Alpha’s Regret Pregnant Rejected Luna

Chapter 78

Bella could feel her irritation rise as she continued listening to the man..

“Listen…” he was about to continue when, at that very moment, the door swung open and Ethan stood there. Bella ripped the phone from her ear immediately, her head snapping to the open door where Ethan stood, a questioning look etched on his face.

He stepped into the room, and Bella stood, attempting to appear composed, the phone clutched tightly in her hands.

“You’re home early,” she stated almost breathlessly, her words carrying a hint of surprise attempting to deflect any suspicion that might arise from the abrupt end to her secretive conversation.

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes searching her features with a discerning intensity.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, his brows furrowing suspiciously, as if sensing a disturbance in the atmosphere.

“Huh?” she asked, looking up with wide, innocent eyes, a practiced guise of normalcy.

“No nothing,” she denied immediately, attempting to deflect any scrutiny.

You sure? You sounded like you were having an issue.” he queried, his gaze briefly flickering towards her phone, catching the subtle unease in her demeanor as her grip around it tightened even more.

“It’s nothing, just one of the artists. He’s demanding to be paid more for the exhibition where we’re displaying his paintings,” she explained,her attempt at casualness at odds with the tight grip on the phone, casting shadows of secrecy in the room.

Ethan’s features relaxed as he processed her explanation.

“You should arrive at a decision before starting; that’s not legal. Do you need my help? Need me to step in?” he offered, displaying a genuine concern for her predicament.

“It sounds serious,” he observed, his attention fully on her.

she replied immediately, her denial quick and almost

name, the name of this artist?” Ethan probed, seeking more information to assess the

handle it myself. It’s nothing,” she laughed anxiously, attempting to downplay the severity

in his gaze.

had to sound. convincing

nothing I can’t handle. I’ll take care of this myself,” she insisted, her words laced with

room hanging heavy with unspoken tension, as he studied her for what felt like

a trail of unanswered questions. With that, he turned and headed towards their bedroom, the atmosphere still carrying the weight of his scrutinizing

shutting the door he

The call remained connected, a lingering thread connecting her to the shadows of her clandestine dealings. “Oh, was that Mr. Wild?” Gabriel sneered through the phone,

too bad.” he added, his words dripping with sarcasm. “Stop it, Bella said, her patience waning as she struggled to endure

said you were done?” he

he continued, breaking into laughter

frustration evident in her voice as she tried

taunts.

seemingly finding amusement in her

the lies and tired of our little transactions and wanted to come clean,” he chuckled more then broke into full laughter. Suddenly, he stopped laughing, his tone

ordered, his demand cutting through the remnants

now. I can’t use my regular accounts; I’ll use the company’s own, so it doesn’t

that, he abruptly hung up, leaving Bella to deal with the thoughts of how to have the amount wired to his account. She flung her phone away in

she thundered the moment he picked up, her irritation evident in

interest, of course, twenty thousand,” he stated gleefully, his tone indicating a twisted satisfaction at the

struggling to comprehend the audacity of his

business works. I need the money you owe me, so what else do I do? I borrow. So now you’ve got to pay me

up the phone,