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 seem weightier

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

offered a polite, measured response. "Thank you for your concern. I will

her voice calm. But deep inside, something

Last year.

acquaintances at a restaurant.

had been standing

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

had never forgotten

of so many people, offering concern where once there had been nothing

tightened slightly before she relaxed

the weather had

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

at her side, not rushing ahead,

them out, caught sight of

second thought, he

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

guard, she felt

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

before she could hit the ground, strong arms encircled

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

irritation, more from the situation than the near fall itself. Her hands pressed against

she demanded, her

however, acted as if he hadn't

"Hold the umbrella steady."