#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,

a hushed silence, signaling the meeting’s commencement. Gianna takes

I push my concerns aside, focusing

I say, scanning the room. “First on the

meeting progresses smoothly enough. Various issues are discussed: business

last item on the agenda that

stomach tighten.

My brother’s condition.

renowned

be waking up from his coma soon. How does that

Alpha?”

me, probing, scrutinizing. I maintain my

a little friendly competition for the role of Alpha wouldn’t be a bad

But at the same time, I can’t entirely deny the fact

truth behind my words.

No matter how much I love my brother, I won’t give up my

And besides, who’s to say that he’ll even be physically able to lead

my

vocal about his

in the city, haven’t you, Karl?”

I say. “And what of

an apprehensive look. “Perhaps being Alpha

can feel the atmosphere shift, the tension climbing up a notch.

straight in

for working there are not up for discussion,” I

knife. “Meeting

the council members gather their papers and stand, exchanging

room. I stay seated for a

meeting sink

out of my reverie. “I think you

need to

about her tone, something I can’t quite place. Maybe

making a snap decision. “You know what?” I say,

hold a dinner

her face. It’s

I can’t identify. She quickly masks it with a professional

well, sir. I’ll

the leather seat of my car, the engine purrs to

wheel, my mind racing through

return home for the weekend, the council’s thinly

but it’s

“You know,

A date with Abby, gaining

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

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

buying Abby the latest designer

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