Alpha's Discarded Luna (Talia) novel Chapter 248

Chapter 246

Talia’s POV

At exactly eight in the evening, Rafael and I arrive at Gerard’s music event. The venue is grand, all sweeping staircases and crystal chandeliers, with soft classical music playing in the background. It has been a while since I last saw Rafael, and when I do, I immediately notice the shadow of unease clouding his expression. His usual calm demeanor is gone, replaced by something tight and guarded.

I step closer, lowering my voice. “Rafael, is something wrong?”

He opens his mouth to answer, but before he can speak, a tall, imposing figure suddenly steps in front of me. The familiar scent of expensive cologne fills the air.

“We need to talk.”

ī

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I do not need to look up to know who it is. Aires’s voice is unmistakable, cold and commanding.

Before I can respond, Rafael moves swiftly. He positions himself protectively in front of me, his body blocking Aires’s approach. His sharp gaze locks onto Aires with barely contained hostility.

“What do you want, Aires?” 1/7

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Aires gives him a glance. Brief. Indifferent. Dismissive. Like Rafael is nothing more than an inconvenience.

“If you have time to meddle in other people’s affairs, maybe you should focus on your own first.”

Rafael’s jaw tightens. His hands curl into fists at his sides.

I frown slightly, glancing between them. Something is going on here that I do not understand. “Rafael, what is going on?”

His voice is hoarse, strained. “It is… nothing.”

I want to press him further, to demand the truth, but Aires’s cool, composed voice cuts in first.

“I need to talk to you about the studio and Nick.”

My expression flickers. So that is what this is about. I should have known.

I turn to Rafael, forcing calm into my voice. “Rafael, wait here. I will be right back.”

“But–” His concern is obvious, written across his face in the furrow of his brow and the set of his jaw.

I give him a reassuring smile, hoping it reaches my eyes. “Do not worry. He is not going to do anything to me.”

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Rafael and I grew up together. To me, he is like an older brother, protective and loyal. Before my mother passed away, Rafael promised her he would take care of me. He has kept that promise, even when it cost him. He has brought up marriage multiple times over the years, but I never took it seriously. There is no romantic love between us, and Rafael feels the same. He just believes that marrying me is the only way to truly protect me, to give me the security and status I lack on my own.

I do not agree. But I also do not argue. Some battles are not worth fighting.

To avoid drawing attention, Aires leads me into a private lounge off the main hall. The room is small but elegant, with velvet chairs and a low table in the center. A contract lies on the table, crisp white pages waiting to be signed

I cast a casual glance at it and see that it is a lease transfer agreement. I had assumed this was about Nick. About the video, the trending topic, the damage to my studio. But instead, it is about Imema’s studio.

Typical. Choosing a woman over a friend.

Aires hands the contract to me, his voice low and cold. “Sign it.”

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I take the contract and flip through it quickly. Just as I expected. He wants me to transfer the studio to Imema. In return, he will compensate me with twenty million dollars. By all accounts, that is a generous offer. More than generous.

But.

“I assume that since you know about the studio situation, Nick and Imema must have told you how much compensation I actually asked for.”

Aires’s voice deepens, his eyes narrowing. “You know that is impossible.”

I sigh, almost pitying him. He is so predictable. So trapped in his own worldview. “Then we have nothing to talk about.”

Aires studies me, his dark eyes narrowing further. A dangerous glint flashes within them, the kind that usually makes lesser men step back.

r

“Sign the contract. Take down the trending post. And I will let the whole ‘vandalizing Imema’s studio‘ incident slide.” He pauses. “You will still get the compensation.”

I raise an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “Something happened to

Imema’s studio?”

Aires’s gaze bores into me, sharp and unyielding. He i

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searching for something, a crack in my composure, a tell. “You do not know?”

“Of course, I do not.” My expression remains composed, unruffled. “I have been busy preparing for my concert. I do not have time to keep up with every minor event in Imema’s life.”

His voice is calm, but edged with steel. “My investigation shows that the people who attacked Imema’s studio were your fans.”

“So?”

Aires’s lips curl slightly, something between a smirk and a threat. “Are you saying you were not involved?”

I let out a short laugh, short and sharp. “If I did it, I would admit it. If I did not, I did not.” I meet his eyes without flinching. “I will not lie. I would love to see that place trashed. But I have a concert to prepare for. I do not have time to waste on irrelevant people.”

Aires’s tone remains indifferent, like we are discussing the weather. “Whether you were behind it or not, twenty million is still a good deal.”

“A good deal?” I lift my gaze, locking eyes with his. The temperature in the room seems to drop. “My concert is in a few days. Now, I have to find a new studio and completely renovate

Your time is valuable, but mine is not?”

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Chapter 246

Aires’s expression does not change. He is a wall, immovable. “Blame your fans for that.”

I understand exactly what he means. It does not matter whether I was responsible. Her fans did it, so it is her problem. The logic is infuriating, but not surprising.

She and I have never gotten along. In Aires and Nick’s eyes, I openly bullied Imema in front of them. Every confrontation, every crossed word, every moment Imema played the victim while I stood my ground. Of course they would think I am capable of orchestrating this. Of course they would assume the

worst.

I place the contract back on the table, sliding it toward him. “If you want the studio, follow my terms. One hundred million, upfront. No negotiations.”

Aires’s expression hardens, his jaw tightening. “Talia, greed will be your downfall.” His voice is low, dangerous. “I am still offering you compensation. Be smart.”

“And if I refuse?”

A faint smirk appears on Aires’s lips, but his eyes are cold, calculating. He tilts his head slightly. “If I remember correctly, the studio is actually owned by Rafael, is it not?”

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< Chapter 246

My expression shifts. The calm composure cracks, just for a moment. My gaze turns sharp.

“What are you planning?” I step closer, my voice dropping. “If you have a problem, take it up with me. Leave Rafael out of this!”

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