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.

+8 Pearls

“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”

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

but persisted, ‘Are

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

him with a playful

with ‘adoring‘ eyes and nodded.

What a fake!

advantage, are we?

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

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27 The Battle

16 Pearls

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

they have things like this up in Winterfell, way up north. You probably haven’t come across it before. I’d be happy to bring you some

caught the snide remarklond and clear. I replied coolly, “No need

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

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

lady from a prestigious family was, the one fit for Caden. Tonight’s visit to ‘see Richard‘ was

her meticulously chosen dress to the thoughtful gift, everything was designed to win over Richard, leave me embarrassed, and position herself

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

I opened it carefully, took out a framed painting, and presented it to Richard. “Mr.

as he accepted the painting, examining it closely. “Picara

eyes and golden hair flowing behind her–a piece of artwork capturing the pinnacle of Picara Voss’s genius. Just one

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

Snow locked trivial. Her face paled, and she blurted out, “Ms. Sinclair, what’s the

me with this gift–it was no fake. She just assumed that someone from the remote Frostmoore couldn’t possibly come up with an authentic masterpiece.

Richard’s judgment is so poor he can’t tell

That’s not what meant. But Picara Voss’s original works are priceless. Where did you