Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 111

Chapter 109

Talia’s POV

I stare at Nick, disbelief coloring my voice. “Let me understand this correctly. You’re saying Aeson lost to me, not Imema?”

Nick puffs up, absolutely certain of his twisted logic. “Exactly. Imema was only 0.1 points behind you, and everyone knows that 0.1 points came from the

difference between Aeson and Robin. Technically, Imema didn’t lose her bet with you at all.”

The pieces click into place. Their scheme, their escape route, their carefully

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Chapter 109

constructed lie.

“So you’re not going to honor the bet.”

My voice is calm. Too calm. I’ve been here before, watched them twist reality to protect themselves. The numbness is familiar, almost comfortable.

Something flickers in Aires’s eyes. Surprise? Pity? I don’t care enough to analyze it.

Nick’s voice rises, defensive and loud. “Don’t make it sound so ugly! Imema didn’t lose the judges clearly stated the deduction was for Aeson.” He points

at me, accusatory. “Do you feel proud, beating a five–year–old? Your own son? If27

Chapter 109

you’re not embarrassed, go ahead and tell everyone. See who laughs at who.”

I look around the room. Athena’s eyes slide away, unable to meet mine. Diana’s face is stone, deliberately turned aside. Aeson stares at the floor, guilt written in every line of his small body.

“I lost,” he whispers. “It’s my fault.”

Imema says nothing. Just looks down, silent, letting Nick fight her battles!

I don’t bother looking at Aires. He’s not worth the glance.

Nick’s smirk returns. “See? Everyone

agrees.”

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Chapter 109

I smile–thin, cold, utterly without warmth. “Mr. Thorne, you’re so eager to defend Ms. Volkov. But this isn’t about

her, is it? It’s about you. About the bet you made with me.”

His face goes white.

The room shifts. Heads turn. Even Diana looks at him now, surprise breaking through her disdain.

Nick sputters, voice cracking. “What… what are you talking about?”

I pull out my phone. Press play.

The recording fills the room–his voice,

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smug

and confident, proposing the wager. My calm responses. The terms: if I lose,

I kneel and bark. If he loses, he does the

same.

His face cycles through colors–white, red, purple.

“That doesn’t count!” His voice is shrill

now. “You didn’t beat Imema, so the wager is void!”

The door swings open.

Felicia strides in, a crowd behind her- judges, parents, curious onlookers drawn by the commotion. Her eyes blaze with righteous fury.

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“Shame on you!” She points at Nick like he’s vermin. “Everyone saw you make that bet. Everyone heard the terms. Now you’re hiding behind a child?”

Raymond’s voice cuts through, cold and mocking. “A man should honor his word. Blaming a five–year–old for your failure? Pathetic.” He glances at Aeson, still hunched and miserable. “These adults

can’t match the integrity of a child.”

The onlookers murmur, contempt ” plain on their faces. In wealthy circles, nothing is worse than breaking one’s word. Business deals, social standing, reputation–all built on trust. The Perseus family just proved themselves untrustworthy.

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Chapter 109

I turn to Imema, ignoring the chaos.

“Ms. Volkov. If you believe the competition was unfair, if you think Aeson affected your score–we can compete again. Right now.”

I pause, letting the challenge land.

“I’m free all day. Compete once, twice, ten times. I’ll be here.”

The room holds its breath.

Imema says nothing. Her face is pale, her hands trembling slightly in her lap.

She knows, we all know. She lost, fair and

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square, and no amount of twisting will change that.

Imema’s POV

I understand exactly what Talia means. Her offer to compete again isn’t

generosity–it’s a declaration. No matter how many times we face each other, you’ll never win.

My nails dig into my palms. One breaks, slicing skin, but I feel nothing.

Because she’s right.

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Any true musician can recognize superior talent. And Talia’s talent isn’t just superior–it’s transcendent. Competing 4:27

Chapter 109

again would only prove what everyone already knows: I can’t beat her.

My jaw aches from clenching. For the first time, I let Talia see my true feelings- resentment, fury, the bitter unwillingness burning in my chest. No mask. No performance. Just raw, undiluted hatred.

“Imema.” Aires’s voice cuts through. “You

lost the bet. Honor it.”

I stare at him, betrayed. Even Aires? Even

he admits she’s better?

The room watches. The judges. The parents. Everyone.

If I refuse, my reputation crumbles,

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Chapter 109

entirely.

Tears burn my eyes–real ones, for once. My hands shake as they rise to my neck. The clasp is small, difficult. I fumble, desperate to delay, but it’s no use.

Talia’s voice is calm, merciless. “Ms. Volkov, do you need assistance?”

I rip the necklace free and thrust it toward her.

“Here.” The word is ground glass in my mouth. “You won. This time.”

Her fingers close around the pendant. For a moment, her composure cracks. Her eyes glisten, her lips tremble. She looks427

< Chapter 109

broken. Vulnerable.

Aires stares at her like he’s never seen her before. But that’s the least of my worries right now.

She has the necklace back, fine. But Di

Lian? That treasure will be mine. I’ll find

a way.

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