Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 190

Chapter 185

Talia’s POV

I sit in the hotel room, scrolling through the news on my phone. The comments blur together, each one more ridiculous than the last.

Wow, I was wondering why that piano–playing girl’s account was deleted. Looks like the Thorne Group put out a gag order.

Insider reports say she offended both the Thorne Group and the Perseus Group bigwigs. That is why she was blacklisted.

The Thorne Group and Perseus family? Maybe she tried to seduce Nick and Aires, causing Imema to get the wrong idea and blacklist her.

Could be because she pissed off Imema. After all, everyone knows Nick and Aires are Imema’s knights in shining armor.

I let out a breath. Knights in shining armor. Please.

A knock comes at the door. I set my phone down and rise. When I open it, two uniformed police officers stand in the hallway.

“Ms. Jackson.” The first officer’s voice is formal, measured. “Someone has reported you for leaking business secrets. Please dome with us and co–operate with the investigation.”

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Chapter 185

Electra walks out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. Her face goes pale when she sees the uniforms. “Officers, Talia did not leak any trade secrets” She steps forward. “Are you sure you are not mistaken?”

The officer replies, his tone unchanged. “We will determine if there has been a mistake. For now, please co–operate with us,

miss.”

Electra opens her mouth to argue. I hold up a hand, stopping

her.

I nod at the officers. “I understand.”

I turn to Electra. “Do not worry. I will be fine.” I squeeze her hand. “Remember to contact a lawyer for me.”

Seeing my calm demeanor, her anxious heart settles a little. She nods. Right. She needs to find a lawyer.

I list off a few more instructions, keeping my voice low. When I finish, Electra’s face shows shock. Disbelief.

“Talia, did you…” She lowers her voice. “Plan all this in advance?”

I nod. Then I am taken away.

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The interrogation lasts all night. By the time dawn breaks outside, exhaustion pulls at my bones, my face haggard, etched with fatigue. The lawyer finally arranges bail. Ryan Russell works for Raymond. He arrived last night but was denied a meeting. Now, after hours of negotiation, he secures my release.

I walk into the police station lobby and stop.

Two familiar figures stand near the entrance. Nick and Imema.

They are dressed impeccably. Radiant. I am the opposite. A night of interrogation leaves me looking like I have been dragged through something. Nick catches sight of my disheveled appearance and lets out a mocking whistle.

“Well, well.” He grins. “If it is not our rich lady. What brings you out of the police station so early?” He tilts his head. “Did you get into trouble?”

I glance at them, my voice cool. “It is quite the effort for you two to skip your beauty sleep and come here just to mock me.” I pause. “With this much attention, people might think you are in love with me.”

We are old enemies. No outsiders around. No need for pretense.

Nick feigns gagging. “Who would be blind enough to

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Chapter 185

dropout like you?” He shakes his head. “You really have no

shame.”

He steps closer. “I came here today to kindly remind you, Talia. Your good days are over.” His voice sharpens. “Were not you putting on quite the act the other day? Even had the nerve to challenge us at the auction.”

He sneers. “Do not think spending money makes you untouchable. Oh, and by the way, the police have already seized your auction items from your home.” He pauses for effect. “Your personal accounts are frozen too.”

He crosses his arms. “You think we are here for you? How conceited. We are here to submit evidence of your crimes.” His smile is sharp. “You are out on bail now, but you will be back in custody soon. Let us see… probably by tomorrow.” He leans in. “No one can save you now. Just wait for your prison sentence!”

His voice drips with triumph. Lately, I have outsmarted him repeatedly. He has never felt so vindicated.

He straightens up. “Talia, if you do not want to end up behind bars, beg me. For Aeson’s sake, I might put in a good word for you with Alpha.”

I smile. Calm. Unbothered. No trace of fear.

Nick frowns. “Talia, what are you laughing at?”

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Chapter 185

My voice is light. “I am laughing at your stupidity.”

Imema chuckles beside him, stepping forward. “Ms. Jackson, I know you do not want to show weakness in front of us, but you are in no position to act tough. There is no shame in admitting defeat.”

Her gaze falls on the necklace around my neck. Not Melody. The one my mother left me.

“If you are willing to return the necklace to me and gift me your Di Lian, I think…” She smiles. “Alpha might be willing to forgive you for stealing his trade secrets.”

I look at her. She does not value this necklace. But she still wants

1. it. What she wants, she believes, should be hers. The necklace.

The piano. Aires.

୮

I smile. “Ms. Volkov, I used to think you were clever, but now I see you are not. You should know I have already filed for divorce from Aires.”

Her smile falters.

“But you did not believe me. You thought I was playing hard to get, and you even sabotaged me multiple times.” I pause. “To be honest, without your interference, Aires and I would have divorced long ago, and I would have left with nothing.”

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I let the words settle. “But thanks to you, Ms. Volkov, I have come into a fortune.”

I look at her seriously. “Ms. Volkov, you have been such a great help. Otherwise… how could I have afforded to compete with you at the auction?” I smile. “You really wanted that Melody, didn’t you? Without your help, I would not have been able to win it.”

2

Imema’s eyes redden with anger. Her voice turns sharp. “Just wait. However you got that billion dollars, you will have to give

it back!”

I smile faintly. “Is that so?” I turn. “We will see.”

I walk away without another word.

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