Brendan’s words instantly dampened the excitement in the room. Alessia understood exactly what he was getting at–he wanted to know if she’d bought the shop with money from the Tate family.


    She couldn’t help but smile. Just as she always managed to surprise the Mortons, the Mortons themselves never failed to catch her off guard with their behavior.


    “Don’t worry,” she said softly, “I invested my own money and earned it myself. Not a single cent came from the Tates.” Not unless you count Cole’s, she thought privately.


    Brendan, however, didn’t look particrly pleased, even after her reassurance.


    “Still, business is business, Lessie. We need to keep the rent fair and square. Let’s draw up a contract. We’ll rent the ce from you at market price. What do you think?”


    Alessia’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Actually, I have a better idea than just charging you rent.”


    All three of them fixed their gaze on her, waiting for her to go on.


    “I’ll let you use the shop rent–free-”


    “No way,” Karen interjected, cutting her off. Alessia remained calm, patting Karen’s hand gently to settle her nerves.


    “Not only will you pay no rent, I’ll cover all the renovation costs, too. Of course, you’ll still have to pay utilities.”


    “Then what’s your condition?” Brendan asked, as if they were negotiating a business deal across a table.


    “I’ll invest, and we split the profits. Forty percent for me, sixty for you.”


    “You’re not worried you’ll lose out?”


    “With this location and your cooking, there’s no reason the ce shouldn’t make money.” Alessia’s confidence was palpable.


    <b>you </b>


    “We can work out the detailster. I’ll have your brother draft a contract, or if know a goodwyer, they can look it over. Even family should keep ounts clear, It’s best not to be careless, even with rtives.”


    Alessia nodded. “Let’s have my brother handle it.”


    <b>14:42 </b>


    легор


    They ironed out a few more details<b>, </b>talkingte into the night<b>, </b>until Alessia <b>stifled </b><b>a </b>yawn and everyone realized it was nearly midnight.


    “Alright, off to bed, you two,” Karen said, gathering up the scattered papers from the table and giving Zachary a nudge. “You’ve got school in the morning.”


    Zachary and Brendan obediently got up to head to their rooms.


    “Lessie,” Brendan called after her.


    She paused, and Karen and Zachary did the same.


    “Don’t be too open about your finances. Always keep something to yourself, even with family. You never know when you’ll need to y your cards close to your chest. Understand?”


    Alessia hadn’t expected Brendan to say something like that, She blinked, then a small, genuine smile appeared on her lips.


    “I understand,” she replied, her voice warm.


    “Alright then, off to bed.” Brendan watched her smile, unsure if she truly took his advice to heart, but he didn’t want to push further. Sometimes, too much insistence only backfired.


    He knew Alessia was capable, but she was still young and might not always see people clearly. Better she learned to keep a card up her sleeve than get burned by misced trust. After all, you never really know what’s in someone’s heart–today’s friend could be tomorrow’s enemy.


    He just didn’t want Alessia to repeat his mistakes.


    Meanwhile, across town, Ileana seemed like a different person as she stormed into her house. The moment the door closed behind her, she hurled her expensive backpack onto the floor with a thud.


    “Where is everyone? Are you all dead or something?”


    Mae, startled, rushed over to the entryway at Scott’s bidding.


    “Miss,” she greeted, her posture hunched, clearly nervous.


    “What are you even doing here? Where are my shoes? And my bag–can’t you see it’s on the floor? Or are you still thinking about that Alessia girl? She’s a Morton now, but I’m still a Tate!”