Chapter 44
In the face of such slander as I have encountered, Ryan’s reaction was flat–or rather, the lack of it. He didn’t even attempt to explain.
He just stood there, silent, his face hard like stone, not bothering to defend me.
I glanced in his direction, searching for some flicker of support, but there was nothing. It was as if he had already made his mind up, or worse, agreed with them.
Linda caught Ryan’s eye, and the moment she saw his indifference, a small, satisfied smile played at her lips.
It was as if his silence confirmed everything she had said, and she visibly relaxed, a little triumph in her posture.
She had always seen me as someone beneath her, despite my wealth, despite my family.
No matter how much I tried, it was clear she had made up her mind long ago that I didn’t deserve any of it.
wasn’t a secret that Linda was always envious of my lifestyle. Even though my grades weren’t great, I came from a wealthy background, able to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single night if I wanted.
It wasn’t something I flaunted, but people like Linda always found a way to use it against me.
Now, with this new gossip that I had only come into my wealth by being adopted by an older man Linda felt justified, as if the balance had been restored in her favor.
She thought she had discovered my “dirty secret,” and that leveled the playing field for her.
As Ethan and I approached the sleek, black Maybach waiting by the curb, I could feel the weight of their stares.
Ryan’s expression darkened as he watched us slide into the car, the same car he used to sit in.
His lips pressed into a thin line, clearly struggling to swallow his frustration..
He had been used to the luxury, the perks of being with me, but those days were over.
Standing at the bus stop with Linda, Ryan muttered, “I won’t be driving you today.” His voice was
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Reborn
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hapter 41
fat, detached.
The reality was, he couldn’t afford to maintain his old lifestyle anymore. Without access to my money, he’d had to get a part–time job to support himself.
With his mother’s gambling debts weighing on him, Ryan was now in a position he had never anticipated–working for his own money.
Linda simply nodded in acknowledgment.
“Good,” she replied, trying to appear indifferent, but there was a glimmer of understanding between
them.
She knew the real reason behind Ryan’s change in circumstances.
Meanwhile, Ethan and I headed toward the designer HSY’s studio.
The streets outside were bustling with people–some heading home from work, others shopping, their arms full of high–end bags.
The city felt alive, buzzing with activity.
The studio was nestled in an upscale neighborhood, its large glass windows showcasing the latest couture pieces, and inside, the décor screamed luxury.
Dark polished wood floors, velvet sofas in rich jewel tones, and large mirrors framed by warm, glowing lights greeted us as we entered.
As we stepped in, the assistant welcomed us with a bright smile, but my attention was immediately drawn to a man standing near one of the mirrors, trying on a sharp, tailored suit.
His back was to me, but his silhouette was striking–broad shoulders, tall frame, and an effortless
confidence in the way he stood.
He turned slightly, catching my eye, and I froze. It was Lirian.
His expression mirrored my surprise, but it quickly shifted into a warm, welcoming smile. He walked over to greet Ethan and me, his movements smooth, his demeanor refined.
“Ethan,” he said, shaking his hand, “good to see you.”
He said this even though he was looking at Ethan, but for some reason I could feel that he couldn’t
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wait to focus on me.
have some doubts in my mind, Lirian’s attitude towards me is too special, as if …… he knew me from a long time ago.
