Chapter 118
“One year you had a birthday and invited all the girls in the class to the party, except for one“, he
said..
‘I stared at Lirian in disbelief, trying to recall the birthday he was talking about. His words brought forth a distant memory, fuzzy but persistent, of a party where I’d invited every girl in the class. But…. had I really missed inviting one person? Then, like a flash, it struck me.
“You mean that girl was Linda?”
Lirian nodded slowly, his expression grave yet sympathetic. “Yes. I was working at a bar near the hotel that night. It was already late when I noticed a young girl lingering around outside. I asked her why she wasn’t going inside, and she started sobbing, saying she didn’t have an invitation from you.”
His words hung in the air, and a strange sadness crept into my heart.
Linda had thought I was deliberately excluding her. That party was ages ago, but the idea of anyone
feeling left out like that stung me deeply.
“She probably assumed you invited everyone just to humiliate her,” Lirian continued, his tone soft. In her mind, you were isolating her, setting her apart as if you disliked her because of her background, because she didn’t have a family or the same support.”
I shook my head, feeling a lump in my throat. “But I invited her! She told me she couldn’t come because of her piano lesson. She never seemed upset about it then…”
Lirian sighed, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Sophia, some people can’t help but project their fears and insecurities onto others. In her eyes, she may have seen herself as different, and whether you intended it or not, she felt you were drawing
that line even wider.”
A pang of frustration and sadness clashed within me.
“I never thought that. I barely thought about anyone’s background in school–our class was filled. with people from all walks of life. We all just… got along.”
“And most of them never knew about who you really were,” Lirian added, smiling slightly. “But for Linda, that night became the spark for her resentment.”
Taghed, absorbing Lirian’s words. It hurt to think that something so trivial in my past had brewed
into this bitter rivalry,
That night, Arman left your birthday party,” Lirian went on, “and he found her waiting outside. He took her away, and that was the beginning of their connection. She probably vented all her hurt and anger to him, convincing him of your so–called ‘cruelty‘ and ‘hypocrisy.
I felt my chest tighten. “That’s why Arman’s been so distant… He already disliked me, and after that
night. Linda must have filled his mind with lies.”
I paused, swallowing hard. “But Arman… he’s known me all my life. Doesn’t he know what kind of
person I am?”
Lirian’s eyes softened, and he pulled me into his arms, wrapping me in a comforting embrace. “Don’t be sad, Sophia,” he murmured. “I’ll always be on your side.”
His words felt like a balm, steadying the anger and sorrow within me.
I let myself relax in his hold, drawing strength from his presence.
After a long moment, I straightened up, determined to push forward despite the ache of Arman’s betrayal.
What happened after that was a whirlwind, a series of familiar events that mirrored my past life. Arman, now stripped of his status and influence in the Moonshadow Pack, was left with only his saved–up wealth.
He threw his remaining resources at Linda, investing in her every venture and tearing down any opportunities that had the slightest connection to me.
He even canceled events and matches where my name appeared, pouring his time into building her
- up.
But Lirian wasn’t one to sit idly by. He had already taken charge of many industries under Iron Claw, and he was ready for a counterattack.
He struck swiftly and decisively, seizing a major investment deal that Arman had painstakingly
secured.
And as for those involved in Arman’s less than legal dealings?
Lirian wasted no time in exposing them, sending several of his network to jail and dismantling the underhanded business network Arman had counted on.
Days passed like this, with Lirian’s influence steadily erasing the last remnants of Arman’s support.
Chapter 118
then,
hen, one evening, he called me unexpectedly.
Remember that dance competition you participated in?” Lirian’s voice was smooth but carried an edge of amusement. “Well, Arman’s trying to invest five million to make sure Linda’s the winner. He’s planning to set her up as the competition’s internal favorite.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Linda’s dancing skills are average at best. Even if she wins, people will see right through her. The media will tear her apart.”
“Exactly,” Lirian replied, chuckling. “And even if you don’t win first place, you’re already getting attention and building your reputation. Arman knows that.”
There was a smile in Lirian’s voice, and he seemed to have something in his words, about to reveal exciting good news to me.
