Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 227

< Alpha’s Discarded Luna

Chapter 225

James‘ POV

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Talia glances at me, her expression indifferent, like I am just an annoying fly buzzing around her ear.

“You heard about it?” Her voice is calm, unhurried. “And who

exactly did you hear it from? Do you have a reputed source,

or is it just baseless gossip?”

She tilts her head slightly. “Also, who said someone with a

middle school education could not understand Norvish?”

Her eyes lock onto mine, sharp and unwavering. “Mr. Scott, are you discriminating against people based on their

education?”

The words land like stones in still water. Ripples spread through the audience.

“Would you like me to list a few highly influential figures who did not have fancy degrees?” She raises an eyebrow. “Or would that be too embarrassing for you?”

My expression stiffens. I had been too absolute in my

my words.

In my eagerness to humiliate her, I spoke without thinking.5!15

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can feel the eyes of the other judges on me, the weight of

their scrutiny.

Earlier, I was merely following orders, making things difficult for Talia as a formality. A task given to me by people whose names I don’t dare to speak aloud.

At the same time, I too expected her to cower and accept my

authority with downcast eyes.

But she isn’t humbly accepting anything at all. She is openly challenging me, and my annoyance flares hot in my chest.

My wolf stirs beneath my skin, restless and defensive. My gaze darkens as I lock eyes with her.

I had planned to leave Talia some dignity. A scrap of it, at least. But since she clearly does not know how to appreciate kindness, she cannot blame me for showing no mercy.

I force a smirk onto my face. “Apologies, that was my mistake.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. “I misspoke

earlier. Indeed, education alone does not determine a

person’s worth.”

pause, letting the silence stretch. 2/8

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“However, Ms. Jackson.” My voice sharpens. “You have been a housewife for five years. Without a single day of

work experience.” I lean forward, letting my wolf’s authority bleed into my posture. “What qualifications do you have to compare yourself to great minds and heroes?”

My gaze grows sharper as I speak. My voice turns colder. My words carry a righteous weight, as if I am delivering justice itself. I expect her to falter. To stumble. To show some crack in that damnable composure.

There is not a trace of embarrassment or shame on Talia’s

face. She meets my gaze and says calmly, “I admit, I cannot compare myself to heroes or great minds.” She pauses. “But tell me, Mr. Scott, does having a higher education automatically put you on their level?”

My face stiffens. The words hit their mark.

When it comes to verbal sparring, I am clearly no match for Talia. Her voice is smooth and composed compared to my aggressive accusations. It is oddly pleasant to listen to, which

only makes me angrier.

Someone in the crowd murmurs, their voice carrying through

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< Chapter 225

the sudden quiet. “She does not speak or carry herself like

someone with only a middle school education. Could there

be a mistake?”

Another voice answers. “I do not think so. I heard Ms. Jackson is Aires Perseus’s ex–wife. No background, no status, and

apparently not much of an education.”

“But you cannot fake a person’s bearing.” A woman’s voice,

thoughtful. “Ms. Jackson does not seem like someone who

has never seen the world.”

“Maybe she is just putting on a show.”

The audience whispers among themselves, their opinions

scattered like leaves in the wind.

A glint of malice flashes through my eyes. “So, you are saying you refuse to admit to cheating?”

Talia stands tall on stage, meeting the crowd’s scrutiny

head–on without the slightest hesitation. Her spine is straight.

Her chin is lifted.

“That is right.” Her voice carries through the hall. “I do not

admit to it.”

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Imema’s POV

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In the audience, my eyelid twitches. I notice Nick starting yet another livestream, his phone angled toward the stage. A strange sense of unease creeps over me, prickling at the

back of my neck.

“Nick, what are you doing?” I keep my voice low, leaning

toward him.

Nick fiddles with his phone, barely glancing up. His thumbs move across the screen. “Livestreaming, of course.” He grins. “Talia’s fans need to see how pathetic she looks right now.”

I try to reason with him. My wolf stirs with anxiety. “Nick, just stop. Alpha is on a call, but once he comes back and sees

this, he is going to warn you again.”

For once, I am genuinely advising Nick to stop. Not putting on an act. Not pretending. Every single time Nick goes live, it backfires spectacularly. The evidence is overwhelming.

Not once has Nick managed to catch Talia embarrassing herself. Not once. If anything, his streams only make her shine brighter. She turns his traps into platforms. She uses his

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< Chapter 225

attacks to elevate herself.

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Nick flashes a confident smile, his beta nature making him stubborn. “Relax. My dad and Alpha are always telling me to help promote Talia.” He waves a dismissive hand. “This is just another way to do that.”

He adjusts his phone. “Besides, all those judges gave her perfect scores, and who would have thought she would turn out to be a cheater?” He snickers. “If she embarrasses

herself, that is on her. Not me.”

I open my mouth to say more, to warn him again, to shake some sense into him. But before I can, James‘ voice rings through the venue, amplified by the microphone.

He speaks a long string of Norvish. Fluent. Flowing. His accent is perfect, the kind that comes from years of study or a native speaker.

For a moment, those in the audience who understand the language are stunned. Their faces go blank with surprise. Then, laughter erupts. It starts in small pockets and spreads

like wildfire.

Diana, who does not understand Norvish, looks around in 6/8

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confusion at the amused faces around her. Her wolf bristles with frustration at being left out of the joke. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she leans toward me.

“What did the judge say?” Her voice is sharp. “Why is everyone laughing?”

I struggle to suppress a smile, my omega instincts making me want to soothe her irritation. “Mr. Scott said, ‘Let us be

honest, aside from the kindergarteners in attendance, I doubt there is anyone here with a lower level of education than Ms. Jackson.“”

Diana’s smirk spreads slowly across her face, wolfish and

satisfied. She turns to me, her eyes appraising. “I did not

expect you to be this capable.” Her tone shifts, warmer than

before. “You even understand Norvish.”

I notice the change in her attitude immediately. The way her posture relaxes. The way her wolf seems to settle. My heart leaps. I lower my head, suppressing my thrill, keeping my

voice soft and humble.

“You flatter me, aunt Diana.”

Nick chimes in, unable to resist boasting. “Oh, that is 7/8

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< Chapter 225

confusion at the amused faces around her. Her wolf bristles with frustration at being left out of the joke. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she leans toward me.

“What did the judge say?” Her voice is sharp. “Why is everyone laughing?”

I struggle to suppress a smile, my omega instincts making me want to soothe her irritation. “Mr. Scott said, ‘Let us be

honest, aside from the kindergarteners in attendance, I doubt there is anyone here with a lower level of education than Ms. Jackson.“”

Diana’s smirk spreads slowly across her face, wolfish and

satisfied. She turns to me, her eyes appraising. “I did not

expect you to be this capable.” Her tone shifts, warmer than

before. “You even understand Norvish.”

I notice the change in her attitude immediately. The way her

posture relaxes. The way her wolf seems to settle. My heart leaps. I lower my head, suppressing my thrill, keeping my

voice soft and humble.

“You flatter me, aunt Diana.”

Nick chimes in, unable to resist boasting. “Oh, that is 7/8

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< Chapter 225

nothing!” He gestures grandly. “Imema does not just speak Norvish. She is also fluent in Speinese, Germinese, Vellic, and Ondarian.” He counts on his fingers. “Along with several other common languages. She even has a decent grasp of some

less common ones.”

I keep my head lowered, but inside, I am smiling ear to ear.

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