Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 284

Chapter 284

AUTHOR’S POV.

A soft knock echoed through the quiet of the room.

“Lady Alina?” a maid’s voice called gently from behind the door. “Breakfast is ready, ma’am.”

Alina stirred, her lashes fluttering as morning light spilled through the curtains. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. “Huh?” She asked, still half asleep.

“I said breakfast is ready.” The maid repeated.

“Oh okay, I’ll be down soon.” She murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.

“Yes, ma’am.” The footsteps faded down the hall.

For a moment, Alina just sat there, staring at the faint lines of sunlight tracing across the floorboards. Her body felt rested, but her mind hadn’t stopped turning all night. She glanced at the clock, it was barely past eight. The memory of last night flickered in her mind like a scene she couldn’t let go of… the hidden passageway, the study, the old scent of parchment and secrets, secrets waiting to be uncovered.

She exhaled slowly, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Tonight,” she whispered under her breath. “I’ll try again.”

After dressing in a simple cream blouse and a soft wool skirt, she made her way downstairs. The soft clinking of cutlery met her as she stepped into the dining room. It was warm, bright, and filled with the smell of fresh toast and brewed coffee.

Luna was already seated, graceful as always, pouring tea into her porcelain cup.

Darius sat at the head of the table, his posture straight, newspaper neatly folded beside his plate.

Damien, half–awake, was hunched slightly over his food, lazily stirring his eggs.

Alina slipped into her seat beside him.

“Morning,” she said, offering a quick smile.

He raised an eyebrow at her entrance, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips.

“Barely,” he muttered, voice low enough that only she could hear. “You look like you

didn’t sleep.”

“Neither did you,” she whispered back, leaning closer. “So, what’s the plan?”

She kept her voice low, scanning the room to make sure no one else was listening.

As their father and Luna quietly conversed at the head of the table, Damien leaned closer, his brow furrowed as he lowered his fork.

“What do you mean, what’s the plan?“He asked, voice barely audible above the clinking of utensils.

Alina tilted her head, her lips twitching into a small, secretive smile.

“I mean,” her voice dropped to an even softer whisper, “—we are going back to the study tonight.I need to find out more.”

Damien nearly choked on his coffee. “Are you crazy?” he hissed, trying to keep his voice down. “After last night?We almost got caught last night!”

“But we didn’t, that’s all that matters,” Alina said, eyes gleaming with quiet defiance. “And that means we can do it again…only better.”

Damien shot her a look of disbelief. “You have a death wish Alina.” He shook his head, half–exasperated, half- amused.” Father isn’t someone you poke at, he hates people snooping through his things. And I mean absolutely hates it.”

Alina ignored the latter part of his speech and gave a small shrug, cutting into her toast. “Death wish? I we have a death wish because you’re coming along.”

“What?” he whispered harshly, setting down his cup. “Why do I have to tag along this time?” He asked feigning annoyance.

guess

Alina’s lips curved slightly, mischief flickering in her eyes. “Because you wanted to get involved,” She replied flatly. “Well now you are, and there’s no going back.”

Damien opened his mouth to protest further, but a clearing of the throat at the head of the table stopped him. Darius’s sharp gaze met theirs. “Good morning,” he said, the words calm, but the subtle edge in his voice made both of them straighten immediately. “Did you two sleep well?”

They exchanged a quick glance, then blurted out a quick, synchronized, “Yes, Father.”

Darius continued, leaning back slightly in his chair, his piercing eyes scanning them over and lingering a moment too long. “Got enough rest, I hope?”

“Yes.” They said again in perfect unison, trying to sound casual.

Darius cocked his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Are you certain?” He pressed, tone deceptively mild.

“Yes,” they said, slower this time, Alina even forced a bright smile, but their repetition doing nothing to mask their rising anxiety.

Luna, sitting beside him, frowned slightly. Her brow creased, confused at the unusually interrogative tone of her husband. She could also feel the tension that hung sudder’y in the air.

“Darius, why are you questioning them like that? And why wouldn’t they have a good night’s rest?” She asked softly.

He didn’t take his eyes off the two. “Because,” he said calmly, “considering they were snooping around late last night, I’d imagine they’d need a little more sleep this morning.”

The words landed like a slap of cold air.

Alina’s fork froze midair. Damien’s mouth fell open.

He saw them.

He had seen them the night before, and had pretended not to.

“1-” Damien started, but Darius lifted a hand, halting him.

“As much as I understand the desire to bond with your sister,” Darius began, his tone calm but edged with disappointment, “you’re not children anymore. You can’t be sneaking into places that are off–limits.” His gaze sharpened as it settled on Damien. “And you, especially, should know better.”

The silence that followed was thick.

Alina felt the heat of his words wash over her, though he hadn’t addressed her directly. She wanted to speak up, to argue, but the weight of his gaze kept her silent for a moment.

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