Chapter 327 The Substitute
<b>Leslie’s </b>POV
“Tch. You invite just anyone, don’t you?” I muttered, face cold as I leaned toward Lorde.
He rubbed his forehead helplessly. “Mr. Carris brought him…”
My stomach sank. Of course. Carris–always the troublemaker.
If I’d known, I would’ve sent a gift through Liam and spared myself the headache.
Finished
I scoffed and started nning my escape–until Kirby began striding straight toward me.
Instinctively, I reached for Lorde’s arm, meaning to use him as a shield.
But before my fingers touched him, Carris darted in, grinning like the devil. He pped Lorde on the shoulder. “Birthday boy, a few friends want to sing for you. Come on, don’t keep them waiting!”
He dragged Lorde off without a chance to protest, even shooting me a wink. “Take care of yourself, Leslie…”
I shot him a re sharp enough to kill. Carris, you damned Scourge.
Grinding my teeth, I turned, intent on leaving, on evading Kirby’s eyes.
But the man who stepped in front of me wasn’t Kirby.
I froze for a heartbeat, then exhaled sharply.
Carl.
Dressed in a tailored suit, his presence was softer, polished. Hecked Kirby’s innate dominance, that suffocating pressure of an Alpha born tomand.
Carl’s smile was practiced, every angle rehearsed, and though it mimicked Kirby’s to a degree, it reeked of hollow courtesy. Something about it pricked my nerves.
Kirby never smiled like that.
“Leslie,” he said, voice careful, deferential. “It’s good to see you again.”
I inclined my head, expressionposed. With all these eyes watching, thest thing I needed was another headline.
<b>18:53 </b>Mon, <b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>
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Chapter 327 The Substitute
Finished
Carl hesitated, then pushed on. “I wanted to apologize about the hot searchst time. That photo… I asked a journalist friend to take it.”
One brow arched. As if I hadn’t already guessed. And yet, he admitted it here, of all ces.
Asphodel’s golden eyes glimmered within me, her voice a snarl. <i>Typical</i><i>. </i><i>Cause </i><i>trouble</i><i>, </i><i>then </i><i>whimper </i><i>for </i><i>forgiveness</i><i>. </i><i>Omegas </i><i>never </i><i>change</i>.
I didn’t bother correcting her. My gaze stayed fixed on Carl, waiting for what else he’d reveal.
His eyes flickered when my expression didn’t shift, but he forced himself on. “I know it caused you trouble. I’m sorry.”
I let a faint smile curl my lips, my tone edged with amusement. “You’re popr now. Best not to admit things like that out loud. Once is enough.”
Aurora Entertainment had sunk a fortune into his name. If he crashed too soon, I’d lose money. No–he had three months to earn it back, triple.
<b>Carl’s </b>POV
My heart hammered as I stood in that glittering hall, every word scraping my throat raw. “That photo on the hot search–it was me. I had a friend take it.”
For a moment, I thought she’d crush me with that pine–scented dominance.
But Leslie only smiled faintly, her voice steady. “You’re a rising star now. Don’t repeat the mistake.”
Relief crashed through me. She wasn’t angry? She wasn’t furious?
The rumors painted her as cold, ruthless, untouchable. But here—she was calm, almost
generous.
It had to be this face. The resemnce to Kirby. That was the reason,
My smile grew, warmth spilling into it. I stepped closer, letting a thread of pheromone bleed into the air. “Leslie, I’m new to this industry. I don’t know the ropes. I’ll need your guidance.”
The meaning was in. I wanted her backing.
Hadn’t Lorde soared the same way? Who wouldn’t be jealous of that path?
Even if I had to y the substitute for Kirby, I’d ept it.
Her answer was simple, businesslike. “Naturally.”
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Chapter 327 The Substitute
My chest leapt. My smile deepened.
That was consent. Surely it was.
18:53 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>
Burn in the Alpha Princess’s Wrath