156 The Teacher’s Price

    Not a chance in hell!

    :

    I red at her, trying to scold her with my eyes alone.

    But her smile–sly, knowing–cut right through my

    defenses.

    That one word, “Teacher,” softened the storm in my

    chest against my

    will.

    32

    Finished

    “Teacher,” she said lightly, as if bargaining for fruit at a market, “don’t you still have that unreleased piece? Summer? Sell it to me.”

    My jaw twitched.

    Summer? That painting was a crown jewel, disyed in museums across the world!

    And she had the gall to bring it up like it was nothing?

    My anger red in my pheromones. I was ready to shout her down right then and there.

    But then I looked at her–grinning like a fox–and I just couldn’t.

    That damned girl always knew how to disarm me.

    Melina was watching eagerly on the side. Lyana, meanwhile, let out a sour littleugh.

    “Melina, didn’t you notice? Looks like the Rogue Packdy and Darian go way back. No wonder he wouldn’t sell to me. If you want that painting, better ask Leslie. No way he’d say no to her.”

    Snide, bitter–iso /ivery Smoke Pack.

    I scoffed. “Don’t try to bait me. That painting’s already been promised to someone. It’s not for sale.”

    I turned again, determined not to let these pups and their scheming drive my blood pressure olliup. /li/ol

    But Leslie wasn’t done. “Teacher, you gave it away for five million. I’ll buy it for ten. Deal?”

    I froze, staring at her for a few silent seconds.

    That confident, unapologetic expression of hers–it drove me mad!

    And yet, somewhere deep inside… it made me proud.

    Bold. Dazzling. Just like her mother.

    I swallowed back the tide of emotion and grumbled, “Fine. Ten million. It’s yours.”

    …

    Chapter 156 The Teacher’s Price

    32

    Finished

    I turned on my heel, walking off without another word—afraid if I stayed, she’d push me right into cardiac arrest.

    Behind me, I heard her tell Melina with a breezy smile, “Consider it a gift from me.”

    She sounded every bit the Rogue Pack princess–calm, poised, self–assured.

    My back was turned, but I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my mouth.

    Leslie… that girl always managed to make me both furious and fond of her all over again.