Chapter 319 A sh of Wills
<b>Kirby’s </b>POV
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My fists tightened, nails nearly breaking skin as they dug into my palms.
n shot me a sly nce, his mouth twitching with a grin that reeked of schadenfreude.
I pinned him with a re so sharp he instantly ducked his head, burying himself in the
+8 Pearls
papers<b>. </b>
Adler, ever the picture of grace, slid a packet of documents toward Leslie. His tone was smooth, polite. “Leslie, we should congratte Kirby–his legs have fully recovered.”
The words struck me like a hammer to the chest.
Lance roared within me. <i>He’s </i><i>baiting </i><i>you</i><i>! </i><i>The </i><i>old </i><i>fox </i>is <i>stirring </i><i>trouble</i>!
My gaze cut to Adler, storm–dark and heavy.
He knew I had feigned the injury. He knew what Leslie would think of me.
He said it deliberately. No doubt.
Leslie’s lips curled faintly, her eyes cool, edged with mockery. “Then congrattions, Kirby.”
The calmness in her voice sliced deeper than any de.
I forced myself to nod, my voice low, rough. “Thank you.”
Adler ignored mepletely, continuing as though I were invisible. “I’ve received word that several foreign investors are interested in the Moon Goddess relic project. It’s a matter of shared profit, though their terms vary.”
n frowned, tone cautious. “If we eptrge–scale funding, the project could reach heights unimaginable. But if it falters, the copse would be catastrophic. Rebuilding would be nearly impossible. I advise against it–for the sake of protecting the core technology.”
I let out a coldugh, lips curling. “So, they want in just to shove us aside when things get big? Even if we do take money, we’ll weigh every angle carefully. We’re nowhere near that point yet.”
Adler, infuriatingly, nodded in agreement.
It felt like <b>a </b>condescending pat on the head, and it only stoked my temper further.
Leslie raised a brow but offered no opinion. Her silence wasn’t what cut–it was the way she and Adler exchanged the smallest looks, wordless gestures that spoke volumes.
<b>11:03 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>
Chapter 319 A sh of Wills
A tilt of his head. A flick of her eyes. Effortless. Familiar.
Like they’d shared a century of understanding.
The bile of jealousy churned inside me, bitter and corrosive.
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When the meeting adjourned, Adler leaned toward her, voice low and nauseatingly gentle. “Leslie, let’s have dinner. <b>Is </b>there something you’d like?”
I was about to speak, but n jumped in first, grinning. “Count me in!”
My jaw clenched. “I’ll go as well,” I ground out, my face stiff with restraint.
But Leslie calmly gathered her papers, not even ncing up. “Go ahead. I have other matters<b>.” </b>
The air froze, her indifference cutting deeper than a de.
I stayed rooted, teeth grinding, watching her walk out–her back cold and distant as an iceberg.
n chuckled nervously, trying to diffuse the tension. “Alpha, you only invited Leslie. People might misunderstand… they’ll think you wanted a date.”
Adler’s smile was mild, but his eyes slid straight to me, gleaming with provocation. “And what if I did?<b>” </b>
Lance erupted inside me. <i>He’s </i><i>provoking </i><i>you</i><i>! </i><i>Kirby</i>–<i>tear </i><i>him </i><i>apart</i><i>! </i>
I met Adler’s stare head–on, my gaze sharp, murderous. “Seems some peopleck self- awareness<b>.</b><b>” </b>
His chuckle was soft, but the barbnded sharp. “If even Lord Kirby doesn’t have it, why should
<b>I</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
The sh was barefaced now, no longer hidden beneath pleasantries.
A sharpugh escaped me, wild and edged with venom, masking the hollow ache beneath.
I turned and left without another word.
Send Gifts
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<b>11:03 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>