Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 282

AUTHOR’S POV.

Her breath hitched, her eyes widening as disbelief and awe stole the words from her tongue.

Whatever stood beyond that door was unlike anything she had expected.

Her heart thudded once, sharply.

“This is impossible…” Alina whispered, her voice barely audible as her wide eyes darted between the narrow passageway behind her and the sight sprawling in front of her. “How is this even possible?”

The air in the hidden study felt different… it was crisp, old, and quietly commanding. Polished oak shelves stretched high, heavy with ancient books and documents that seemed to hum with secrets. The golden hue of the wall sconces bathed everything in soft amber light, glinting off the edges of the grand oak desk at the center.

Damien leaned against the doorway beside her, his expression half amused, half smug. “The Evergreen manor was designed by the best there is,” he said, strolling forward with a casual swagger. “Even I was shocked when I tried to sneak out as a teenager… only to find myself right here, in the study. And guess who was seated right there behind that oak desk at the

time?”

Alina turned to him, her brows lifting. “No.” She said, disbelief coloring her tone before a small laugh escaped her lips.

“Oh yes.” Damien ran a hand through his hair, grimacing at the memory. “You don’t want to know how I was punished.”

Alina laughed softly, the sound echoing faintly against the high ceiling. For a moment, the tension in her chest loosened. “No way.” She said, shaking her head, still laughing as she imagined him caught red–handed by their father.

“Oh, shut up,” Damien muttered, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He gave her a light push further into the room. “It’s all yours.”

He gestured around the study, sweeping one hand dramatically before striding to the large swivel chair behind the desk. He sank into it like he owned the place, spinning halfway around before snatching up a Rubik’s cube that sat on the table. He tossed it lightly into the air, catching it each time with the ease of someone who had clearly done it a hundred times before.

Alina gave him a flat, unimpressed look.

“What?” He asked, glancing up from the cube.

“Are you not going to help?” She asked, arching a brow at him, the faintest edge of annoyance in her voice.

“I only said I’d bring you safely to the study,” Damien replied with a shrug, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I never said anything about helping.”

“Whatever.” Alina muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as she turned away from him. Her gaze swept across the towering shelves packed with binders, files, and neatly stacked records. They stretched from one wall to another, each labeled with a neat brass plate: A, B, C… D.

She felt both excitement and dread coil in her chest, it was like she was standing at the edge of a storm she knew she had to walk into. She didn’t even know where to start.

Behind her, Damien leaned back in the chair, spinning it lazily. The faint squeak of the chair echoed in the still room as he watched her silently, amusement dancing in his gaze.

“If I were you,” he finally said, breaking the quiet, “I’d start from shelf D. That’s where old documents are kept.” He pointed casually toward the far–left corner.

Chapter 282

56 Jar nati

Alina paused mid–step and looked over her shoulder. “So much for not helping” She murmured to herself, unable to suppress the small smile tugging at her lips.

“Thanks.” She said aloud, her tone soft but genuine.

“Don’t mention it.” He smiled faintly, spinning the cube again in his hand as if trying to distract himself from showing that he actually cared.

Alina walked toward the shelf he’d pointed at. Her steps were quiet, almost reverent, as though afraid to disturb the air steeped with memories. Her fingers trailed lightly along the polished surface of the nearest cabinet before stopping in front

of the section marked D.

The smell of old paper met her, it was faint, nostalgic, almost comforting. She took a deep breath, the weight of what she was about to do pressing firmly on her shoulders.

She cracked her knuckles softly, eyes narrowing with determination. “Let’s begin,” she murmured to herself.

Behind her, Damien watched her silently. His usual smirk faded, replaced by something softer, something protective. He didn’t say anything, but for the first time since they’d stepped into the room, his hand stilled on the cube.

Alina didn’t notice. She was already lost in the shelves before her, her mind set on uncovering truths buried beneath years of silence.