him want to disappear altogether.
Sensing Ivan’s distress, Alessia gently patted his back. She lounged in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, looking as relaxed and aloof as a proud Persian cat.
“Mr. Reeves, I suggest you calm down,” she said, her tone light but edged with warning.
Dale told himself he shouldn’t be intimidated by a young girl, yet somehow, he found himself sitting down again almost against his will.
He cleared his throat, trying to cover his embarrassment. “I apologize. I got carried away. It’s just–this really is a wonderful opportunity. If Ivan comes with me to France, he’ll have so many more chances to grow.”
“Mr. Reeves, perhaps you didn’t hear my brother.”
Alessia leaned forward, one hand pressing firmly on the table, her posture radiating
authority.
“He said he doesn’t want to go.”
Dale swallowed hard. In that moment, he realized the girl across from him wasn’t a gentle kitten, but a lioness fiercely protecting her own–and if he pushed any further, she’d tear him to pieces.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power