Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 27 The Battle of Pretenses

Mc Crawford

I frowned slightly, watching as Eleanor entered with Wendy’s hand in hers.

“Dad, how are you feeling? Wendy came especially to see you,” Eleanor said, looking at Richard.

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“Hello, Mr. Holbrook.” Wendy put on her best good girl look. “I heard you were sick and wanted to visit sooner, but I didn’t want to disturb you.

Richard’s smile faded slightly as he responded with mild politeness.

I immediately noticed he wasn’t charmed by Wendy’s t and was well aware of her intentions toward Caden. It was clear to him that Eleanor favored Wendy and didn’t think I was good enough.

But she didn’t know that, in Richard’s eyes, I was worth thousand times more than her chosen candidate. He was the only one who knew my true identity, so he was set on getting me and Caden together.

Mom, what are you doing here?” Caden’s expression turned dark the moment he saw Wendy.

“Wendy’s just being thoughtful and wanted to check on Dad. She happened to be free today, so we came together, Eleanor replied with a warm smile, giving Wendy a subtle nudge closer to Caden.

Wendy wasted no time stepping between Caden and me, clinging tightly to him and practically shoving

me off.

I pressed my lips together. Eleanor didn’t like me; she brought Wendy here just to put me in my place.

And Wendy thought she could push me around? If I weren’t keeping my Alpha strength under wraps, a tiny shove would send this delicate young lady flying.

Wendy was practically melting against Caden, gazing at him with open admiration. “Caden, my brother’s coming back soon. Let’s all get together then, alright?”

Without missing a beat, Caden turned her down coldly. “I’m busy”

could barely stop myself from clapping, and Freya barked a supportive “Yes!” in

looked disappointed but persisted, ‘Are you really that

could react, Caden took a long stride forward, slipped an arm around my waist, and said, “Roseline just got to Rivemon, I’ll be showing her

him with a playful smile. “You promised to take

looked down at me with ‘adoring‘

What a fake!

are we?

he didn’t even flinch; instead, he pulled me closer. This guy was too

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The Battle of

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with Richard watching, the act had to go on, and honestly, seeing Wendy’s forced smile was worth

she presented a gift she’d brought for Richard. She smiled sweetly, doing her best to look geile and considerate. “Mr. Richard, this is the finest Vivara Snow. It’s very nutritious and perfect for somente your age. My

things like this up in Winterfell, way up

caught the snide remarklond and clear. I replied coolly,

finished. “Ms. Sinclair, did you bring

probably thinking that, as a country bumpkin Omega. I hadn’t bothered to bring any

clear as day: a little competition for gifts to show off who the real lady from a prestigious family was, the one fit for

was designed to win over Richard, leave me embarrassed, and position herself as

Against me?

opened it carefully, took out a framed

he accepted the painting, examining it closely. “Picara Voss! A true masterpiece. Thank

at the painting. On the canvas was a serene young woman with closed eyes and

delighted with the gift. With this world–renowned masterpiece in his hands, I’d hit the

Voss, Wendy’s Vivara Snow locked trivial. Her face paled, and she blurted out, “Ms. Sinclair, what’s the meaning of bringing a fake painting

himself had entrusted me with this gift–it was no fake. She just assumed that someone from the remote Frostmoore couldn’t possibly

are you implying that Mr. Richard’s judgment is so poor he can’t tell

flushed with embarrassment. That’s not what meant. But Picara Voss’s original works are priceless. Where did you get it?”