BuzzNovel“Mom, Dad, even my brothers don’t know-just stop lecturing me, okay? I'm starving. What's for dinner tonight?”
A few years ago, Alessia would never have imagined herself speaking in such a soft, almost childlike tone-
especially not to her own family.
“We're making your favorite tonight-pan-seared pork, Just wait, I'll get started right now,” Karen replied with a
warm smile.
“I'll help with the veggies. Let's get moving.” Brendan thumped Ethan and Liam on the head-just hard enough to
make them yelp-before following Karen into the kitchen.
Ivan slid onto the couch next to Alessia, carefully taking her hand in his and blowing on it as if to heal an invisible
wound, making her giggle at the ticklish
sensation.
She couldn't help but smile, ruffling his hair with her free hand. “Thank you, buddy.”
“Does it still hurt?” Ivan’s eyes were wide and damp, filled with concern.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Alessia gently pinched his cheek. “Did you have fun at school today?”
Ivan nodded. His words still cout haltingly, but he was definitely talking more than he used to. Clutching her
hand, he launched into a story about York and Zane arguing again, then taking him bug-hunting, how York
startled the teacher and tried to blit all on Zane...
Alessia listened patiently, laughing at the right moments, warmth filling the room.
Her three hopeless brothers were smart enough not to break the peace, each busy with their own chores. It was
rare for the whole family to gather like this-just to share a meal and enjoy the quiet comfort of being together.
But over at the Tate household, things couldn’t have felt more different.
Illeana lay on her bed, her face ashen. The doctor had checked her over and found no physical injuries-her
wounds, it seemed, ran much deeper.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
HS i
Dawson, the butler, bowed slightly as Scott stormed down the hall.
“Where is she?” Scott's voice was tight with anger.
1/2
SEEN
The young lady is in her room, sir.”
Without waiting for more, Scott barreled down the corridor and threw open the bedroom door.
The bang startled Ileana awake. For a brief second, her eyes lit up-like someone drowning who's just spotted a
lifeline. But before she could say a word, Scott's hand cdown, striking her across the face.
“Dad!” Illeana clutched her cheek, disbelief and pain colliding in her eyes.
“What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?” Scott's shout made her flinch, shrinking back
toward the headboard.
“I didn’t do anything!” she protested, voice trembling, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“You didn’t? If you didn’t, then why did that Whitley boy mention your name?” Scott's voice was cold,
every word dripping with accusation.
He'd nearly lost his composure when he learned the business deal had fallen through-all because of the
daughter he’d only just welcomed back into the family.
“Do you have any idea what this deal
could have meant for Tate Holdings?
The profits we've just (opt-
of: ypu! Yosrdned everything!” His
anger only. grew, and he yanked
lleana by the hair, landing another
slap on the other side of her face.
Her cheeks swelled and burned, leaving lleana sobbing and huddling in the corner, clutching her blanket as she
shook.
“What exactly did you do?” Scott forced himself to take a slow, deep breath, struggling to keep his rage in check.
“It wasn’t me... it was Alessia.” Ileana sat there, dazed and broken, tears spilling over her lashes. “It was
Alessia... She ganged up with the others and bullied me. It was Alessia...”
She repeated her sister's nlike a
mantra, as if blaming Alessia could
excuse everyth ings it vas
Assia WRG d ruined her, Alessia
who'd cost the Tate family that
crucial contract. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Scott's jaw tightened. “Alessia,
Alessia! If you kept your distance
from her, would any of this have.
happened? She dagsntevén Garry
the Tato hitne, yet people are willing
to move mountains for her. You, on
the other hand-you've got the Tate
name, but all you ever do is cause me
trouble and shame. What else are
you good for?” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Chapter 218
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
