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

Chapter 173

As he took his seat, Dalton's initial surprise faded into quiet observation. He glanced toward the stage and immediately caught sight of Arnold. His brows furrowed slightly.

*She's not here because of him, is she?*

For some reason, that thought unsettled him.

His attention shifted back to Sarah. He watched as she remained fully engaged

with the conference, jotting down key figures, nodding slightly at points that seemed to align with her research. Her posture was upright, poised, with not the slightest indication of distraction.

And yet, Arnold....who was supposed to be focused on the event....kept glancing toward their side.

Dalton noticed it more than once.

A flicker of something....mild confusion, faint intrigue....passed through his mind.

Why was Arnold looking this way so often? And why did Sarah, in contrast, seem completely indifferent to his presence?

The contrast unsettled him.

The meeting eventually came to an end, and as attendees began gathering their things, Sarah packed up her notes methodically, wasting no time. She rose from her seat, ready to leave, her steps precise and measured.

Arnold, standing not too far away, watched her retreating figure for a few moments before he moved.

Dalton, still seated, narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Arnold follow her. Outside the conference hall, with several executives and media figures lingering nearby, Arnold spoke in a voice loud enough to be overheard.

"It's raining outside, you'll slip easily in high heels," he remarked, his tone carrying an odd familiarity. "Be careful in a while."

but the way he said them made them

direction. There were too many eyes

offered a polite, measured response. "Thank you

But deep

Last year.

a formal gathering, they had been with a group of acquaintances at

been standing

order to avoid suspicion, in order to keep his reputation untangled from hers, he had refused

never forgotten

many people, offering concern where once there

slightly before she relaxed her fingers.

weather

a dull gray, snowflakes mixing with icy rain, making the pavement treacherous. As she stepped onto the stone steps leading to the exit, she felt the slickness beneath her heels. Her pace slowed instinctively each

not rushing ahead, not offering his hand....but

sight of

a second thought, he stepped forward, walking toward

his movements casual....perhaps too casual. Whether intentional or not, his shoulder clipped Sarah's with

guard, she felt

offering no support. A sharp intake of breath left her lips

hit the

in one fluid motion and pulling her into his embrace. His grip was firm, unyielding, as if he

heartbeat spiked in irritation, more from the situation than the near fall itself. Her

demanded,

as if he hadn't heard her.

"Hold the umbrella steady."