After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 78

“Arnold, I-

“I don’t have time for this.” His voice was cold, clipped. A second later, the line went dead.

Nora stared at the screen in disbelief. The rejection wasn’t surprising, but it still hurt. The last glimmer of hope she had shattered in an instant.

Clara, sitting beside her, scoffed in frustration. “That man has no conscience! He’s rolling in money, yet he won’t spare a cent to help you?”

Before Nora could respond, the auctioneer’s voice rang out.

“Fifty–five million! Going once… going twice… sold!”

The sound of the gavel hitting the podium echoed through the room. Linda had won.

Nora forced herself to remain calm, but deep inside, a storm raged. She knew exactly why Linda had done this–not because she cared about the item, but because she wanted to prove a point. Arnold, who used to buy her gifts without hesitation, was now doing the same for Linda.

Clara huffed, crossing her arms. “Throwing away money just to compete with you–how pathetic.”

Nora didn’t reply. Instead, she exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the bitterness welling inside her. She hadn’t cared about Arnold’s wealth before, and she wouldn’t start now.

But Linda wasn’t done.

Every time Nora bid on an item, Linda would immediately raise the price. It became clear that continuing would be pointless. After the third attempt, Nora simply placed her paddle down.

Linda’s laughter was light but mocking. “Oh? Not bidding anymore? That’s a shame, Nora. I was having

so much fun.”

Nora met her gaze evenly. “Glad to hear it.”

She refused to give Linda the satisfaction of seeing her upset. Instead, she simply smiled, as if none of it mattered. But as the auction ended, she was already thinking of other ways to find a gift for her grandmother.

The next morning, Nora arrived at Arnold’s villa to pick up Alex for school.

The grand estate loomed ahead, its towering iron gates nartin —-

Chapter 78

The long driveway was lined with neatly trimmed hedges, and the early morning sun cast golden streaks across the marble façade of the house.

Despite its beauty, the place always felt cold to her–silent, imposing, too perfect to be real.

She stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished floors.

The faint scent of cedar and expensive cologne lingered in the air. Just as she was about to call for Alex, the housekeeper appeared, carrying a small, delicate gift box in her gloved hands.

“The Alpha asked me to give this to you,” the maid said, her tone respectful yet unreadable.

Nora hesitated before reaching out, her fingers brushing against the fine wrapping paper. The weight of it felt heavier than it should have. A strange unease settled in her stomach.

She swallowed, carefully untying the ribbon and lifting the lid.

Inside, resting against soft velvet lining, was the werewolf wood carving. The very same one from the auction. The one she had wanted so badly for her grandmother.

Her breath hitched.

Her grip on the box tightened as her gaze swept lower. Beneath the carving lay another item–one of the lots she had been forced to abandon when Linda kept raising the bid.

In

had bought them all along.

simply stared at them, her thoughts a tangled mess. If she was right, then Arnold had purchased these as a birthday

Was this his way of making

further, small arms wrapped

eyes full of excitement. “Can

something to do today, Alex.”

faltered. “You’re always busy.”

let go of her and turned away, but his small

12:11

Chapter 78

sighed. Guilt tugged at

off at school, Nora drove straight to Starline Studio,

pedestrians weaving through traffic, and the

off glass buildings, momentarily blinding her as she pulled

for a moment before stepping out. Work. She needed to focus on that. Anything to keep her mind from dwelling on the confusion

studio lobby was as lively as ever.

mingling

quiet discussions, others rushing

laughter echoed through the space,

through her phone. The moment she noticed Nora approaching, she perked up

Lady,” Julia greeted, slipping her

adjusting her bag.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

“Sounds like just

slightly. “Oh, and Mr Leo asked me to call you

raised an eyebrow. “Oh sure

“He’s waiting

Chapter 78

“Arnold, I-

voice was cold, clipped. A second

but it still hurt. The last glimmer of

scoffed in frustration. “That man has no conscience! He’s rolling in money, yet he won’t spare a cent to

respond, the auctioneer’s

million! Going once… going

of the gavel hitting the podium echoed through the room. Linda had

she cared about the item, but because she wanted to prove a

away money just to compete with

inside her. She

wasn’t

time Nora bid on an item, Linda would immediately raise the price. It became clear that continuing would be pointless. After the third attempt, Nora simply placed her

Not bidding anymore?

so much fun.”

met her gaze evenly. “Glad to hear

if none of it mattered. But as the

next morning, Nora arrived at Arnold’s villa to pick up Alex for school.

ahead, its towering iron gates nartin —-

Chapter 78

early morning sun cast golden streaks across the marble

beauty, the place always felt cold to

heels clicking against

about to call for Alex, the housekeeper appeared, carrying a

asked me to give this to you,” the maid said, her