As soon as Alessia finished speaking , the butler appeared , ushering in another man in a suit . Both were carrying suitcases in their hands . Ileana Tate's eyes locked onto those two cases with a barely concealed greed . She recognized them instantly - they were the latest limited - edition designer luggage , the kind she could only dream of owning . The Morton family could never give her something like that , but for Alessia , having the whole collection was effortless.- " Sir , ma'am , miss , " the butler greeted . " What's all this ? " Yvonne asked . " Just some knickknacks I picked up while traveling abroad , " Alessia replied smoothly , cutting in before anyone else could speak . " Well then , take them all with you ," Yvonne said indifferently . To the Tates , these trinkets were hardly worth mentioning . " Mom , it's not that I mind my sister reclaiming her belongings , " Ileana piped up, her voice soft at first but growing louder , " It's just … my adoptive family's house is really small . There might not be enough space for all these things … " She hesitated , then added , " I don't mean anything by it , I just worry my adoptive parents might not be happy . It's her first time coming home , and it's great that she's returning , but bringing so much stuff might leave a bad impression … " Her clumsy performance made Yvonne frown , but Ileana didn't notice . She thought Yvonne was upset with Alessia . Alessia smirked . " You don't need to worry about that . I'll handle it . Mr. and Mrs. Tate , thank you for raising me these seventeen years . I'm not ungrateful - I'll remember everything I owe you . " " That's good to hear ," Scott said . " I'll have my assistant wire you a hundred thousand . That should keep you going for a while . After that , you're on your own . " Scott really knew how to handle things . Yvonne didn't object either . They never burned bridges and were careful not to make unnecessary enemies . Alessia wasn't stupid ; she'd be a fool to turn down free money . These days, every cent counted . " A hundred thousand ! " Ileana blurted out , struggling to keep the envy off her face 1/2 15:35 Chapter & and her smile from faltering . " You have a problem with that ? " Scott glanced at her coolly . " No … " Ileana ducked her head , " I'm just jealous , that's all . My sister's always had your love … " She looked the picture of innocence , like a fragile flower in the rain . But this was the Tate family . " The Tates won't mistreat you , " Scott said , his tone businesslike . " I'm busy with some projects right now , but once things settle , I'll host a proper reunion to introduce you to everyone . " After years in business , Scott could see right through lleana's little act . Alessia caught the fleeting , triumphant smirk on Ileana's lips . She took back what she'd said earlier about Ileana being clever . She wondered how the Morton family had managed to raise such a child - a girl who only looked shrewd on the surface , but couldn't hide her foolishness the moment she opened her mouth . Hopefully , there was at least one sensible person in that house . Alessia decided to give the Mortons a chance only because one of them had helped her before . Otherwise , she would have struck out on her own the moment she left the Tates . She believed in settling scores , but also in repaying kindness when she could . Selfish as she might be , she still had a sense of right and wrong . Brushing aside her thoughts , Alessia stood up . " Well , I won't keep the Tate family . from enjoying their reunion . " No drama , no arguments - everything had gone surprisingly smoothly . Butler Dawson found himself admiring Alessia all over again - no , Alessia Morton now . She was sharp enough to realize the situation was decided , so she ended things cleanly , avoiding any embarrassment for either side , and even managed to come out ahead . " Good luck , Miss , " Dawson said as he and Mae stood by the front door , their expressions complicated . Alessia offered a carefree wave , then turned and left the home she'd lived in for seventeen years , carrying only a single small suitcase - the one she'd brought back from abroad . Strangely enough , she felt no real attachment to this place . Despite seventeen years here , Alessia's belongings were few , as if she'd always known she didn't quite belong .