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."

mouth opened, but no words came out. For a moment, he was

*Click.*

The call ended.

phone, dumbfounded. The rejection was so absolute that it

gone pale. Her lips were pressed together, and her hands were clenched so tightly that

hearing Colton's dismissal firsthand settled deep within her,

phone buzzed,

before standing. "Excuse me. I need to take this." She turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she

behind her and leaned against the sink.

"Clark," she answered.

need your help. You know my situation. I tried to invest in STARLINE Studios

grip on the phone tightened. She didn't

Sarah.

That name again.

Always in the way.

need to think of something. I'm running out

knew it wouldn't help. Instead, she took a

the electronic screen outside the restroom, still

with 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

Linda noticed something

Cole.

near the

on

kind of