Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 116

Chapter 116

My eyes were fixed on the man who stood tall and proud on the stage.

“How do you feel about the deal?” the beta asked Tristan.

“I can’t say it’s nothing to me. This deal was equally important to me, just like it is to Alpha Rowan. The reason goes beyond mere resources.”

“Then what is it?”

Tristan’s eyes met mine as he replied,

“Some people believe that stealing a few projects might give them enough power to bring me down,” Tristan continued, his gaze finding mine across the room. “I simply wanted to show that person who can truly shake their confidence.*

The blood drained from my face as recognition dawned. The roses. The card. Let’s see if anyone can shake that confidence. It had been Tristan all along.

This victory wasn’t about business. It was about me. He’d pursued this project for the sole purpose of destroying my rising reputation in the business world. This wasn’t competition–it was revenge.

“Alaric was right,” Kieran murmured, fury radiating off him in waves. “He’s a bastard.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced my hands together, leading the applause. Others quickly joined, the sound swelling to fill the room. My palms stung from the force of my clapping, but I refused to let a single tear fall. Not here.

Not in front of him.

*****

The reception following the meeting felt like an elaborate form of torture. Crystal glasses clinked, laughter rolled through

the air, and I stood in the midst of it all with a smile so brittle I feared it might crack my face.

“You handled that with remarkable grace,” an older Alpha from Northern Pack con

would have stormed out.”

ed, stopping beside me. “Many

“Losing with dignity is still losing,” I replied, somehow maintaining my professional tone.

Another Alpha approached–Crystalcrest Pack’s leader. “Dignified defeat is more respectable than an ugly victory,” he offered, nodding toward Tristan who stood across the room, surrounded by admirers.

I smiled tightly. “Thank you for the sentiment.”

The evening dragged on endlessly. I mingled, networked, and pretended that my career hadn’t just been publicly

humiliated. Kieran hovered nearby, his protective presence both comforting and stifling.

“We should head back to the hotel,‘ he suggested after I’d finished another painful conversation about ‘future opportunities.”

Before I could respond, my hand jerked and cold liquid splashed down the front of my white dress.

“I’m so sorry!” I lied, grateful for the excuse. “I need to clean this before it stains.”

Chapter 116

I made my escape to the bathroom, locking myself in a stall where I finally allowed my composure to crack. One silent sob escaped before I clamped down on my emotions again. Five minutes. I would give myself five minutes to feel this failure, then lock it away forever.

After cleaning my dress as best I could, I stood before the mirror, gathering strength for another round of congratulating the wolf who’d deliberately sabotaged me. The face looking back was pale but determined. I straightened my shoulders and

headed for the door.