Ethan Storm’s Dark Awakening novel Chapter 34

34

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At that moment, Belen stepped forward, clearing his throat, wearing an expression of forced benevolence. He raised his voice, pretending to be magnanimous, but the false generosity laced in his tone didn’t fool anyone in the room.

“Since Alice is fine,” he began smoothly, his eyes sweeping the gathering with deliberate weight, “it’s time she continues contributing to the family. The Irving family may be finished now, but rumor has it.. the mysterious owner of Nova Corp has taken an interest in her.”

A ripple of intrigued murmurs echoed through the room. Some nodded with greedy excitement, others leaned forward, already imagining the benefits such a connection could bring.

Belen gave a slow, calculated nod, as if what he was saying was purely for Alice’s benefit. “So she needs to stop wasting time with that broke guy she met at the restaurant. I mean I saw her just hours ago with a broke guy at a restauran. It’s time to cut him loose and focus on pursuing the real prize-the boss of

Nova Corp.” (1)

The words settled in the air like dust, unwanted but impossible to ignore. Around the room, Alice saw faces nodding in approval, their expressions filled with shallow hope. Her family-plotting again. Using her like a pawn, just like before. They didn’t care about her feelings. Only status. Wealth. Power.

Disillusionment surged inside her, hot and suffocating. Then a bold idea flickered in her mind, and before she could stop herself, a cold chuckle escaped her lips.

“You mean that broke guy?” Her voice sliced through the room, cold and unyielding. “The one from the restaurant? That man is the mysterious boss of Nova Corp.”

Her words hung in the stunned silence that followed, and she watched with satisfaction as smug expressions turned into wide-eyed shock.

Belen’s jaw slackened, his confident smile instantly faltering. “What nonsense are you spouting?” he demanded, voice rising slightly.

Alice took a step forward, her gaze locked on his. “You heard me. You’ve already offended him, Belen. I suggest you remember that.”

Gasps exploded around the room. Someone dropped a glass. Accusatory whispers flew like daggers toward Belen.

“How could you be so careless?” a cousin hissed, eyes narrowed with anger.

“You’ve doomed us all with your arrogance!” another spat, glaring at him like he’d committed treason.

Belen’s confident facade shattered. Panic flickered in his eyes. “No… No, that’s impossible,” he stammered, shaking his head in disbelief. “The man you’re talking about-he showed no sign of being a CEO. He was just some nobody.”

He straightened, voice desperate and defensive. “You’re lying, Alice. Bring this guy here. Let him prove who he really is.”

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34

At that moment, Belen stepped forward, clearing his throat, wearing an expression of forced benevolence. He raised his voice, pretending to be magnanimous, but the false generosity laced in his tone didn’t fool anyone in the room.

“Since Alice is fine,” he began smoothly, his eyes sweeping the gathering with deliberate weight, “it’s time she continues contributing to the family. The Irving family may be finished now, but rumor has it… the mysterious owner of Nova Corp has taken an interest in her.”

A ripple of intrigued murmurs echoed through the room. Some nodded with greedy excitement, others leaned forward, already imagining the benefits such a connection could bring. 41

Belen gave a slow, calculated nod, as if what he was saying was purely for Alice’s benefit. “So she needs to stop wasting time with that broke guy she met at the restaurant. I mean I saw her just hours ago with a broke guy at a restauran. It’s time to cut him loose and focus on pursuing the real prize-the boss of Nova Corp.” (1

The words settled in the air like dust, unwanted but impossible to ignore. Around the room, Alice saw faces nodding in approval, their expressions filled with shallow hope. Her family-plotting again. Using her like a pawn, just like before. They didn’t care about her feelings. Only status. Wealth. Power.

Disillusionment surged inside her, hot and suffocating. Then a bold idea flickered in her mind, and before she could stop herself, a cold chuckle escaped her lips.

“You mean that broke guy?” Her voice sliced through the room, cold and unyielding. “The one from the restaurant? That man is the mysterious boss of Nova Corp.”

Her words hung in the stunned silence that followed, and she watched with satisfaction as smug expressions turned into wide-eyed shock.

Belen’s jaw slackened, his confident smile instantly faltering. “What nonsense are you spouting?” he demanded, voice rising slightly.

Alice took a step forward, her gaze locked on his. “You heard me. You’ve already offended him, Belen. I suggest you remember that.”

Gasps exploded around the room. Someone dropped a glass. Accusatory whispers flew like daggers toward Belen.

“How could you be so careless?” a cousin hissed, eyes narrowed with anger.

“You’ve doomed us all with your arrogance!” another spat, glaring at him like he’d committed treason.

Belen’s confident facade shattered. Panic flickered in his eyes. “No… No, that’s impossible,” he stammered, shaking his head in disbelief. “The man you’re talking about-he showed no sign of being a CEO. He was just some nobody.”

He straightened, voice desperate and defensive. “You’re lying, Alice, Bring this guy here. Let him prove who he really is.”

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