love and power 79_THE FAKE HEIRESS GUIDE TO LOVE AND POWER

The light turned red, and Max brought the car to a halt, his fingers drumming a steady rhythm on the steering wheel.

 “What mischief are you plotting now?” York asked, his tone more delighted than apprehensive.

 “None of your business.”

 “Oh,e on. At least when ites to getting Alessia back, we’re on the same side.”

 “Getting her back?” Max shot him a sidelong nce as the light changed. “Do you really think her heart’s still here?” He shifted gears and headed toward the Tate family estate.

 When they arrived, the two brothers and their dog climbed out. The family butler, Dawson, was already standing nearby, as if he’d materialized out of thin air.

 “Master Max, Master York–your father would like to see you in the study,” Dawson announced.

 “Take my dog back, will you?” York handed over the leash, then followed Max into the house. They knocked on the study door, and only after hearing a response did they step inside.

 “Dad.”

 Scott stood at the window, hands sped behind his back. He only turned and settled into his leather chair after his sons‘ greeting.

 “Did you go looking for Alessia?”

 “I want to take her to Merovia,” York said, excitement shing in his eyes.

 Scott’s expression turned cold. “She’s a Morton now, York–not a Tate! And what’s with that dog? You ruined the family dinner in front of everyone just for Alessia. Was that supposed to show me how dissatisfied you are?”

 York pouted. “She’s just so timid, honestly. Useless.”

 Scott’s patience was thinning. “You’ve spent too much time abroad. Your manners are slipping. Your mother and I have decided you’ll stay here for the next while. Once you’ve learned some discipline, we’ll talk about you leaving again.”

 “Why?” York protested. He hated being controlled. Back in Merovia, he could do as

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 he pleased–he’d gotten used to that freedom and had no intention of giving it up.

 “Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to overseas. We gave you too much freedom, and look how that turned out.”

 York puffed out his cheeks, his eyes brimming with silent usation. Scott ignored him, turning his attention to Max.

 “I don’t care what you two do in private, but in public, you will uphold the Tate family name. Understood?”

 “Yeah, fine,” York muttered, clearly begrudging. Max, in contrast, simply replied with an indifferent, “Yes, sir.”

 “You can go. And if there’s a next time, the dog goes.”

 York let out a barely audible scoff but knew better than to push his luck. The door closed behind them, leaving only Max and Scott in the study.

 “Graduation’s in half a year, isn’t it?” Scott asked.

 “Yes, sir.”

 “The Winstons‘ youngest daughter returns tomorrow. Make time to meet her. It’s time to start preparing for your return. I’ll let you manage bothpanies for a trial run next season. You know, the Whitley boy took over his family’spany at sixteen–I don’t want my son losing out to an orphaned kid.”

 Max nodded, obedient as ever.

 “That’s all. You can go.”

 Max had barely taken a step when Scott spoke again.

 “Alessia is a Morton now. Ileana is the only one who bears the Tate name–remember that.”

 Max lowered his gaze, any hint of a smile gone. “I will.”

 Leaving the suffocating air of the study behind, Max went downstairs–only to run into York, who was leading the dog up, and Ileana, who hovered by the stairs, pale as a sheet, uncertain whether to go up or down.

 “B–brother…” Ileana stammered, her voice as timid as a startled fawn. It tugged at the heartstrings–except York, who couldn’t resist mimicking her in a mocking falsetto, “Brother…” dragging out the word with all the sarcasm he could muster.

 Ileana bit her lip hard and pretended not to hear.

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 “Brother, could you have him take the dog away? Please? I.. I’m scared, lleana fae changed out of her formal dress, her eyes still rimmed red. A shattered ssy nearby, evidence of her shaken state.

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love and power 79