Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 140

Alina sighed, abandoning her iPad. She picked up the device, unlocking it. Her eyes scanned the message from an unknown number and froze.

“It can’t be…” She whispered, her voice cracking.

The phone slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the desk, forgotten.

Louis’s brow furrowed in pretense as he reached out, but Alina sat back, stunned, her heart pounding in her ears, her mouth dry.

The screen glowed with the first image. A photograph she never wanted to see, and a reminder that some decisions have consequences.

Louis freight concern as he watched Alina stare at her phone, her face pale and dazed.

“Alina?” He asked gently, stepping closer. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer, just kept blinking at the screen, her fingers frozen above it.

Pretending he had no clue, Louis picked up the phone from where it had fallen on the desk. His eyes scanned the screen slowly, photos of Lucian at a bar,with a woman leaning too close to comfort and a smile on her face that was far too intimate.

So these were the pictures. His spy had truly outdone herself. Louis hadn’t seen the photos himself until now, and for a brief moment, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He buried it quickly before Alina could notice and walked around the desk toward her.

“Hey,” he said in a soft tone, offering the phone back to her. “These could be photoshopped. Or even Al- generated. You know how things get online.”

But Alina shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “No… that outfit… he wore that the night we fought.” Her voice cracked. “I recognize it.”

Alina knew those pictures were real and wasn’t going to convince herself otherwise.

She clutched the phone tightly again, her other hand resting on her chest like she was trying to hold herself together. Her breath hitched as the weight of the images settled in.

She was trying hard not to cry, she couldn’t, especially not in front of Louis.

“Why would he do this?” she murmured, eyes glassy and distant. “Why would Lucian hurt me like this? I don’t understand, It doesn’t make any sense…”

Louis placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Maybe there’s an explanation,” he said gently. “You should talk to him, Alina.”

11:23 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 140

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She let out a dry, bitter laugh. “Talk to him? How was I supposed to talk to a man who doesn’t even want to see

me?”

Louis blinked.

That was the first time she was admitting her issues with Lucian out loud.

Louis kept his expression neutral but pressed, “What do you mean by that?”

Alina exhaled shakily and slumped slightly in her chair. “Ever since he saw us having lunch, he’s been… cold. Distant. He told me to cut all ties with you. I refused, and he stormed out. That’s the same outfit-” she motioned vaguely toward her phone, “-the one he wore that night, that’s how I know the pictures are real.”

Alina was hurt and didn’t care about putting up an appearance anymore, she just kept on talking.

Louis couldn’t believe how a few pictures taken from specific angles could be so misleading and do this much damage. He was pleased.

As Alina spoke, Louis felt a flicker of satisfaction bloom in his chest. So he was the reason their relationship was cracking. And she had chosen to keep seeing him despite Lucian’s demand.

Does that mean he was getting through to her?

He masked his pleasure quickly, offering only a supportive smile. “You shouldn’t jump to conclusions yet, you know. Maybe if you just try and talk to him, you could clear things up.”

Alina scoffed. “You’re taking his side now?” she asked, blinking up at him with a pained smile. “Lucian doesn’t even like you. He doesn’t want me working with you, he wants you gone, yet here you are… defending him. Giving him the benefit of the doubt.”

Her tone was a mix of disbelief and newfound respect for him.

“You’ve taken this ‘men supporting men‘ thing to a whole new level.” She muttered.

Louis chuckled lightly. “It’s not that. It’s just… if I were in his shoes, and you were my woman, I’d want the same. The benefit of the doubt.”

That made Alina go quiet. Louis let the silence settle before adding gently, “You should go home, Alina. You’re in no state to work. Get some rest, and we’ll pick up from here tomorrow, okay?”

Alina nodded slowly, then stood and gathered her things. “You’re right, I need rest.” She said quietly.

They walked out of the office together, the tension still heavy in the air. At the elevator, they ran into Mia.

“You’re leaving ma’am?” Mia asked, eyes darting to Louis, then back to Alina.

“Yes Mia, I am feeling a little under the weather.”

“Are you okay? Should I come with you? Or call a doctor?” Mia asked worriedly, noticing the exhausted look on her boss‘ face.

11:23 Mon, Sep 22

Chapter 140

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Alina shook her head, offering a faint smile. “I’ll be alright. I just need to rest, that’s all. Nothing a few hours of sleep can’t fix.”

Mia nodded, still concerned. “I’ll handle everything here. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I know,” Alina whispered. “I trust you.”

The elevator doors opened, and Alina and Louis stepped inside.

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