A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 87

“I want to go to that private academy! I don’t want to end up at Crestview High!”

“Sweetheart, you couldn’t even get into Crestview High on your own. Your father paid a fortune to get you accepted, so be grateful and behave for once, will you?”

“She’s right. And besides, the rest of us will be there to look out for you. If you run off to that fancy academy all alone and someone bullies you, who’s going to help you?”

“You know how things are at home right now. Why insist on going to the academy?” As the eldest, Ethan finally spoke up. Ileana always felt a little scared of him.

“I just… I just want to go,” Ileana mumbled, unable to give a convincing reason.

“We’ve already paid the tuition. Just settle down at Crestview High for now. If things get better for the family, you can think about transferring later.”

“But-”

“Your brother’s right. It’s not that easy to get into the academy, especially now, and even if you could, can we really afford it? Besides, Crestview High’s teachers are just as good. Focus on your studies this time instead of wasting all your energy on goofing off and having fun. Get into a good college–that’s what matters most.”

Brendan looked exhausted. After he finished speaking, he left the room.

Of course, Ileana wouldn’t give in so easily, but no matter how much she screamed or threw tantrums, her family wouldn’t cave this time. From that day on, if anything so much as annoyed her at home, she’d start smashing things or hurling insults at

whoever was closest.

The Morton family’s situation only got worse with each passing year. Everyone was stretched to the breaking point, especially since Zachary and Ivan’s expenses were already high. Liam had to give up his tutoring, and Ethan, as the eldest, started working odd jobs just to help out, but it was never enough.

In the middle of all this, Ileana never once considered the family’s struggles. She continued to live recklessly, spending as if nothing had changed, right up until the Mortons officially declared bankruptcy and the whole family moved into a cramped, run–down apartment building.

Less than a week after the move, Ileana somehow got her hands on two DNA test reports. One proved she wasn’t related to the Mortons; the other said she was, in fact, the biological daughter of the Tates, a wealthy family that had risen to

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Chapter 87

prominence in the past two years.

A daughter they’d raised for seventeen years suddenly pulled out a DNA test and said she wanted nothing more to do with them. Anyone would have found that impossible to accept.

“lieana, what is this supposed to mean?” Karen stared at her, stunned.

“Was I not clear enough? I’m the real daughter of the Tate family. I’ve found my birth parents. Shouldn’t you all be happy for me? Don’t worry. Since you raised me all these years, I might toss you a million or two to help you get by.”

Ileana lifted her chin, her eyes full of fantasies about the glamorous life that awaited her. She seemed convinced that the moment she left, she’d be swept into the high society she’d always dreamed of.

She didn’t notice the bitter disappointment in her family’s eyes–she was too busy daydreaming about her new future.

“It’s good you found your birth parents,” Brendan said quietly. He looked older than ever. “The Tate family is wealthy; you’ll have a better life with them than you ever could with us.”

“As for that million or two… forget it. The Mortons may be down on our luck, but we’re not about to take handouts from a daughter we raised, especially if it’s money from her wealthy birth parents.”

“That’s for the best. I was ready to pay a million just to cut all ties, but if want it, it saves me the trouble. Just don’t come running to me later, hoping to leech off my new life.”

you

don’t

“Ileana!” The shout came from Zachary, of all people–his voice sharp with disbelief. How could the sister they’d cherished all these years say something so cold, so final?