A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 441

Chapter 441

Alessia had never cared about her family’s background, nor did she ever use it to flaunt herself or put others down. She’d built her reputation through sheer determination and hard work, earning the respect–and sometimes the fear–of everyone around her.

That’s exactly why she despised people who looked down on others just because they came from a privileged family.

She rarely spoke so bluntly, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t. If someone wanted to play hardball, Alessia had no qualms about using their weaknesses against them.

“You wouldn’t want me to have a little chat with your parents, would you?” There was no mistaking the threat in Alessia’s words.

Helena had used her family status to mock others–well, Alessia had no problem using her own to shut her down. Respect, after all, went both ways; some people just didn’t deserve it.

Helena gritted her teeth, shooting a venomous glare at Joyce, who was half–hidden behind Alessia.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered.

Alessia wasn’t about to let her off so easily.

“About your parents‘ latest business deal—”

“I’m sorry!” Helena blurted, picking at her nails and raising her voice so there could be no doubt about her apology.

Satisfied, Alessia nodded and turned to Joyce, who silently returned the

gesture.

“Let’s go.” Before Joyce even realized Alessia was talking to her, she found herself being pulled away.

“Lessie, what are you doing here?”

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“I got lost. Saw you and figured you could help me back to the dorm.”

The blatant lie made Joyce laugh despite herself.

“And what have I told you before? When someone talks down to you, you just stand there and take it?” Alessia sounded exasperated.

She knew Joyce’s nature–always looking to keep the peace, quick to apologize or back down before things could escalate. Alessia

understood it wasn’t something Joyce could just switch off, not with the kind of family she’d grown up in.

Still, Alessia and their other two friends kept trying to talk sense into her, even if all they got for their trouble was another worried frown.

“I know, it’s just… what she said wasn’t wrong.” Joyce forced a smile, but it looked strained.

“Not wrong? What, do I smell of old money? Or champagne and caviar?”

“Am I a puppy now?” Joyce swatted Alessia on the arm.

“See? You can bite back when you want to.” Alessia’s eyes were filled with helpless affection; she wanted Joyce to see herself clearly, but didn’t know how to make her believe it.

“Lessie, it’s hard to get rid of this kind of insecurity. I wish I could be as confident as you, but I just… I’m not there yet. I don’t have that kind of

nerve.”

Joyce’s voice turned quiet, and the mood grew heavy.

“At least don’t let anyone else see it,” Alessia said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Joyce straightened instinctively.

“If you keep hunching over, you’ll never see the sky. Every time you look up, the view is different–rosy dawn, starry night–it’s always changing, just like people do.”

Joyce pressed her lips together, unsure how she even made it back to the dorm.

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Chapter 441

She mulled it over for a long while before finally speaking.

“All right. Just let me know a day in advance.”

“Okay.” Joyce nodded, but Alessia’s agreement didn’t seem to cheer her

1. up.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about anything else?“.

“Didn’t you say it’s just a regular party?” Alessia looked up, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

“It is, but… it’s hosted by Fortune. He wants me to go, said you’re good at these things and I’d feel better if you came. But he told me not to

mention it to you–said you and he aren’t on the best terms, and if you knew, you wouldn’t want to go.”

“So why are you telling me?” Alessia turned, resting her elbows on her knees, gazing at Joyce with a half–smile.

Mia and Esme, curled up on the beds nearby, exchanged glances, keeping quiet but listening with rapt attention.