The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 296

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 296: Irene’s Meddling**

In the tangled web of emotions and aspirations, Irene was a master puppeteer, pulling strings with a calculated precision. The expression etched on Judy’s face was precisely what she had envisioned—a blend of confusion and jealousy. Irene’s intent was clear: she wanted Judy to witness the undeniable chemistry between Skyla and her father, to plant the seed of doubt that Skyla was the superior choice. After all, it was common knowledge that Judy paled in comparison to Skyla, and even Skyla herself was aware of the unspoken hierarchy.

Just that very morning, the air had been thick with tension as they navigated a conversation that felt like a tightrope walk between civility and confrontation.

Before the chaos of the day unfolded, Irene had intercepted Skyla, who was on her way to join the others for their morning meeting. The moment their eyes met, Skyla’s frown deepened. The last interaction they’d had was less than pleasant, with Irene tripping over her own words in a desperate attempt to impress the stunning actress. But today was different; today, Irene held a secret that could tip the scales in her favor.

“I’m running late for the meeting,” Skyla stated, raising her hand in a dismissive gesture, eager to brush past Irene. “Can this wait until later?” Her demeanor was that of a star accustomed to the adoration of fans, and she regarded Irene as just another face in the crowd.

“I believe you’ll want to hear what I have to say now,” Irene countered, her arms crossed defiantly over her chest.

Skyla paused, curiosity piqued by the unexpected confidence radiating from the girl before her. She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Okay, you have my attention,” she replied, her tone laced with skepticism. “For now,” she added, making it clear that her patience had limits.

With a triumphant grin, Irene leaned against the wall, her gaze locked onto Skyla’s beauty. She envisioned the perfect scenario: Skyla as her stepmother. Not only was she the right age, but her striking looks were a stark contrast to Judy, the woman Irene had grown to detest. All she wanted was for Judy to fade from their lives. In Irene’s mind, Judy was nothing more than a user, a woman who was leveraging her relationship with Gavin to inch closer to Ethan. Irene was determined to create distance between them, and if that meant orchestrating a new romance for her father, then so be it.

“I overheard your conversation about my father last night,” Irene continued, her tone casual yet pointed. “I know you have feelings for him.”

Skyla’s expression hardened, skepticism clouding her features. “And why should that concern you?” she shot back, crossing her arms defensively.

“Well, for starters, if things go well between you two, you’d become my stepmother. So, who my father chooses to date is, by default, my business,” Irene replied, her voice steady. Even Skyla had to concede that Irene made a valid point, though her own intentions were far less serious. She was merely dipping her toes in the water with Gavin, not envisioning a future as a stepmother.

“Are you saying you have a problem with me pursuing your father?” Skyla probed, her voice dripping with disbelief.

“Not at all,” Irene replied, surprising Skyla with her candor. “Don’t misunderstand me… it might feel a bit strange to call you ‘stepmom,’ but my father’s happiness is paramount. If you bring him joy, then I’m all for it. My brother Matt and I have been hoping for our father to find love again for quite some time.”

“Matt?” Skyla echoed, her interest piqued.

“My brother,” Irene clarified, suddenly aware that not everyone was privy to the complexities of her family dynamics. Though Matt wasn’t her biological brother, he was as close as one could get. For a moment, she realized she had assumed too much; the film crew living in their villa was so engrossed in their work that they hardly noticed Matt’s presence.

“I had no idea Gavin had another child,” Skyla murmured, her voice tinged with annoyance. Yet, this revelation didn’t deter her ambitions. She narrowed her eyes, focusing on Irene. “So, why are you sharing this with me? If you’re not bothered by my interest in him, what’s the point of this conversation?”

“Because I feel it’s my duty to warn you,” Irene said, her tone turning serious. “I suspect my father is involved with someone else. Or at least, he seems quite taken with her…”

Skyla’s mood shifted, a storm brewing behind her eyes. “What makes you think that?” she asked, her voice low and tense.

“Just the way they look at each other, the whispers shared between them. He’s been sneaking out most nights when she’s not around, but he’s always there when she is,” Irene explained, her observational skills sharper than ever. “He tries to hide it, but I see everything.”

“And who is this woman?” Skyla pressed, trying to maintain her composure.

“Her name is Judy,” Irene replied, rolling her eyes as if the name itself was distasteful. “She’s Matt’s tutor.”

Irene felt a pang of discomfort at the bitterness rising within her. This wasn’t the person she wanted to be; she had been raised to uphold integrity. But the jealousy that festered within her regarding Judy’s deceit—pretending to befriend Irene while secretly pursuing Ethan—was too potent to ignore. She felt compelled to retaliate.

If Judy wished to engage in a game of manipulation, then Irene was more than prepared to play, and she would play to win.

“I overheard Skyla talking last night,” Irene said, her voice dripping with feigned concern as she approached Judy, who stood frozen, her gaze fixed on the interaction between Skyla and Gavin. “She’s quite interested in my father. I’m beginning to think of her as a potential stepmother.”

“I see…” Judy replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the very words were a weight too heavy to bear.

The look of devastation on Judy’s face took Irene by surprise. She had assumed Judy was merely using Gavin to inch closer to Ethan, and that she wouldn’t feel this level of pain. But as she observed the myriad of emotions flitting across Judy’s features, a flicker of doubt crept into Irene’s mind. Shaking it off, she convinced herself it was all an act. Judy had been performing since the moment they met, and she was exceptionally good at it. There was no way Judy was genuinely upset about seeing Gavin with someone else; her real distress stemmed from the realization that her own plan to get close to Ethan was unraveling.

Irene was resolute in her goal to expose Judy’s schemes; she wouldn’t allow her to come out on top.

“I’m sorry…” Judy said, stepping away from the parlor, her demeanor shifting. “I think I’m not feeling well. Please apologize to Matt for me and let him know our session will be postponed until tomorrow.”

Irene feigned concern, her expression carefully crafted.

“Of course,” she replied, her voice dripping with insincerity. “Is everything alright? You look a bit pale.”

Judy nodded, her gaze drifting away from the parlor door to meet Irene’s eyes. For a moment, Irene froze, taken aback by the tears threatening to spill from Judy’s eyes. She was trying desperately to mask her pain, but the hurt was unmistakable. It bewildered Irene; why would Judy be so upset over something like this when she had never truly wanted Gavin in the first place?

Her heart raced as she reminded herself that it was Ethan Judy desired, not Gavin.

“Yes,” Judy finally managed, turning her face away to hide her vulnerability. “It was good to see you, Irene.”

And with that, Judy walked away, leaving Irene in a state of confusion, grappling with the unexpected turn of emotions that had just unfolded.