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."

came out. For a moment, he was stunned. And

*Click.*

The call ended.

rejection was so

lips were pressed together, and her hands were clenched so tightly that her

humiliation of hearing Colton's dismissal firsthand settled deep within her,

buzzed,

to take this." She turned and walked away, her

she closed the door behind her and leaned against the sink. Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted

"Clark," she answered.

other end, Clark's voice was laced with frustration. "Linda, I need your help. You know my situation. I tried to invest in STARLINE Studios before, but they turned me down. Arnold was supposed to help us

phone tightened. She didn't need Clark to specify who

Sarah.

That name again.

Always in the way.

continued, his voice urgent. "You need to think of something. I'm running out of options, and I can't afford another

out, but she knew it wouldn't

on the electronic screen outside the restroom, still displaying

with Sarah was

with intelligence and confidence. There was no trace of uncertainty in her expression, no hint of hesitation in her voice. She commanded the

Linda

Cole.

standing near the stage, watching

on her, his

It was the kind of gaze that held respect. Interest.