Moonlit Betrayal (Alpha Rick)
Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“Did you really donate Glory Hill, the auction’s most piece, Ms. Lows?”

In the center of the splendid stage, & female host with cropped hair looked at the woman seated across from her with respect

On an elegant white sofa, Lola, in a long black dress, at dignified and graceful, exuding an innate nobility. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face was strikingly beautiful. With a serene smile, she nodded affirmatively.

“Vos!”

Before the host could ask another question, Lola spoke up again.

“I came across this diamond quite by chance as a child, acquiring it from a collector. It’s been tucked away, out of sight for years. I’ve brought it out especially for this charity gala to hopefully replace its rightful owner and to contribute to a good cause at the same time.”

The host nodded, then, as if recalling something, furrowed his brows and asked, “I’ve heard that this diamond is cursed. Ms. Lewis, have you heard about

this?”

The notion of donating a cursed diamond, even for charity, still seemed somewhat intentioned.

Yet, Lola remained composed, with a slight smile shown on her lips, showing no sign of unease. She calmly replied, “Yes, the Diamond of the Glory Hill is indeed cursed. Every past owner has faced misforture, which is precisely why I believe it needs to replace the person it’s meant for.”

The host opened his mouth, seemingly about to ask something, but he managed to stop it.

“This diamond was ultimately purchased by Mr. Sinclair, CEO of the Sinclair Group, for a staggering 400 million dollars, as a gift for his beloved Ms. Moore. Ms. Lewis, do you have anything to say to them?”

Lola smiled and raised her lips. She turned gracefully toward the camera and said coldly

“I wish them nothing but a lifetime of happiness!”

The large screen displayed the woman’s elegant figure, her flawless face wearing a faint smile. She was uttering the most romantic words one could imagine, yet each word seemed to be carved from ice, piercing deeply into Dominick’s heart

Watching the woman on the screen, Dominick cast his eyes down.

Lola used to be dim and unremarkable, beautiful but ordinary. But she was dazzling mysterious, and noble now, shining with a light that no one could

ignore.

The interview continued.

“Is it true that you aren’t a native of Talondria, Ms. Lewis?”

Lola nodded, her voice coming from the large screen.

“Indeed, I’m not from Talondria, but I did spend some time living here.”

“So, what brings you to Talondria now?”

“To settle a

score!”

A subtle smile lingered on Lola’s lips, her seemingly jesting words causing the host to stiffen and then break into a laugh. Yet, Lola’s emphasis on “Settling a score” carried a chilling undertone, her gaze piercing through the camera, radiating a fierce, almost predatory intensity.

Anna glanced at Dominick, his expression pullen and brooding.

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Chapter 17

Even after two years, the vividly remembered the USB drive delivered to the CEO’s office. The woman at the cliff’s edge was bloodied and battered, her

yes shitting from hope to despair. Filled with hatred, she had finally leaped from the cliff.

Two years later, on

in the same screen,

this CEO’s wife, whom no one knew, announced to everyone in the same manner that she had returned!

Returned to settle scores!

“So, the Diamond of the Glory Hill belonged to Mrs. Sinclair?”

Henry cautiously observed Dominick

No wonder Lola bid on almost everything at the auction, yet showed little interest in this final piece

So, the diamond that everyone hesitated to bid on was actually Lola’s all along. Her bidding war with Jessica wasn’t about winning the auction but simply keeping the item away from her. Since Lola had mentioned she acquired this diamond when she was young, Henry wondered if Lola had recovered her memories.

“Look into it” Dominick uttered the command with a chilling indifference.

Henry had already figured it out, and so had Dominick

The identity of someone who could casually spend hundreds of millions on a diamond was undoubtedly extraordinary. This person was either Lola ora man close to her who had managed to change the direction of all Talondria’s media overnight, a feat even Dominick found challenging.

Stepping out of the TV station, Lola looked up at the setting sun.

The warm light felt unexpectedly cold against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She swayed unsteadily and fell sideways. However, instead of hitting the ground, she found herself caught in a comforting embrace infused with a subtle, pleasing floral fragrance

Lola opened her eyes and saw a person with a pair of deep blue eyes.

“Tired?” Ethan’s voice was soft, laced with concern as he held the woman in his arms.

Lola didn’t respond. She simply met his gaze for a fleeting moment before closing her eyes again, exhausted

Ethan, still clad in his white suit, locked at the woman in his embrace and

(the fiery sunset clouds in the distance, his brow slightly furrowed.

As the clouds gradually faded, the evening brought a sudden oppressive darkness over the once quiet sky.

Before reaching the mansion, Lola woke up. She glanced at e night outside and said, sounded weak.

“then, I’d like to take a walk”

“way Ethan responded and signaled the driver to stop.

it was refreshingly cool at night in Talondria. Yet, Lola felt a chill as if she was plunged into an icy pond, completely devoid of warmth. Ethan raped his suit jacket over her, and, as if struck by a sudden thought, he turned to his subordinates, Lucas Balmer and the others nearby.

“You guys go back first.”

They hesitated at first. However, since they soon realized this wasn’t Lion City, they nodded and walked away.

The lights stretched their shadows long. Ethan crouched in front of Lo

of Lola, who smiled and climbed onto his back.

“Ethan’s been so long since you carried me

so soft that one should listen to it closely, carrying a trace of emotion and contemplation

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Chapter 17

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Ethan walked steadily yet heavily. Hearing her, he slightly lowered his eyes, a flicker of guilt passing through them. He pressed his lips and, after a long pause, finally spoke.

“Layla, I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I should have recognized you!”

Lola smiled, her eyes dimming slightly and her face pressed against Ethan’s back. After while, she chuckled, “He didn’t recognize me either, did

he?”

a

Ethan sighed softly as if suddenly remembering something. He hesitated before speaking.

“I heard news from there. They ended their marriage yesterday.”

Eleven years passed from the time she was brought f twenty–three.

from Aeritha to Talondria at the age of twelve to the time she returned to Aeritha at the age of