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”

myself from clapping, and Freya

‘Are

amusement, but before could react, Caden took a long stride forward, slipped an arm around my waist, and

I leaned into him with a playful smile. “You promised to

down at me with ‘adoring‘ eyes and nodded.

What a fake!

advantage, are we?

Caden hard on his back, but he didn’t even flinch; instead, he pulled me closer. This guy was

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Battle of Pretenses

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watching, the act had to go on, and honestly, seeing Wendy’s forced

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

“Ms. Sinclair. I’m not sure they have things like this up in Winterfell, way up north. You probably haven’t come

and clear. I

finished. “Ms. Sinclair, did you bring anything for

country bumpkin Omega. I hadn’t bothered to bring any gift at all. She was relentless in her attempt to put me

gifts to show off who the real lady from a prestigious family was, the one

designed to win over Richard, leave me embarrassed, and position herself as the ideal future Luna of the Eclipse Pack.

gift showdown? Against me? She’d seriously underestimated her opponent.

I opened it carefully, took out a framed painting, and presented it to Richard. “Mr. Richard, this is Picara Voss’s original Le Rêve.

the painting, examining it closely. “Picara Voss! A true masterpiece. Thank your grandfather

a serene young woman with closed eyes and golden hair flowing behind her–a piece of artwork capturing the pinnacle of Picara Voss’s genius. Just

passionate about famous paintings, was utterly delighted with the gift. With this world–renowned masterpiece in his hands, I’d hit the mark

Her face paled, and she blurted out, “Ms. Sinclair, what’s

just assumed that someone from the

Richard’s judgment is so poor he can’t tell real from fake?” I smiled, adding a touch

But Picara Voss’s