Crippled Luna's Farewell Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception novel Chapter 157

Linda, however, wasn’t concerned. “He’s just being polite. STARLINE Studio is valuable to him. It’s business.”

Charles, who had just arrived, caught part of the conversation and frowned. “What’s going on? Where’s Cole?”

Flora pointed again. “Down there. With Sarah.”

Charles turned toward the window and immediately scoffed. “Come on, don’t overthink it. Cole and Sarah? They’re not dating. That’s ridiculous.”

Flora glanced at him, reassured by his certainty. “You’re sure?”

“A hundred percent,” Charles said confidently. “Cole isn’t the type to get involved with someone like Sarah.”

Despite his words, Flora couldn’t shake the unease settling in her chest.

***

Cole, meanwhile, had noticed the subtle glances from the second-floor window. Linda and Charles were watching. Without acknowledging them, he gave Sarah a small nod and excused himself.

Upstairs, he joined the others, engaging in small talk as expected. But on the drive home, his mind was elsewhere.

Out of nowhere, he turned to Charles and asked, “When does Arnold’s rejection ceremony take place?”

Charles blinked, slightly taken aback by the question. He hadn’t thought Cole cared much about Arnold and Sarah’s unresolved relationship.

“It was supposed to happen already, but there’s been a delay,” Charles explained. “Something about a company under Arnold’s name—it needs a transfer of ownership before the formalities can be done. But it won’t take long.”

Cole nodded. “I see.”

Charles studied him, searching for any sign of what he was thinking. But Cole’s expression gave nothing away.

***

The night of the reception arrived.

Sarah and Leo had spent the day buried in work, finalizing projects before leaving for the event. By the time they arrived, the venue was already filled with well-dressed guests.

The night air inside the venue carried a crisp elegance, mingling with the faint notes of champagne and expensive cologne. The chandeliers above cast a warm, golden glow over the crowd, their reflections shimmering off the marble floors.

Soft classical music wove through the conversations, adding a sophisticated backdrop to the evening.

Cole had been waiting near the entrance when he spotted them.

His gaze landed on Sarah, and for a brief moment, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Still, Linda wouldn’t allow jealousy to take root. She reassured herself that Sarah was just a pretty face—an empty shell. Unlike Sarah, she had both beauty and substance.

With that thought, she turned slightly, her eyes searching for Arnold’s reaction.

Sure enough, Arnold’s gaze had landed on Sarah, though his expression remained unreadable. He offered a simple nod in acknowledgment before looking away.

Satisfied, Linda smirked slightly. If Arnold wasn’t paying her any special attention, then Sarah was of no concern.

On the other side of the room, Dalton approached Leo, offering a handshake with his usual confident air.

“Leo,” Dalton greeted. “I’ve been spending more time in Silvermoon lately—plenty of business to handle.”

Leo accepted the handshake but with clear reluctance.

Dalton had a habit of pretending not to see Sarah whenever she was around, and tonight was no different.

Despite standing right beside Leo, she was ignored entirely.

Sarah, however, remained indifferent, unfazed by Dalton’s behavior. But Leo, who had been watching this dynamic for a while now, found it increasingly irritating.

His response to Dalton was short, almost dismissive. “I see. Busy, then.”