A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 407

Karen had no idea what had just transpired. Since no one had responded to her, she assumed York was simply being stubborn, so she kept

coaxing him, her tone deliberately upbeat.

“York, didn’t you say you loved my cooking? You weren’t just saying that to make me happy, were you?”

“Of course not!” York shot back instantly. “Your food is the best I’ve ever tasted! No fancy chef from anywhere–home or abroad–can make anything as delicious as you do!”

Karen chuckled. “Well, it’s settled then. Be good, all right? I’ll bring Ivan and your sister Lessie to pick you up, and tonight, Brendan is making us a proper feast!”

York opened his mouth to protest, but Karen didn’t give him the chance. She hung up before he could get another word in.

When she handed the phone back to Alessia, the girl gave her a big thumbs–up. Karen winked playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Come on, let’s go get him,” she said, ruffling Ivan’s hair.

“Yeah!” Ivan’s eyes shone with excitement, his voice unwavering. A beaming smile lit up his face–a kind of happiness Karen had never seen from him before.

Meanwhile, York was still staring at the phone in a daze, sitting in his wheelchair and absentmindedly stroking Rex’s fur.

“Headed to the Mortons‘ place?” Max asked, as if he’d seen this coming. He rolled a small suitcase over to York.

“I packed your clothes and medicine, plus Rex’s food and toys. If you run out, call the housekeeper and he’ll bring you more.”

Max’s face was unreadable, his voice flat and mechanical, as if he were just checking something off a list.

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“Oh.” York pulled the suitcase over with a forced air of indifference, trying to act like the detached grown–up, but his deliberately lowered voice only made him sound more ridiculous.

Not long ago, a scene like this would have been unthinkable.

Back when they’d just returned to the country, it was only because of Alessia that York and Max had teamed up, but somewhere along the way, the dynamic between them had started to shift. Neither of them had

noticed it yet.

The Tates weren’t the sort to wear their hearts on their sleeves–except, perhaps, for Ileana Tate. Most of the time, they kept their feelings to themselves and rarely got too close to anyone, even family.

So the two boys didn’t say much. It wasn’t until the housekeeper announced that Alessia and the others had arrived that Max finally wheeled York out, the housekeeper trailing behind with their luggage.

“York!” Ivan waved as soon as York appeared.

“Ivan!” York was just as thrilled. If his legs worked, he’d have run over in

an instant.

It had only been a short while since they last saw each other, but their excitement made it feel like weeks.

“Thank you for looking after my brother,” Max said politely to Karen, far more composed than York.

Maybe it was because of Alessia, but Karen had always been fond of Max, this quiet, polite, thoughtful boy. Once she’d learned about his childhood, she’d felt even more protective of him.

Sometimes, when Alessia wasn’t around, Karen would call Max herself–usually to invite him to dinner or remind him to dress warmly when the weather turned cold.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Karen replied warmly. “It’s always livelier with York at home.” She handed him a paper bag. “I made some snacks and pastries this morning. You mentioned you don’t like sweets, so I made a

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batch without sugar. Give them a try–if you like them, I’ll bring more next

time.”

Max glanced down at the bag, the corners of his mouth twitching just slightly–so subtle you’d miss it if you weren’t looking closely.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you,” he said softly.

Chapter 408