Rebirth Of The Heiress And The Tycoon's Lover (Alina) novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

AUTHOR’S POV.

Once she was gone, Damien lingered, his expression shifting. He strode over to the same bin and began rifling through it, eyes sharp, movements precise, as if searching for something specific.

His jaw tightened when he came up empty–handed, frustration flashing across his features. With a curt exhale, he walked away.

From a distance, Serafina lowered the camera on her phone, narrowing her eyes. She had been snapping pictures the entire time, hidden just beyond sight. Confusion flickered in her gaze as she watched him dig through the trash.

“What the hell are you looking for?” She muttered under her breath. She approached the bin once Damien was gone, wrinkling her nose. Unlike him, she wasn’t about to get her hands dirty, but she leaned in just far enough to glance inside.

The sight gave her nothing. Still, determination glinted in her eyes as she straightened. “Whatever it is… I’ll find out. I’ll find out exactly what you’re up to.”

Damien pushed open the door of the dimly lit bar, the faint smell of whiskey and old wood wrapping around him. He strode to the counter and leaned a forearm on it.

The bartender looked up. “What’ll it be?”

“A glass of Macallan. Neat.” Damien replied smoothly, his voice steady but his jaw tight.

“Coming right up.”

As the bartender poured, Damien pulled out his phone, his thumb hovering over the screen for a moment before pressing call. He lifted the glass when it was placed before him, but his eyes stayed sharp, locked on the swirling amber liquid as the line connected.

A familiar voice came through the receiver. “Have you been able to get it?”

Damien exhaled slowly, shoulders tense. “No. I was close,so damn close,but I couldn’t get it.”

The voice on the other end hardened. “You have to try harder. If she really is the one, then we must make things right.”

“I know,” Damien muttered, rubbing his temple. “I’m trying. But I can’t push too much. The last thing I want is for her to feel unsafe around me.” His tone softened unexpectedly, a trace of sincerity slipping through. “I don’t want her to look at me like I’m a threat.”

There was a pause before the voice replied, calmer this time. “I understand. Just… take your time. But get it done before the planning phase with Blackwood is finished and you’re pulled back to Ravinne.”

Damien’s grip tightened around his glass, knuckles pale. “Yeah. I’ll work on it. I promise.”

“Good. Keep me updated.” The line went dead.

Damien set the phone down with a muted thud, then downed a long sip of whiskey, his expression unreadable.

Across the room, Serafina sat at the far end of the bar, her martini glass untouched. She’d caught fragments of the conversation but not enough to piece it together. Her eyes narrowed, frustration simmering as she muttered under her breath, “What are you up to, Damien? What are you hiding?”

When Damien finally pushed away from the counter and left, Serafina waited a beat before tossing a bill onto the polished wood. She slipped out of the bar, heels clicking against the pavement.

Outside, the cool night air brushed her cheek as she smirked to herself. “Fine. Keep your little secrets. I’ll figure you out soon enough.” Pulling her phone from her purse, she opened her gallery and tapped the photo she’d snapped earlier of Damien and Alina together at the park. Her lips curved in satisfaction as she forwarded it straight to Lucian.

“There,” she murmured. “Let’s see how much trouble a single picture can stir.”

Back at her store, Alina stood inside her boutique’s workroom, flipping through fabric swatches while Mia sat with the scheduling book open before her.

“Mia,” Alina began, her tone focused yet soft, “Damien Evergreen wants a mix of business suits and some casual wear. Please add him into the schedule.”

Mia’s pen hovered over the page. “Got it. Should I slot him in before or after Mrs. Ellington’s fitting?”

“After,” Alina decided, tapping her chin. “Once you are done adjusting the schedule, you can close for the day.”

Mia scribbled quickly, then looked up with a grin. “All right, I’ll take care of it.”

“Perfect.” Alina gathered her bag and phone, smoothing her dress as she headed for the door. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Downstairs, Jordan was already waiting by the car. He opened the door as she approached. “Ma’am, are we going anywhere else, or straight home?”

Alina slid inside with a tired sigh. “Straight home, Jordan. I’m done for the day.”

“Understood.” He closed the door and circled back to the driver’s seat, pulling into the quiet streets of Elaris.

Meanwhile, back at the Blackwood estate, Lucian had just stepped out of the shower. His damp hair clung to his temples as he buttoned a crisp shirt, steam still curling faintly from the bathroom behind him. He settled into the leather chair in the room, scrolling through emails when his phone buzzed with a new message from

an unknown number.

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