Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 146

Dalton sat back, his eyes narrowing as he observed the somber expression on Linda's face. She looked down, her fingers twisting together in her lap. He could tell how much she wanted this-her dream of studying under Colton.

He had seen Linda put on many faces before-mildness, composure, charm-but rarely this kind of vulnerability. It made something stir in him, a desire to fix things for her, to prove his worth by fulfilling her wish.

With a confident smirk, he leaned forward. "Linda, don't be discouraged. Colton has a long-standing friendship with my family. Just because he turned you down before doesn't mean he'll turn you down now."

Linda's eyes flickered with hope for a moment, then she quickly masked it, as if afraid of setting herself up for disappointment. "Dalton, I don't want to trouble you

"It's not trouble," he interrupted smoothly. "Leave it to me."

Without waiting for her response, he pulled out his phone and dialed. The moment the call connected, a cold and impassive voice greeted him.

"What do you need?" Colton asked.

Dalton kept his tone light, as though he and Colton were merely having a casual conversation. "I have someone I'd like to introduce to you-Linda. You met her before, and she's improved a lot since then. I think she deserves another chance." A brief silence followed. Then, Colton's answer came, flat and final. "No."

Dalton's expression stiffened. He was unaccustomed to being turned down so quickly, especially when he was offering an introduction that should have been beneficial.

"Why not?" he demanded, irritation creeping into his voice.

Colton let out a dry chuckle, void of any warmth. "I've already done you a lot of favors, Dalton. More than enough. I even extended my student's connections to help you before. I told you the last time that it would be the last time. Are you incapable of understanding that?"

Dalton's fingers tightened around his phone. He felt a surge of embarrassment, especially with Linda sitting beside him, clearly able to hear every word. Still, he wasn't willing to give up that easily.

"You haven't even seen Linda's recent designs," he argued. "You're judging her based on the past. Isn't that unfair?”

Colton's response was swift and merciless. "I *am* looking at her recent designs. Same level of inadequacy."

but no words came out. For a

*Click.*

The call ended.

was so absolute that it left

him, Linda had gone pale. Her lips were pressed together, and her hands were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into

firsthand settled deep within her,

then, her phone buzzed, shattering

I need to take this." She turned and walked away, her heels clicking

against the sink. Her hands trembled

"Clark," she answered.

You know my situation. I tried to invest in STARLINE Studios before, but they turned me down. Arnold was supposed to help us with

phone tightened. She didn't

Sarah.

That name again.

Always in the way.

think of something. I'm running out

jaw clenched. She wanted to lash out, but she knew it wouldn't help. Instead, she took a steadying breath

gaze landed on the electronic screen outside the restroom, still displaying footage from the STARLINE

with Sarah

as Sarah spoke with effortless poise, answering questions with intelligence and confidence. There was no trace of uncertainty in her expression, no hint of hesitation in her voice. She

then, Linda noticed something

Cole.

near the stage,

were locked on her, his focus

casual glance. It was the kind of gaze that