Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 271

“Ms. Watson,” Drake said, his voice deceptively soft as he set down his cards and rose from his seat. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere.”

Emma looked momentarily triumphant as Drake moved toward her, leaving Ava standing awkwardly behind his empty chair. The smug expression on Emma’s face made me want to slap her, my fingers curling into fists at my sides, even though I had no reason to defend

either Drake or Ava.

As Drake and Emma stepped away from the table, I heard Emily–the woman who had confronted Ava at the shooting range–lean toward Ava with a vicious smile.

“Looks like Drake found more suitable company,” she stage–whispered. “Better luck next time.”

Ava’s face contorted with rage and humiliation. Her gaze darted to Joseph, who sat at a nearby table, studiously avoiding looking in her direction. The rejection in his posture was unmistakable.

Something in Ava seemed to snap. She grabbed a glass of red wine from the table and strode purposefully after Drake and Emma, who had paused near the entrance to the private dining area.

“Emma!” Ava called sharply.

Emma turned, one perfectly shaped eyebrow raised in question. The next moment, she was sputtering and gasping as Ava threw the contents of the wine glass directly into her face, the dark liquid splashing across her expensive white dress.

“You fucking bitch!” Emma shrieked, wine dripping from her chin onto the carpet.

Ava stood her ground, chin raised defiantly. “Stay away from him,” she hissed, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The restaurant erupted in shocked murmurs. My eyes widened, and I felt my mouth drop open in disbelief at the spectacle unfolding. Drake’s expression darkened ominously as he surveyed the scene, his gaze finally landing on me standing frozen among the spectators.

Our eyes locked, and a jolt of electricity shot through me. In that moment, I knew the evening was about to get much, much worse.

“Oh shit,” I whispered under my breath, unable to look away from his penetrating stare.

“What the hell is going on here?” Bruce demanded, his voice cutting through the silence. His eyes narrowed as he took in the scene-

Emma drenched in wine, Ava standing defiantly a few feet away, and Drake watching the entire situation with an unreadable expression.

Bruce turned to Joseph, who stood rigidly beside a dining table, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Ava. “This is doing what? Joseph, your people are taking things too far, don’t you think?” Bruce’s tone carried a clear challenge.

Joseph’s face remained expressionless as he shrugged. “Whoever did it should bear the consequences,” he replied coldly, making no move to defend Ava.

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16:42 Wed, May 6 d

Chapter 271

I watched Ava carefully, my fingers unconsciously digging into my palms as I noticed the flicker of pain that crossed her face at Joseph’s dismissal. Despite her outward confidence, her eyes revealed a profound sense of abandonment.

The situation felt painfully familiar. I’d been where Ava was now–desperately clinging to a man who valued me only in private, never publicly. She’d offended Emma, and Joseph’s refusal to stand up for her meant she would face isolation within the pack structure.

She thought she was fighting for love, I realized, feeling an unexpected surge of empathy. She probably believed that what they had was special, that she was fucking different. But in the end, she’s just another disposable tool, like I’ve been for Drake all these goddamn years.

Emma finally broke her stunned silence, dramatically wiping wine from her face with the back of her hand. She somehow managed to look dignified despite her ruined appearance.

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