Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

AUTHOR’S POV.

53

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Inside, Louis’s voice lowered again, calm but laced with determination. “Trust me. She’ll never suspect a thing.”

Alina’s steps faltered as she turned from the door, every instinct urging her to flee before she had to face Louis, not after what she had just overheard. But before she could move, her phone blared loudly in her bag.

Her breath hitched.

The sound cut through the silence of the front porch, and she knew, Louis had heard it too. His voice inside had gone utterly still.

Her heart pounded against her ribs, each beat sharp and heavy, like it might betray her. Running was no longer an option. She had to face him.

With trembling fingers, she fumbled out her phone.

Mia.

Relief and dread collided. Quickly, she tapped out an automated text.

‘Busy, will call later.’

Then, raising the phone to her ear, she forced a calm tone and began a performance she prayed would be convincing.

“Yes, Mia… cancel the rest of my schedule,” she said, her voice smooth though her throat was tight. “I’m heading to Louis‘ place now. I want to check in on him personally.”

She pretended to be on a call with Mia.

Her back was to the door, every nerve straining, aware he was listening. Behind her, the air shifted. The door creaked open.

Alina turned slowly, shooting him one of her practiced smile, still holding the phone as if mid–conversation.

Louis stood in the doorway, his sharp gaze fixed on her.

Dropping the call, she slipped her phone back into her bag and said lightly, “Hi, glad to see you

alive.”

“I knew I heard voices.” Louis said, studying her closely.

“That was Mia,” Alina replied easily, masking her unease with a small shrug. “She was going over decisions for the launch. It’s happening in a few days, you know.” Alina reminded him.

Her tone was casual, but her shoulders were taut, her whole body alert.

18:03 Wed, Sep 24

Chapter 166

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“Are you going to let me in or…?” She left her question hanging.

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Louis tilted his head, still watching her as if trying to read between the lines of her expression. Then he stepped aside, swinging the door open wider. “Sure, please do come in.”

Crossing the threshold, Alina felt her chest tighten. The moment the door shut behind her, the walls seemed

to close in.

The man before her felt like a stranger, familiar face, unfamiliar presence. She couldn’t recognize the Louis she once trusted.

“This is… a surprise,” Louis said after a beat, his tone carrying a thread of suspicion. “I wasn’t expecting you, I didn’t even know you were back.”

‘Liar.’ Alina wanted to scream but held herself back. Of course he knew she was back, Jessica has been keeping him up to speed.

She offered a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes instead. “Yeah, sorry for showing up out of the blue, I heard you weren’t feeling well. When you didn’t pick up, I worried. So I came to check on you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.” He nodded, though his eyes lingered on her, cautious, measuring.

In truth, Louis has not been sick, he didn’t see the need to go to Alinova often if Alina was not there but he had to give a reason so he simply told Mia he was sick.

“You have a beautiful place.” Alina added, glancing briefly at the elegant details of his home, her voice deliberately light.

“Thank you.” Louis said simply.“Should I get you something to drink?Water? Juice? Wine?” He offered.

Alina knew she couldn’t drink anything in his place, not with what she knew now.

She shook her head quickly. “No, thank you. I had lunch before coming.”

But Louis wasn’t convinced. His gaze sharpened, noticing the stiffness in her posture, the guarded set of her jaw.

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