Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 177

Imema’s POV

Nick scoffs, waving a dismissive hand. “Alpha and I both checked. She dropped out of high school and never even graduated.” He snorts. “Mrs. Mildred Perseus was not wrong about her. She really does only have a junior high education.”

J

He sees me deep in thought and chuckles. “Wait… do not tell me you actually bought into what that Electra girl was saying? Something about Talia being from Altheria University?” He shakes his head. “I had someone ask around. No one has ever heard of her. She just made that up because she did not want to embarrass herself in public.”

I frown slightly. “But she does have some skill.” The average person might not be able to tell, but as a professional, I can recognize talent when I see it.

୮

Nick waves me off. “So she pulled off one impressive performance. Big deal. Have you never had a moment of exceptional play?” He leans back. “Besides, her mother was the famous pianist Serena Jackson. Just being around her probably gave her some exposure. It is not that surprising if she knows how to play.”

He smirks. “And who is to say she did not practice in secret? Maybe she found out Alpha likes piano music and decided to5:35

Chapter 177

train just to get his attention.”

He continues confidently. “That includes this whole divorce stunt. She thought that by demanding a divorce, she could manipulate Alpha. But Alpha is not falling for it.” He grins. “Just watch. Sooner or later, she will come crawling back, begging for another chance.”

My tense expression relaxes. He is right. I have had moments of exceptional performance too. I even asked around in the music scene about Talia. No one has ever heard of her.

Maybe Nick is right. Maybe she really has just been practicing in secret all along.

At 7:30 PM, the Starlight City Auction begins.

A sleek black luxury car pulls up at the entrancę. The door swings open, and a tall, handsome man steps out gracefully. His presence is refined, dignified, exuding an air of prestige.

Right after, he extends his hand and helps the woman inside step out. She is dressed in an elegant moon–white gown, her figure slender and graceful. Her long hair is neatly pinned up, revealing a smooth, fair forehead. Her entire appearance is ethereal and exquisite, as if untouched by the mundane world. 2/6

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“That is Aires and Imema!” Someone in the crowd recognizes us and sighs in admiration.

I step out of the car, and the murmurs wash over me. A soft, refined smile graces my lips. I bask in the attention. I enjoy being the center of admiration.

“They really are a perfect match.” A woman’s voice drifts toward me. “It is such a pity that Mrs. Mildred Perseus forcibly separated them. I thought Aires would eventually marry someone of equal social standing…”

Another voice cuts in. “And yet, he ended up with a woman who barely has a middle school education. Someone who is nowhere near Imema in any respect.”

“Middle school education?” Someone gasps. “No way!”

“It is only possible if she was his fated mate—”

“Fated mate?” A sharp laugh. “Are you kidding me? If it were not for her pregnancy, and the fact that it is a boy, Aires would not have even been allowed to marry her.”

A man chimes in. “The Alpha is truly exceptional in every regard. Not only has he graduated from one of the world’s top finance universities, he earned dual PhDs at a young age. He is a certified business genius.” He pauses. “How can his wife, with Bust a middle school education, even keep up with hin What do

Chapter 177

they even talk about?”

“I know, right?” A woman nods vigorously. “Is this even real? I have never heard anything about Aires’s wife before.”

“Mrs. Mildred Perseus confirmed it herself.” Another voice

joins. “Do you really think it is fake? Aires would rather bring his first love than his own wife to events. What does that tell

you?” She lowers her voice. “It means she is not just lacking in family background and education. She is probably not even

attractive.”

Someone sighs dreamily. “Aires really is a romantic. After all these years, he still cannot forget his first love.”

“Well, Imema is exceptional.” A woman’s voice rises with pride. “I heard she is a renowned pianist and graduated from Altheria University’s Music Academy. She has won multiple international awards.” She sniffs. “There is no way that woman can compare to her.”

“Exactly!” A man nods. “Even Aires’s close friend Nick said so. Aires’s wife is plain and unfashionable. Not someone he would ever want to bring out in public.”

“Just the other day, Imema’s competition video was trending online.” Another voice chimes in. “Where she outperformed those foreign musicians. It was so satisfying to watch! She really made our country proud.”

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“Beautiful, talented…” Someone sighs. “If her family background were better, she would be the perfect goddess.”

I let the words wash over me. They feel good. They feel right.

Ever since I realized that high society values education and talent, I found the key to increasing my worth. Nick carefully edited clips of my international competition performances, my battles against world–famous pianists, and posted them online. At the same time, he spread the news about Aires’s wife only having a middle school education. People love comparisons.

With Talia the nobody in contrast, my status as a celebrated pianist seems even more prestigious. In today’s world, if you reach the pinnacle of your field, even marrying into a wealthy family does not make you a mere accessory.

Even Mildred’s attitude has softened significantly after learning I graduated from Altheria University. Just recently, Nick took me to Perseus Manor to visit her.

Shockingly, instead of giving me the cold shoulder and treating me like a responsibility left behind after my mother’s death, Mildred actually inquired about my experiences abroad in great detail.

When I first came back from overseas, her warmth had been intermittent. While he helped me bond with Aeson and impress 5/6

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him, she never left a chance to remind me that I left her son willingly, and that she’s helping me keep up the lie that it was her pressure that forced us to break up.

In short, she constantly wanted me to acknowledge that I owe

her.

But after seeing her behaviour over the past few days, Nick has decided to work even harder, hyping up my achievements, my prestigious background.

Now, I am the esteemed pianist everyone envies and respects. If I could gain the recognition of Sebastian, I would surpass Serena in status and prestige.

I am still basking in the admiration when another car pulls up to the entrance. The moment the crowd sees the luxury vehicle, a collective gasp ripples through them.x

“Wait…” Someone’s voice rises. “Oh Gosh! Is that Raymond’s

car?”

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