BuzzNovel“Hey, have Dad and the others arrived at the restaurant yet?”
With no way out, Ileana had no choice but to bring Scott into this. She was certain that no matter what, Max
wouldn't dare defy Scott. If she embarrassed herself, Scott might not care, but if she made the whole Tate family
look bad in front of all these society kids? That was a different story entirely.
“Oh, look who it is-my darling little sister,” Max drawled, as if he'd only just noticed her standing there.
Illeana clenched her jaw but forced a smile. “You're such a kidder, big brother. Always joking around.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, sis. | am picking someone up for dinner, but it’s not you.” Max's lips curled in a smirk
as he strode right past her, heading towards the school entrance without a backward glance.
“Wait, is he here for Alessia?”
“He is! Seventeen years in the shouse, but blood clearly isn’t thicker than
water.”
“God, | wish | were Alessia. She's so lucky-she’s got everyone wrapped around her finger.”
“Look at lleana’s face...”
“Yikes, that’s rough. | almost feel bad for her... almost.”
Illeana stood frozen, her hands balling into tight fists. She could hear the whispers, the laughter, the not-so-
subtle taunts from the crowd around her, but her eyes never left Max as he made his way toward Alessia.
Alessia, the center of attention, wanted nothing more than to melt back into the classroom. The intensity of
lleana’s stare was hard to ignore-not because she was afraid, but because she preferred to avoid open conflict
whenever possible. If she could, she’d rather treat people she disliked like strangers-polite but distant.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
After all, in this world, you're bound to run into people you don’t like, or who don’t like you. Alessia had always
tried to steer clear of unnecessary , a lesson she'd learned from the Tates: never go for the jugular unless
you absolutely have
to.
But sometimes, you're left with no choice. With someone like Ileana, if you became
1/2
16:43
enemies, she’d stop at nothing to drag you down. In a world where only one person could cout on top,
Alessia was determined she’d be the one still standing.
And when trouble cknocking, Alessia was never one to run. She stopped in her tracks, watching as Max
cstraight for her.
“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” she said coolly. “Showing up at the front gate, making sure everyone's
watching, humiliating Illeana, makingthe center of
attention.”
“If you'd just done as you were told yesterday, we wouldn't be having this little scene now.” Max's voice was
calm, almost bored.
Alessia gave a short, incredulous laugh. “You really are the sas ever-controlling, dictatorial. Any dog would
feel inferior next to you.”
“Con. Let's go eat.” Max's expression remained unchanged, unbothered by her jab.
This, after all, was how things always played out between them. The sharper Alessia’s retorts, the more
entertained Max seemed, almost as if he wanted to corner her just to see what weapon she'd pull next.
She knew if she refused, Max
wouldn't let it go. There was no pn
in raspy tout SE Aldssia followed
himyth 3 of them walking in
tandem—familiar, yet somehow
estranged. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Lessie.” Zachary’s voice cfrom the gate, startling her.
“I'm skipping dinner at htonight, okay?” she called over.
“You sure?” Zachary’s brow furrowed with concern.
Alessia nodded. “Don’t worry. I'll be hafter dinner.”
He still looked uneasy, but there
wasn't much he cod elp as los 11)
ERO climb into
the car together. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
The crowd gradually dispersed, and
lleana remained standing where She
waspLuby RoVesing at her side. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
Zachary noticed them, lips pressed into a thin line.
“This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
