A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 438

Chapter 438

“If I say no, what then? Why would I choose some powerless bastard over someone who actually stands to inherit everything?”

The word “bastard” hit Fortune like a slap. His face hardened instantly. Of all things, his birth was the one subject he hated most.

Why? Why did those so–called ‘legitimate heirs‘ get everything handed to them, even if they were useless dead weight? Why did someone like him–capable, ambitious–get pushed aside, laughed at, scorned, just because of that one word? Why?

“You’re a fraud too, aren’t you, Alessia?” Fortune’s voice cracked with desperation, searching her for some kind of kinship, some shared pain.

“You spent all those years as the golden girl, just to be booted out the Tate family the moment the truth came out. You know how it works in their world–bloodline is everything. They don’t care what you can do, just whether you have the right pedigree and a name that fits their family tree.”

Fortune stood up and strode toward her, looming over Alessia.

She looked up, understanding at last why he’d sought her out.

“You and me–we’re cut from the same cloth. You think Cole cares about you? You think he doesn’t want something in return? The second he’s wrung all the use out of you, he’ll toss you aside. He’s rich

now–powerful, eligible, the kind of guy everyone wants. Do you honestly believe he’d actually settle for a fake like you?”

Fortune’s words slithered out, slow and deliberate, like a snake baring venomous fangs just beneath a docile smile. Each syllable coiled tighter, waiting for Alessia to crack–so he could strike.

He seized her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Alessia, alone in a hotel room with another man–what do you think the tabloids will say? Think Cole’s the forgiving type? Even if he believes you,

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Chapter 438

will he be able to drown out the gossip?”

He held her eyes, voice coaxing, cajoling.

“Don’t let him walk away with his reputation shining while you’re left humiliated. Promise me nothing happens tonight–or I swear, the press will be through that door in seconds.”

“So that’s your angle. Oldest trick in the book. Didn’t think you’d stoop to something so tired.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s old–it works. People have always cared more about reputation than anything else.”

“Honestly, you’re a tough nut to crack, Fortune. It’s like trying to kill a cockroach with nine lives.”

It was hard to tell if Alessia truly didn’t care about her reputation, or if she was just putting on a brave face in the face of his threat.

“There was something in the wine, wasn’t there?” she switched gears abruptly.

“You even caught that? I underestimated you.” Fortune flashed a sly smile. “No wonder Cole hasn’t let you go, even after you lost your title. I bet you have plenty of dirt on him, don’t you?”

Alessia just stared him down, lips curling in a cryptic smirk.

Fortune’s grin only widened. “I knew it. You and I, we’ll do whatever it takes to get what we want. People like us–we weren’t born with silver spoons; they’ll never really accept us.”

“Oh, come on. Everyone at the party seemed to treat you with a whole lot of respect, didn’t they, Mr. Thorne?”

She threw the title at him with a teasing lilt, but Fortune just snorted and flopped back onto the bed.

“Respect? Please. If I didn’t have access to all those exclusive

connections, you think they’d listen to a word I say?”

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