BuzzNovel“Ahem, ahem.” Joyce cleared her throat softly, cheeks tinged pink as she glanced at the two still tangled
together.
It was only then that Alessia remembered Joyce was even in the room.
Not that it fazed her-unlike Joyce, Alessia wasn’t so easily embarrassed. She slid calmly out of Cole's arms,
smoothing her hair.
“How's it looking upstairs?”
“The police are already on the case. They're escorting everyone to the station for questioning, and I'm guessing
it won't be long before they sweep this area too,” Joyce reported, keeping her voice low...
“You... You've been playingfrom the start?”
Fortune's jaw clenched so hard his teeth nearly cracked. Pain radiated from his arm, draining the fight out of him.
He lay sprawled on the floor, writhing like spathetic parasite.
“That's right. From the very beginning.” Alessia’s gaze was icy as she stared down at him, drawing out her words
for emphasis.
“Joyce, you!” Fortune tried to bark out more, but Alessia pressed her heel
hard into his back.
He grunted, breath knocked out of him, and shut up fast.
“Me? What about me?” Joyce planted her hands on her hips, trying-without much success-to look fierce. “Why
would | betray the friend who's looked out forsince our first day at college, just for smanipulative,
gaslighting cheater who spins empty promises?”
She tried to glare, but her gentle nature softened even the sternest pose. No matter how she tried, she just
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtlooked sweet and easy to read.
Alessia couldn't help but chuckle, ruffling Joyce's hair with a fond smile.
“You knew it was my party from the start?” Fortune croaked, his face mottled red with humiliation.
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Chapter 440
Alessia watched him struggle, one eyebrow arching. She nodded, a small, self-assured smile curving her lips-a
look that said she had everything under control.
From the very start, Fortune hadn’t been the one pulling the strings. If anything, he’d played right into their
hands, making it easier for them to get rid of this ticking tbomb before he could do any more damage.
But to understand how it all began, you had to go back to the moment after Joyce finished her meeting.
Alessia had planned to leave after dropping Joyce off and doing a little shopping. But something felt off. Joyce
was usually upbeat and
determined, always pushing forward with her goals. It was rare to see her so withdrawn.
After a moment of indecision, Alessia decided she couldn't just walk away. She headed for the sports field next
door, figuring she'd wait for Joyce and check in once she cout.
Alessia arrived right on time-just in tto catch Helena berating Joyce. “A leopard can’t change its spots. You
can slather on all the designer makeup you want, wear whatever labels you like, but you still reek of desperation.
Don’t get dazzled by bright lights, Joyce. Speople will do anything to claw their way up.”
“Well, | never knew Miss Rivers had a nose that sharp-able to sniff out desperation from across the room,”
Alessia drawled.
Joyce stood there, pale and speechless, unsure how to respond. Alessia’s sudden arrival was a lifeline; she could
finally breathe again.
“Lessie,” she whispered, her relief palpable-a harbor in a storm.
Alessia patted her head, placing herself firmly between Joyce and Helena.
“A...Alessia?” Helena stammered,
clearly not Spe as tqappear.
te [footer ak rd steps back,
het expression flickering between
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Chapter 440
indignation and fear. Leave and she looked weak; stay and she risked Alessia’s wrath.
“Miss Rivers, don't look down on the
path you've walked to get here,”
Alessia said with a ggpmieivn
your fons Stic g, you wouldn't
even make it onto the guest list at the
lowest—level parties in this circle. Or
do | need to spell it out even clearer
for you?" The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Her lips smiled, but her eyes were
cold as steel. The glen her gaze)
rads a one Gl the back of
Helena's neck stand up. The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
10:05
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