Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0156

Chapter 0156

Alexander POV

Ella always managed to surprise me in ways I didn’t expect When we met at the gym, it wasn’t necessarily her strength or speed that caught me off guard–I’d expected her to have some athleticism. What surprised me was her enthusiasm.

For someone who claimed she didn’t exercise regularly, she threw herself into each part of the workout with an energy that was rare to see.

After she left, I met with each of the trainers to discuss her results, and though none of them openly praised her, I could see they were as impressed as I was. It made me feel an odd surge of pride.

Of course, any public praise of Ella reflected positively on me due to our “relationship,” but that wasn’t why I felt this way.

Ella had endured more in the brief time I’d known her than most people face in a lifetime, and all of it at the hands of someone who claimed to love her. Yet, despite the pain she’d suffered, she continued to push forward, to improve herself, and to find ways to reclaim her life. There was a quiet strength in her, a resilience that was rare.

In a way, I admired her. She somehow balanced that strength with a gentleness that most people would have lost long ago. It was a balance that very few people could maintain–and one I struggled with myself.

“Sir,” August’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Is there a reason you keep checking your phone?”

I shook my head, looking up at him as I set my phone down on the desk. “I apologize,” I said. “I‘ distracted this morning.”

“I see that,” he replied. “Is anything wrong?”

little

“No, it’s nothing like that,” I said dismissively. “I’m simply waiting for a response from Ella. I’m trying to decide on my plan for the day, and her input is needed.”

word. He didn’t have to–his disapproval was clear enough. He’d

had to be careful to maintain the illusion. of a close

just beginning, and while she hadn’t said it outright, I could sense her nervousness. Hoping to encourage her and, admittedly, to open the door for

Ella’s input was crucial. There was too much to sort out for

glued to her phone. But as the minutes ticked by, I found myself growing

I thought something was wrong, exactly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that

the least of her

her. She wouldn’t even go to her father for assistance in situations where, to

Chapter 0156

+25 BONUS

was clear she was hiding something–a secret she was afraid to let others get involved in. Considering what David had tried to do to her at the hotel, I couldn’t help but wonder if he had more blackmail material. Perhaps

did I expect her to, but it would make things

plenty

so, her silence after my message bothered me far more than

once again, “David Lake is getting a lot of attention in the public eye lately. He’s being very showy

want people to think it’s hurting him financially, although it obviously is.

is to wait and allow him

himself if he does, but I think waiting might be a mistake. We need to be strategic about this. My contacts are already looking into his actual

with that information? August asked, his tone curious.

Ella’s input on that as well. But what’s more curious discovered about David’s recent

do you mean?” August asked, leaning forward.

at I’ve

my desk and slid it over to him. It was a timeline