#Chapter 83: Hidden Priorities
Karl

The mahogany door clicks shut behind me as I step into the conference room.

Members of the council, influential businessmen and entrepreneurs who hold significant power in the

community, are already seated around the long table. I can feel the weight of their expectations

hanging in the air, but right now, my thoughts are preoccupied with something—or rather, someone—

else.

Before I can approach the table, my secretary, Gianna, is waiting by the door for me. “Good morning,

Alpha Karl,” she says, her voice low and even as usual. “Nice to see you after all this time.”

I nod as I slip my jacket off and hang it on the hook. “I’m glad to be back.”

“And you’re staying, I presume?” she asks, her eyes glinting with something unreadable.

For a moment, I feel almost like I’m being put on the spot. The others are preoccupied with their

preparations, but Gianna’s gaze is unwavering. I always knew that she disapproved of my… adventure

out to the city to win Abby back, but there’s something else in her gaze. Something I can’t quite put my

finger on.

“We’ll see,” I say, trying to be vague.

Gianna blinks slowly before handing me the meeting’s agenda in a leather bound folder. As she does,

our fingers brush, and she leans in.

“Sir, I know this might not be my place, but I heard that your… ex-wife is staying with you. Is that

correct?”

Her sudden choice of words gives me pause, especially in this setting. Slowly turning to face her, I can’t

help but notice a subtle furrow of her brows, a tightening around her eyes. “And if she is, would that be

that a problem?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral.

“No, not a problem,” she says, but her hesitation tells me otherwise. “Just… be careful around her, Karl.

You know how things were.”

I look at her squarely. “Abby never cheated on me. The gardener manipulated the situation. Let’s not

forget that.”

Gianna’s expression shifts, a hint of guilt flashing across her eyes, but before I can question it further,

signaling the

push my concerns aside, focusing on

started,” I say, scanning the room.

meeting progresses smoothly enough. Various issues are

community initiatives. But it’s the last item on the agenda that

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

the local renowned physician and member of the council, Dr.

be waking up from his coma

Alpha?”

probing, scrutinizing. I maintain my

little friendly competition for the role of Alpha

of humor. But at the same time, I can’t entirely deny the fact that

truth behind my words.

much I love my

he’ll

murmur courses through the room at my words. Then Mark, a council member

about his opinions, speaks

at a restaurant in the

I

pauses, then shoots me an apprehensive look. “Perhaps being Alpha isn’t your top

air, and I can feel the atmosphere shift, the

him straight in the

for discussion,” I say, letting my words cut through the

knife. “Meeting

collective rustling as the council members gather their papers and

handshakes as they leave the room. I stay seated

the meeting sink

once they’re gone, snapping me out of my

to discuss a few more

something off about her

“You know what?” I say,

hold a dinner at my house

a peculiar expression crosses her face. It’s fleeting, but it’s there—a mix

She quickly masks it with a professional

sir. I’ll see you

into the leather seat of my car, the engine purrs to life, but I don’t immediately pull out of

lot. My fingers drum on the steering wheel, my

return home for the weekend, the council’s

but it’s

his prolonged silence. “You

A date with Abby, gaining

“That was the goal, my friend. I’m even thinking

new dress before dinner. Let her choose whatever she wants, no price tag

flood back: me buying Abby the latest designer handbags, high-end jewelry, whisking

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