A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 356

“My old man is already starting to hand over the family business to me. This is just one of my new ‘assignments.” Stella accepted a cocktail from the waiter, a hint of resignation in her voice.

Alessia understood. At their age, it was almost a rite of passage to start taking over family affairs. Engagements and arranged marriages usually happened around this time too–it was all about securing the future of both families‘

businesses.

Couples like Stella and Justin, who were a perfect match both in status and affection, were rare exceptions.

Queenie, on the other hand, was doted on by her parents, the apple of their eye. She had the freedom to do whatever she pleased; her parents would support her no matter what. Because of her health, they’d be more than happy if she found a husband willing to move in and stay with the family forever. Even if she chose not to get married at all, they wouldn’t utter a word of protest.

There were a few, like Alessia, who broke away from their families and became self–reliant, but they were the exception. Most people chose to marry someone from a comparable background.

It made sense–similar upbringing, similar spending habits. Compared to ordinary couples, they could skip a lot of the usual friction and adjustment.

None of them were particularly interested in mingling or making connections tonight. They just wanted to make an appearance and then retreat to a quiet corner to chat. That’s where they stayed, talking amongst themselves, until the lights dimmed and the evening’s main event began.

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Thank you all for making time in your busy schedules to attend my son’s engagement to Sienna, daughter of The Winston Group…”

The same opening speech they’d all heard countless times–just the names changed, but the format never did. Everyone knew their cue: polite applause when the speech ended, then move on.

Fortune appeared at the top of the grand staircase in a tailored suit, hand in hand with Sienna, who wore a pale blue gown glittering with diamonds.

Alessia recognized the dress immediately. It was A&P’s latest limited–edition design, just released by Cole this season. The gown was adorned with nothing but

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the highest quality gems, each worth at least a million, and the dress must have been covered in thousands.

Clearly, the Thornes and the Winstons were willing to spare no expense for this engagement. Alessia nodded in approval–if there was money to be made, she was all for it. After all, who would turn down a profit?

The formalities wrapped up quickly. Just as everyone thought the event was winding down, Sienna took the microphone.

“Thank you again for coming tonight. I have one more announcement to make. Next Thursday at 2 p.m., my personal jewelry brand, Evergreen Collection, will be holding its debut show and exhibition. The jewelry I’m wearing tonight is one of the pieces from the collection. This is my first launch event at home, and it would mean the world to me if you could attend.”

Applause broke out again. Only then did Alessia really look at the necklace around Sienna’s neck. It was stunning, to be sure, but with so many gemstones already catching the eye on her dress, the necklace was almost lost in the sparkle. If Sienna hadn’t pointed it out, Alessia probably wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

“Next Thursday at two?” Stella repeated, pausing for a moment. “Queenie, isn’t your showcase at two on Friday?”

“The timing’s a little suspicious, don’t you think?” Queenie’s gaze lingered on the necklace at Sienna’s throat.

“There’s something even fishier,” Alessia added.

“What is it?” Stella asked, leaning in.

“The necklace she’s wearing looks almost identical to one of the pieces in Queenie’s Tree of Life Collection, which she’s planning to debut on Friday.”

Queenie nodded. “The similarity is at least eighty percent.”