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."

he said them made them seem

briefly, turning her head slightly in his direction. There were too many eyes on them for her to ignore the comment

a polite, measured response. "Thank you for your

But deep

Last year.

a formal gathering, they had been with a group of acquaintances at a restaurant. She had slipped....not

been standing

yet, in order to avoid suspicion, in order to keep his reputation untangled from hers,

never forgotten

many people, offering concern where once

her notes tightened slightly before she relaxed her

weather had

icy rain, making the pavement treacherous. As she stepped onto the stone steps leading to the exit, she felt the slickness beneath

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

had followed them out, caught sight of

a second thought, he stepped forward, walking toward

not, his shoulder clipped Sarah's with

guard, she

forward, the icy steps beneath her offering no support. A sharp intake of breath left her lips as she braced for impact, her arm's

before she could hit the ground, strong

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

than the near fall itself. Her hands pressed against his chest

she demanded, her voice sharp with

as if he hadn't heard her. His

"Hold the umbrella steady."