BuzzNovelChapter 441
Alessia had never cared about her family’s background, nor did she ever use it to flaunt herself or put others
down. She'd built her reputation through sheer determination and hard work, earning the respect-and
sometimes the fear-of everyone around her.
That's exactly why she despised people who looked down on others just because they cfrom a privileged
family.
She rarely spoke so bluntly, but that didn’t mean she couldn't. If someone wanted to play hardball, Alessia had
no qualms about using their weaknesses against them.
“You wouldn’t wantto have a little chat with your parents, would you?” There was no mistaking the threat in
Alessia’s words.
Helena had used her family status to mock others-well, Alessia had no problem using her own to shut her down.
Respect, after all, went both ways; speople just didn’t deserve it.
Helena gritted her teeth, shooting a venomous glare at Joyce, who was half-hidden behind Alessia.
“I'm sorry,” she muttered.
Alessia wasn’t about to let her off so easily.
“About your parents’ latest business deal—"
“I'm sorry!” Helena blurted, picking at her nails and raising her voice so there could be no doubt about her
apology.
Satisfied, Alessia nodded and turned to Joyce, who silently returned the
gesture.
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“Let's go.” Before Joyce even realized Alessia was talking to her, she found herself being pulled away.
“Lessie, what are you doing here?”
1028
“I got lost. Saw you and figured you could helpback to the dorm.”
The blatant lie made Joyce laugh despite herself.
“And what have | told you before? When someone talks down to you, you just stand there and take it?” Alessia
sounded exasperated.
She knew Joyce's nature-always looking to keep the peace, quick to apologize or back down before things could
escalate. Alessia
understood it wasn’t something Joyce could just switch off, not with the kind of family she'd grown up in.
Still, Alessia and their other two friends kept trying to talk sense into her, even if all they got for their trouble was
another worried frown.
“I know, it’s just... what she said wasn’t wrong.” Joyce forced a smile, but it looked strained.
“Not wrong? What, do | smell of old money? Or champagne and caviar?”
“Am | a puppy now?” Joyce swatted Alessia on the arm.
“See? You can bite back when you want to.” Alessia’s eyes were filled with helpless affection; she wanted Joyce
to see herself clearly, but didn’t know how to make her believe it.
“Lessie, it's hard to get rid of this kind of insecurity. | wish | could be as confident as you, but | just... I'm not
there yet. | don’t have that kind of
nerve.”
Joyce's voice turned quiet, and the mood grew heavy.
“At least don’t let anyone else see it,” Alessia said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Joyce straightened
instinctively.
“If you keep hunching over, you'll never see the sky. Every tyou look up, the view is different-rosy dawn,
starry night-it’s always changing, just like people do.”
Joyce pressed her lips together, unsure how she even made it back to the dorm.
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Chapter 441
She mulled it over for a long while before finally speaking.
“All right. Just letknow a day in advance.”
“Okay.” Joyce nodded, but Alessia’s agreement didn’t seem to cheer her
up.
“Aren’t you going to askabout anything else?".
“Didn’t you say it’s just a regular party?” Alessia looked up, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
“Itis, but... it's hosted by Fortune. He
wantsto go, Pie Rdondn
es thipgs ane eel better if you
cafe. But he toldnot to The
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the latest chapter there!
mention it to you-said you and he aren't on the best terms, and if you knew, you wouldn't want to go.”
“So why are you telling me?” Alessia
turned, resting her el pys ender
fete gazingVat Ub ce with a
half—smile. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Mia and Esme, curled up on the beds
nearby, exchanged giames: Keeping
apie bdistening with rapt attention.
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