Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 290

Chapter 290

AUTHOR’S POV.

Talia’s voice had barely finished echoing… “I found something“…when both Alina and Damien practically launched forward

at the same time.

Alina’s breath hitched, her fingers tightening reflexively against the back of Talia’s chair. “Who is that?” she demanded, hope and anxiety tangling thick in her voice. “What did you find? Did you find the man? Where is he?”

Damien leaned closer too, eyes wide. “Yeah, who did you find? Did you find him? Did you-?”

Talia threw both hands up dramatically. “One question at a time.” She scolded, but the corners of her mouth pulled upward, relief and adrenaline mixing in her expression.

She dragged a deep breath, turning the laptop slightly toward them but blocking the screen with her hand so they didn’t jump ahead. “And no, I haven’t found the man. But…” She paused deliberately, letting the tension sharpen. “I have found someone that used to work for the Stormvale before the attack. And they are currently in Ravinne at the moment.”

Alina’s heart skipped. “Then what are we waiting for?” she blurted, voice trembling with urgency. She straightened so fast her chair squeaked. “We should go meet up with them, whoever they are.”

She was already half rising from her seat when-

A sharp knock sounded at the door.

All three froze.

Talia’s shoulders slumped. Damien let out a quiet groan. Alina clenched her jaw so tight a muscle ticked beneath her cheek.

“Come in,” Damien called, trying and failing to hide the annoyance under his voice.

A maid stepped in quietly, hands clasped in front of her. “Your mother wants all three of you to come downstairs.” she announced politely.

Damien nodded, resigned. “Tell her We’ll be there in a sec.”

The moment the door closed, Alina dropped her head back with a groan so dramatic it was almost theatrical. “Why now?” she muttered, throwing her hands up. “Why does it have to be now?”

Talia stood, brushing off her jeans as if bracing herself. “Let’s just go see what your mother wants,” she reasoned gently. “Maybe it won’t take long.”

Alina shot her a flat look. “You don’t know my mother, that’s why.”

Talia turned to Damien with raised brows, silently asking if Alina was exaggerating?

Damien lifted his hands helplessly. “You’ll see.” He said, shrugging with a look that said everything and nothing at once.

Together, the three of them made their way downstairs.

The living room was full.

Luna sat on the plush couch near the window, glowing with an excitement that radiated through the space, the kind of excitement that always made Alina wary.

Around her were three elegantly dressed strangers, each with notebooks, folders, and fabric swatches on their laps.

The moment Luna saw them, her face lit up. She clapped her hands excitedly. “Come, come, sit!”

Alina forced a smile while Damien and Talia exchanged quick glances.

Luna gestured with flourish. “I want you to meet everyone. This is Narella, the designer.” A woman with sharp eyeliner and an even sharper jawline gave a polite nod. “This is Liorah, the event planner.” A bubbly woman with messy curls waved enthusiastically. “And this,” Luma said with a proud smile, “is Chef Devan.”

The chef bowed his head respectfully.

Luna clasped her hands. “Now! Talia, sweetheart, tell the designer what kind of dress you want.”

Talia blinked. “Me? Oh. No, ma’am, I brought something to wear already.”

“Nonsense,” Luna said, waving a dismissive hand. “Pick whatever you want. Don’t be polite.”

Before Talia could protest again, Luna gently pushed her toward Narella. “Go on, sit.”

Talia hesitated, but only for a second. Her love for clothes won the battle instantly. “Are you sure?” she asked, eyes already darting curiously toward a sketchpad.

“Knock yourself out.” Luna encouraged with a smile.

That was all the permission Talia needed.

She plopped onto the couch beside the designer with the kind of excitement that made Alina snort. “Okay,” Talia began, leaning forward eagerly. “So I’m thinking something sleek but dramatic. Maybe a structured bodice? Oh… and high slits. I like slits. And shimmer. Can it shimmer? Not too much. Just enough to catch the light when I turn. And the sleeves—”

Narella was already sketching frantically. “Structured bodice… high slit… subtle shimmer… sleeves….what kind? Long? Short? Sheer?”

“Sheer!” Talia exclaimed. “Like illusion sleeves. But make it classy. Femme fatale classy. Not fairy princess classy.”

Narella scribbled faster. “Classy femme fatale, illusion sleeves, structured bodice, high slit, moderate shimmer-”

Alina covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

Damien muttered, “God help the designer.”

Alina nudged him with her elbow, grinning.

Meanwhile, Luna turned to Alina and Damien. “Now, you two, tell the chef what you want on the menu.“.

Alina blinked. “Anything is fine with me.”

Luna scoffed. “Nonsense. This ceremony is for you. You should decide what’s on the menu.”

Alina inhaled slowly, knowing her mother wasn’t going to let this go. “Okay, fine.”

She turned to Chef Devan, who held a notepad poised and ready. “Um… maybe… grilled salmon? With lemon butter?” She began hesitantly.

“Of course,” Chef Devan said, jotting notes. “What else?”

“Maybe… truffle risotto?” Alina added, voice soft.

Luna made a face. “Don’t be shy.”

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Chapter 290

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Alina sighed, giving in. “Okay, Then… roasted lamb with rosemary. And maybe a side of garlic mashed potatoes? And..oh… mini crostinis with caramelized onions and goat cheese.”

Chef Devan smiled warmly. “Excellent choices.”

Damien jumped in, leaning toward the chef with a grin. “And maybe a spicy option? People love spicy food.”

Luna shot him a look. “Damien, darling, it’s Alina’s ceremony,”

He raised both hands in surrender. “Alright, alright.”

While Alina continued listing dishes, Luna was busy with the event planner, pointing at mood boards, flower options, and seating arrangements. The living room slowly filled with overlapping voices “Talia excitedly describing “the exact amount of thigh exposure,” Narella frantically sketching, Chef Devan nodding at Alina’s growing menu list, and Liorah showing Luna pictures of stage layouts.

But Alina’s mind wasn’t here.

Not on this couch.

Not in this brightly lit living room full of fabrics options and talk of crostinis.

Her gaze drifted toward Talia’s abandoned laptop upstairs.

Her heartbeat thumped with restless urgency.

All she could think about was the person Talia had found.

Someone who worked for the Stormvale family before everything burned.

Someone who might have seen something.

Heard something.

Known something.

A whisper of hope tugged painfully inside her chest.

She exhaled slowly, trying to center herself, but her leg bounced anxiously.

Talia caught her eye from across the room, giving her a tiny, reassuring nod while still describing a neckline that was apparently “dangerously low but tasteful.”

Alina forced a small smile back.

Just a little longer.

Just endure this for a little longer.

Then they could go.

Then they could follow the lead.

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