Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 175

175 Burn The Bridge, Keep The Throne

Lucian

Claim

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” my father’s voice blasted through the phone, again. “You said

you were checking on your son in Neev-what are you doing in Goldenpeak? Don’t you know they’re elderly

I cut him off cold.

“Don’t you ever call me and speak to me like that again,” I snapped. “I’ve let a lot slide because you’re my

father, but not this. Not after what I’ve learned.”

The room was silent. All eyes were on me.

“Your wife stole from me for twenty-three years. You think I’m just going to let that go?” My voice was razor sharp. “If her parents won’t give me the information I need, then you can deal with Alaric Moongrove on your own. And when I say ‘deal with it, I mean without my money. Without my security.”

He didn’t say a word.

“I’m running a full audit,” I continued. “Every penny she siphoned from my mother’s legacy-you’re going to pay it back. And if you don’t? I’ll seize the mansion. I’ll take everything.”

Still nothing. He was stunned. I could feel the silence on the other end like a vacuum.

And I didn’t care.

After everything-leaving my mother’s family to rot while lavishing Martha’s with stolen comfort… trying to hand over her pack and company to that woman’s son-I felt nothing for the man.

I hung up.

The room felt colder now. Martha’s parents looked shaken, finally understanding who held the power now

-and it wasn’t the man they’d been calling for backup.

“I didn’t come here because I needed your help,” I said, standing tall. “I came to close a chapter. To protect Darian. Either Martha lied and there was no baby, or there’s something darker at play. Either way, I’m done.”

They looked terrified now, and good. They should be.

“You’ll receive no more financial support from me. I suggest you move back to your old home-or better

yet, ask my father to buy you a house. With his money.”

I turned to leave.

“Lucian,” Darian called after me.

I paused, jaw tight.

“I have no problem with you, Darian,” I said. “But if you take their side in this-you’ll lose me too.”

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175 Burn The Bridge Keep The Throne

He went quiet. He understood. He had to understand.

Because this wasn’t just about money. It was about betrayal. Legacy. Blood.

And I was done letting them walk all over mine.

Claim

“Alpha Lucian, please,” the old man said, voice trembling. “We truly don’t know anything. All we can tell you is what Martha told us. She ran away with Alaric… and came back a few years later. Said she’d been living

with her sister in Kent. We never confirmed anything. She said the child died during childbirth. That’s all

we know.”

I chuckled-humorless and bitter.

If that was the truth, then why hide it behind all the posturing? Why waste our time? The moment he tried

to run to my father for protection, the last of my patience burned away.

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have tried to bully me with my spineless father,” I said flatly.

Denis stood up without a word, done with the charade.

I turned to Darian. “You coming?”

He didn’t hesitate. Got up and followed. That meant something. I was proud of his decision, even if I knew

it wasn’t easy for him.

As we stepped outside, I spoke to him quietly. “Don’t waste your guilt on them, Darian. They’d rather watch your reputation crumble than lift a finger to help us uncover the truth.”

He nodded, though I could feel the conflict in him. But he knew I was right. If we didn’t find Alaric Moongrove, the next blow wouldn’t fall on me-it would fall on him and Martha. And yet, his own grandparents refused to help. Either from fear or misplaced loyalty-it didn’t matter. Their silence was

dangerous.

“Where are we going now?” Denis asked as we walked toward the car.

“I’m done with Goldenpeak,” I said, eyes fixed ahead. “Prep the chopper, Denis. We’re going home.”

None of us said anything after that.

The silence between us wasn’t empty-it was filled with decisions, realizations, and the cold truth that

some bridges deserve to burn.

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