bChapter /b104

    ALINA’S POV.

    :

    b53 /b

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    The smile didn’t leave my face all through the rest of the workday. I was certain nothing could ruin it, but I

    was wrong.

    On my way home, I was lost in thoughts of all the designs bI /bcould create for this new client when Talia’s bcall /bcame in.

    d to see her call and eager to tell her about the good news, I quickly picked.

    “Hey, baby,” I answered with the same excitement I’ve had all day. “You won’t believe what happened today! Turns out working with Louis isn’t going to be as bad as I initially thought because guess what? The moment I decided to put my reservations aside and work with him, boom! He ms me with the biggest contract I’ve had sinceunching Alinova. Can you believe that?” I rushed out in one breath.

    “Wow, Alina… that’s amazing.” She said, but her voicecked the excitement I was expecting.

    “I know, right? I’m so d I agreed to work with him. I can’t imagine this opportunity going to someone else.” I said not letting her tone dampen my mood.

    “Yeah… it would be such a shame.” She said again in the same dull tone.

    “Okay, what’s wrong?b” /bI asked, frowning. “Here I am telling you about a big win and you’re being a killjoy. Are you not happy for me?” I couldn’t hide the disappointment from my tone.

    “Of course I am, baby! Why would you think I’m not?” She sounded almost hurt by my words.

    “Well, I don’t know… maybe because of your tone?” I said sharply.

    “I’m sorry, baby. But I can’t be happy right now, and you won’t be either in a second once I tell you what I just found out.” She sighed.

    My heart skipped.

    Whatever it bwas /bthat got her like thisb, /bI knew I wasn’t going to like it.

    “What happened? Is it my birth parents? Did you find something about them?b” /bI asked, voice trembling.

    “No.” She said in a low tone.

    “Then what is it about?” My tone was a mix of urgency and curiosity.

    “It’s about Adrian.” She said.

    “What about him? I thought we handled that. He’s not a problem anymore.” I said, confused.

    “We did. Until today.” She said.

    b17:53 /bbThu/bb, /bbSep /bb18 /b

    “Talia. I don’t bhave /bthe patience for suspense. Just out with it already.”

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    “The n to make investors pull out of Adrian’s project was working smoothly. But then, all of a sudden, an anonymous person invested billions into bit/b,pletely ruining all our hard work.”

    “What?!” I shrieked, making Jordan nce at me through the rearview mirror. “How? Who would do that? Did you check?b” /b

    “I did.” She confirmed.

    “And?b” /bI sounded impatient.

    “Every check I ran was blocked. But there’s only one person I know with the means to pull that off.”

    “Who–no…” I shook my head, already denying it even though I knew she couldn’t see me.

    “Alinab, /bthink about it-”

    “There bis /babsolutely no way he would do that.”

    “Who else could it be? After the scandal we leaked, no one else was willing to go near Adrian’s project. Only one person has such means and could do this, Alina. Do the math.”

    I did.

    She had a point and was definitely unto something.but I refused to believe it.

    “No. He wouldn’t do that to me.” I said firmly.

    “Alina-”

    “I have to go, Talia. We’ll talkter. But for now, we need to find another way. That project must not bseed/b.”

    “I’ll get right to it.” She sighed.

    The call ended.

    When I got home, I went straight to the room and freshened up. I needed a clear head. Tonight, I bwas /bgoing to tell Lucian what I heard at my parents‘ house a week ago.

    He wasn’t home yet, but I nned to wait. These days he always showed upte but I was willing to wait.

    After showering, I headed to my home studio to pass time while I waited. I wanted to have a head start on the designs for the new client, I was already halfway through my third rough sketch when I heard the unmistakable voices of bAce /band Lucian.

    They walked past my studio door, heading toward Lucian’s study.

    I dropped my pencil and quickly followed them.

    The door to the study was slightly ajar. I was about to push it open but I froze at the name I heard.

    17:53 bThu/bb, /bbSep /bb18 /bbN /b

    …

    :

    “Did you invest in Vaughn’s project like I told you to?” Lucian’s voice asked.

    “Yes, boss, I did. “Ace replied.

    “Anonymously?”

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    “Just like you wanted, bossb./bb” /b

    “Good.” Lucian said, sounding pleased.

    “But bossb… /bwhy would you invest in Adrian’s project even though you are aware that Madame and her friend have been trying to sabotage it?” Ace’s voice held confusion.

    “To teach her a lesson.” Lucian said coldly.

    I stumbled back, stunned.

    I didn’t want to believe it, but Talia had been right. Nobody in the country had the means to single–handedly fund Adrian’s project. Only Lucian had the power to pull off something like this.

    But… why?

    Why would he betray me like this? Especially knowing I was trying to sabotage him.

    First, he handed Adrian the project, and now this?

    “What do you mean, boss?” Ace asked, confused.

    I didn’t wait around to hear more.

    I turned and bolted out of there, tears blurring my vision. My chest ached like I’d been stabbed.

    And as I ran farther away from Lucian’s study, one question kept echoing through my mind.

    Why would Lucian betray me like thisb? /b

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    b17:53 /bbThu/bb, /bbSep /bb18 /b