BuzzNovel“If anyone ever needs my help, | promise I'll do everything | can for you.” Ileana forced a smile that looked
generous on the surface, but somehow managed to diminish her in everyone's eyes.
They were all from the ssocial class. Even if there were differences in capability, there was no need for such
obsequiousness-especially considering the Tate family’s impressive rise in recent years. Several families here
were business partners of theirs. Honestly, even if Ileana did nothing, people would still cto her simply
because of her family background.
But instead of carrying herself with the confidence and dignity expected from a Tate, Ileana seemed desperate to
win everyone over, eager to blend in as quickly as possible. It cacross as small-minded and insecure. No
one pointed it out, of course, but silent judgments had already been made.
Yet Ileana, so used to being the center of attention at Crestview High, had no idea how these social games were
really played.
“Tomorrow's my family introduction party,” she announced. “If you're free, you're all invited-my mother even
hired a Michelin-starred chef from abroad for the occasion. Sis-Alessia, you should ctoo. | know your
adoptive family isn’t well off, and you’ve never really struggled a day in your life, but don’t worry. Tomorrow, I'll
put in a good word for you at the party-maybe Mom and Dad will finally bring you back home.”
Illeana sounded perfectly sincere, her wide-eyed concern almost touching, as if she were genuinely thinking of
Alessia’s well-being.
“How very thoughtful of you,” Alessia replied lightly, her tone airy and indifferent. But Ileana finally felt a
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇttriumphant satisfaction, as if she’d managed to put Alessia in her place.
Suppressing a smile, Illeana feigned regret. “Honestly, you brought this on yourself. Mom and Dad made one
comment, and you stormed out with your suitcase. They're still upset-and now they're thinking of turning your
old room into my dressing room. They've even scheduled a meeting with, um... Justin, | think?” She pretended to
search her memory.
“I heard he’s sfamous interior designer or architect-honestly, | don’t know the details, but it's all been
arranged by our parents. But it was your room first, and | did try to talk them out of it. Still, they insist. They say
I've been through so much out there, and now that I'm finally home, they want to make it up to me.”
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Alessia just smiled, her lips curved and eyes crinkling with amusement. Illeana shot her a glance, convinced
Alessia was putting on a brave face. She glanced at Stella, who looked bored out of her mind, and decided their
friendship probably didn’t run very deep after all.
After a brief pause, Ileana sighed, her voice softening as if she were a wise older sister counseling a rebellious
sibling. “But don’t take it too hard, Lessie. Mom and Dad are just upset right now. If you apologize and lettalk
to them, I'm sure they'll let you move back in.”
“Congratulations, Miss Tate,” Cole interjected suddenly, his tone unreadable. The others exchanged quick
glances, curiosity flickering in their eyes as they watched the unfold.
Alessia, one of the supposed stars of the scene, barely reacted. She simply played with Cole's fingers, looking
utterly uninterested in the conversation.
“Thank you, Cole. You're actually the first to congratulate me.” Illeana smiled, shooting a smug glance in
Alessia’s direction.
«
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ig if eyéryoneS Wi ling to come, I'd
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In that case, if Mr. Tate dotes on you
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invested in you after all?” The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
14:41
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