Third Person’s <b>POV </b>
At the Duskgrave <b>Estate </b>
J
+8 Pearls
Moonlight filtered faintly through the heavy storm clouds still hanging above the Stormridge mountains, but inside the Duskgrave estate, warmth pulsed from the hearth<b>, </b>casting flickering shadows across the marble floors.
Duke stumbled through the front doors of the manor, soaked in exhaustion, dark circles beneath his eyes heavy like bruises. Without <b>a </b>shred of decorum, he copsed onto the velvet–lined sofa <b>with </b><b>a </b>theatrical sigh.
“<b>Aaah</b>–finally. Heaven.”
Mrs. Beck, who had been dusting the shelves with practiced efficiency, nced over and smiled indulgently. She was used to his antics by now. “Another all–nighter?”
Duke groaned, <b>barely </b>managing to keep his eyes open. “All–<b>nighter</b>? Please. That wasn’t work, <b>that </b>was <b>a </b>soul–extraction ritual. If Alpha Lucien had ruled in ancient times, I swear he would’ve been a tyrant. He’s draining me dry before I even hit thirty
A low, maic voice echoed <b>from </b>the staircase above.
“Duke, it sounds like <b>you </b>have quite a fewints about your Alpha.”
The sound alone made Duke jolt upright as if struck by lightning. He snapped into a straight posture, grinning like a loyal mutt, eyes twinkling with faux sincerity.
“Not at all! <b>You’re </b>the sun in my sky, Alpha. Every day working under you warms my cold, withering heart.”
He clutched his chest dramatically. Mrs. Beck and <b>Mia</b><b>, </b>standing by the dining <b>room </b>arch, both chuckled softly at his s antics. The whole estate seemed lighter for a moment<b>, </b></divughter chasing away the remnants of the storm outside.
Lucien descended the <b>stairs</b>, <b>sharp </b>in <b>a </b><b>ck </b>cashmere sweater and cks, his aura cool andmanding. He took the armchair opposite Duke<b>, </b>resting his elbows on his knees as he asked calmly. “How did it <b>go</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
Duke straightened, pride flickering in <b>his </b>tired eyes. “The Ebonw Pack’s empire? Crumbled. Kael Vale didn’t even <b>have </b>time to beg. But that’s not all. I made a rather… interesting discovery.”
Lucien appeared disinterested, reaching for the folded <b>financial </b>bulletin atop the coffee table. He leaned backzily, eyes skimining the headlines <b>as </b>he murmured, “I’m listening.”
Duke, eager to impress, cleared his throat. “Turns out, <b>Kael’s </b>father, Alpha ric Vale, sold off all his stock in the Vale Holdings <b>months </b><b>ago</b>. <b>Liquidated </b>it. <b>And </b>guess where the money went?”
Lucien’s eyes remained on the page. “Surprise <b>me</b>.”
To a single ount under a name you’ll know–Dean Elira ckthorn.”
Now that got his attention.
Lucien set the paper down with a soft rustle. His expression was unreadable, but <b>his </b>gaze sharpened like a dagger <b>drawn </b>from its sheath
<b>Duke </b>continued. “The Elonw Pack’s ounts were already riddled <b>with </b>holes <b>Tax </b>evasion, embezzlement, <b>copsed </b>trust funds. Even if we hadn’t
ownership of the shed them, they would’ve imploded within weeks. But the kicker! A few months ago, the legal
group was quietly transferred”
Lucien’s brow arched faintly “To Karl?”
“Exactly All under ric’s instructions. He set <b>his </b>own son up as the scapegoat”
Lucien leaned back into the chair, azy smirk curling at the edge of his lips <b>ric </b>Vale what an impressive coward.”
141PMP P.
+8 Pearls
Duke shrugged, still baffled. “Honestly, I <b>don’t </b>get the guy. He built apany from the ground up, only to sell it for scraps. and leave <b>his </b>son to take the fall. For a woman, no less.”
Lucien tapped the armrest with two fingers, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. “<b>And </b>Kael?”
“Arrested, most likely. The Tribunal <b>was </b><b>already </b>waiting outside thepany tower when he showed up. As the legal representative, he’ll be prosecuted for tax fraud. Might serve real time, too.”
Lucien’s expression didn’t change, but there <b>was </b>an unmistakable chill in his <b>eyes</b>. “Shame. I was hoping he’dst a little longer
Duke stretched with a yawn, rubbing his eyes. “Honestly, I don’t <b>think </b>he had another round in him. Looked like he’d already been ttened by the world.”
Just then, amotion stirred at the front entrance.
“I need to speak with Riley. Now. It’s urgent,” <b>came </b>a familiar voice–low, anxious, and insistent.
Duke, half–asleep, frowned. “Who the hell is that?”
Mia nced toward the door. “It’s healer Theo Hale.”
“Who?” Duke asked, brows knotting in confusion as he turned to Lucien for rity.
Lucien didn’t even need to look. He’d recognized the voice the moment it pierced the manor’s calm.
His tone was cool and indifferent as always, but firm. “Let him in.”
Send Gifts
294
A Broken Alpha Heiress Revenge
+8 Pearls