A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 419

By the time they made it out, Alessia was carrying a bag–a takeout box tucked inside, still warm with pasta in a rich meat sauce.

“Come on, what kind of club makes you so busy you can’t even eat?” Esme grumbled, clearly annoyed.

“I heard it’s some big event–apparently some important people are coming, so everyone’s on high alert. The student council’s been running themselves ragged all week, Mia chimed in. When it came to campus gossip, no one beat Mia; she always seemed to know things before anyone else.

Thanks to her, Room 206 had never missed a single announcement, whether it came from their class, department, or the whole university.

The three of them chatted and laughed on their way to the student council office. As luck would have it, the moment they rounded the corner, they spotted Joyce up ahead. Esme opened her mouth to call out, but Mia quickly clapped a hand over her lips and pulled her into the shadow of the wall.

“What’s up?” Esme mumbled, confused.

“Lessie, isn’t that the guy who was pestering you last month? What was his name–Hugh?“.

“Yeah, that’s him–Fortune Thorne. Why’s he with Joyce? And why do they look so friendly?” Esme had recognized him too, lowering her voice.

“I think Joyce‘ mentioned they’re both on the student council,” Mia said, glancing at Alessia. Alessia just smiled, unbothered.

“He and I don’t get along, but that doesn’t mean Joyce has to avoid him too. They’re both on the council–it’s perfectly normal for them to work together. No need to overthink it.”

“Let’s go, or this pasta’s going to turn into a brick.” Seeing how unfazed Alessia was, the other two finally relaxed.

09:05

Chapter 419

Joyce, oblivious to their presence behind her, was busy with Fortune. Though they both served on the student council, they were in different departments and rarely interacted.

“Sorry, I bumped into you–are you okay?” Fortune asked as he knelt to gather the scattered papers, then took the heavy stack from Joyce’s arms without waiting for her protest.

“It’s fine, really, I can handle it myself.”

“No way I’m letting a lady haul all this around,” Fortune replied, his voice warm and easy, his manners a little too perfect–the kind that made it hard not to like him.

“I grew up working on a farm. This is nothing for me,” Joyce said, cheeks tinged pink, looking as sweet and down–to–earth as ever.

“Still, let me help. By the way, I feel like I’ve seen you before–not flirting, I swear… Wait, aren’t you Alessia’s roommate? What’s your name again?”

At the mention of Alessia, Joyce finally realized who he was.

“You don’t have to be so guarded,” Fortune said with a disarming smile. “Alessia and I just had a misunderstanding, that’s all. We’re all in the same circle–sometimes there’s friction, but it’s nothing personal.”

“Lessie’s reasonable. If there’s an issue, she’ll talk it through,” Joyce replied.

“You’re pretty nice,” Fortune said, laughing softly.

The compliment made Joyce’s ears turn bright red.

“Joyce!” Esme’s voice called out from behind them.

Joyce stopped, surprised and delighted. “Esme! What are you guys doing here?”

“We’ll leave you to it,” Fortune said quietly, still holding the files. “I’ll drop these off in the office. The president and the others won’t be here for another half hour, so there’s no rush.”

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Chapter 419

“Thank you, that’s really kind of you.”

Fortune flashed her a smile before disappearing into the building.

“Joyce, what’s going on? Why were you with him?” Esme looped her arm through Joyce’s.

“I dropped my files and he helped me pick them up, that’s all,” Joyce said honestly.

Esme nodded, but frowned. “I still think he’s a little too smooth. Just… be

careful, okay?”

“I will, don’t worry.” Joyce didn’t defend Fortune, just nodded and promised to be cautious.

Chapter 420