“There are no secrets that stay buried forever. Remember that.”


    Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll never lose a battle. The day Alessia left the Tate estate, she’d ordered her people to dig up everything there was to know about Ileana. While she still hadn’t figured out how Ileana had learned the truth about her origins, she’d uncovered plenty of other things.


    “All these years, and you haven’t changed one bit, have you?” Same tired tricks. Same vicious heart.


    “Alessia, if youy a hand on me, the Tate family won’t let you walk away from this<b>.</b>” Even now, Ileana tried to feignposure, but Alessia was done ying along. In a sh, she seized Ileana by the throat and hauled her off her feet.


    The sudden drop made Ileana’s eyes go wide with panic. With just a faint push, Alessia could send her tumbling over the balcony railing.


    Paralyzed by instinctive fear, Ileana froze, a cold sweat breaking out across her brow. Shé wed desperately at Alessia’s wrist, her face turning crimson as her breath grew thin.


    “Alessia…this is…murder…” Ileana forced the words out, each one scraped from the


    back of her throat.


    “Murder? Feeling powerless, are you?” Alessia scoffed, unmoved. She tightened her grip and dragged Ileana even closer to the edge.


    “Let… me… go…” Ileana choked, struggling weakly, but Alessia only squeezed harder. Ileana’s eyes rolled back, her grip on Alessia’s hand ckening with every second.


    “She felt just as helpless back then, didn’t she? Couldn’t fight back, couldn’t run, just had to watch as she was dragged back into the darkness. She risked everything to e darkness. She risked everything to escape, and you–one little shove from you, and everything she fought for was undone. So tell me…”


    Alessia loosened her hold for a moment, and Ileana gasped, gulping for air like someone drowning. But Alessia’s fingers tightened again, merciless.


    “If I pushed you over right now, would that set things back to the way they were:


    “You’re insane!” Ileana’s voice was hoarse, her eyes wild with terror. In that instant, she truly believed Alessia might let her fall. The realization that her life dangled in


    13:28


    Chapter <b>206 </b>


    someone else’s grasp left her utterly limp, powerless.


    Alessia gave a cold, joylessugh. She should have known: a person like this <b>would </b>never feel remorse. Anyone who stood in her way would be eliminated, no hesitation.


    “You really are a true Tate, aren’t you?”


    Alessia rolled her neck, the tension cracking in her spine.


    “Ileana, this is yourst chance. When did you find out who you really are?”


    Whether the answer changed anything or not, Alessia needed to know. She hated living with unanswered questions.


    “Let me go…”


    “Still don’t get it? You’re in no position to bargain with me.”


    “The… medical exam… the results…”


    The words barely made it out as Ileana fought for everyst breath.


    Just as Alessia was about to release her, two figures burst into the room.


    “Lessie, take it easy! Let her go!” Ethan’s voice rang out from the stairs. Alessia didn’t flinch. Calmly, she let her hand drop.


    The two brothers rushed over, while Ileana copsed on the floor, clutching her throat and coughing, her face flushed, angry bruises already blooming across her neck.


    Alessia dusted off her hands, her face cold as stone approach.


    Scho watched them


    “Bro… brother… help… help me…” Ileana’s voice was barely a whisper, tears streaming down her cheeks.