Chapter 9: Confrontation at Lunar Tower
Chapter 9: Confrontation at Lunar Tower
(Olivia’s POV)
I stopped walking and turned around slowly. My emerald eyes met Ethan’s amber ones as I
faced him directly.
“Ethan Stone, since Lily was born, you haven’t taken care of her for a single day. How dare you accuse me here?” My voice remained steady despite the pain that flared in my chest at the mention of my deceased daughter.
Ethan’s jaw tightened visibly. His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, towering over me with
his imposing presence.
“I provided everything for both of you,” he growled, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “A
home, money, security-”
“Everything except your time and love,” I cut in, refusing to be intimidated. “The only things Lily
ever wanted from you.”
My words hung in the air between us like a challenge. I could see the muscle in his jaw twitch
with anger.
Emma tugged at Victoria’s hand, her small face scrunched up in indignation. Her voice was
shrill and demanding.
“Daddy is very busy! He’s the Alpha King!” she declared with the self–importance only a child.
could muster.
Victoria nodded, placing a protective hand on Emma’s shoulder. Her perfectly manicured nails
gleamed under the light.
“Emma’s right, Olivia. You should be more understanding of Ethan’s position,” she said, her
voice dripping with false kindness.
She stepped forward, her voice softening with practiced sympathy. “It’s not entirely Ethan’s fault that Lily didn’t have a close relationship with her father. Perhaps if you had tried harder
to bring them together instead of keeping her to yourself…”
My blood boiled at her audacity. The nerve of this woman to lecture me about my own daughter!
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Chapter 9 Confrontation at L
“This doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it,” I snapped, my patience finally breaking.
Victoria immediately adopted a hurt expression. Her blue eyes filled with tears as she turned to Ethan, pressing herself against his side like a wounded animal seeking protection.
“I was only trying to help,” she whispered, loud enough for me to hear.
It was a performance worthy of an award. I had seen this act countless times before.
Ethan’s expression darkened further. His arm wrapped protectively around Victoria’s shoulders, pulling her closer.
“You need to calm down,” he warned me, his voice cold.
I looked at their performance with disgust. The way Victoria manipulated him was so obvious to everyone except Ethan himself.
“Victoria Frost, why are you so good at pretending?” The words escaped my lips before I could
stop them.
The word “pretending” seemed to trigger something in Ethan. His amber eyes glowed with fury, the wolf within him rising to the surface.
“Watch your mouth,” he warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “You don’t get to
speak to her that way.”
Victoria quickly placed a gentle hand on his chest, playing the peacemaker. Her eyes were
wide with apparent concern.
“Please don’t be angry with her for my sake, Ethan. I’m fine, really,” she said softly.
What a perfect little act they had rehearsed. I couldn’t stomach their charade any longer.
Without another word, I turned and walked toward the entrance of Lunar Tower. My hand clutched my portfolio tighter, focusing on why I was really here.
This competition was for Lily. Not for my wounded pride or Ethan’s misplaced anger.
The glass doors slid open silently as I approached. Inside, the modern lobby bustled with activity as competition participants and judges moved purposefully through the space.
I checked my watch. Fifteen minutes before the competition began.
My eyes felt heavy from lack of sleep. I’d spent countless nights perfecting my Moonstone Crystal Design, pouring all my knowledge and grief into it.
The Moonlight Refreshment Room was located on the same floor as the competition hall. I
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Chapter 9 Confrontation at L
headed there, hoping a cup of herbal tea would help sharpen my focus.
The room was empty when I entered. Sleek countertops lined one wall with an array of teas specially selected to enhance creativity.
I selected a blend of moonlight herb and lavender, known for improving mental clarity. As the water heated, I heard the door open behind me.
Victoria entered alone, her blue eyes immediately finding mine. She smiled sweetly as she approached, her heels clicking on the polished floor.
“Preparing for the competition?” she asked, her voice light and conversational.
I ignored her, focusing on preparing my tea. The water began to boil in the dispenser.
Victoria moved to stand beside me at the counter. Her perfume was overpowering in the small
space.
“I didn’t know you were entering the competition too. It’ll be just like our university days, won’t it? Though I always did better in the practical demonstrations.”
I remained silent, reaching for my cup. From the corner of my eye, I saw Victoria’s hand move
toward the hot water dispenser.
In that split second, I realized her intention. She was going to scald my hand – to ruin my
ability to compete.
My reflexes saved me. I jerked my hand back just as Victoria activated the dispenser.
Hot water gushed out, narrowly missing my fingers. Only a few drops splashed onto my skin,
causing a minor sting.
Victoria, caught off balance by my sudden movement, stumbled forward. Her own hand
slipped directly under the stream of boiling water.
Her scream echoed through the small room, piercing and genuine. Victoria clutched her
scalded hand to her chest, her face contorted in real pain this time.
“Help! Someone help me!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
The door burst open as Emma ran in, proving she had been waiting outside all along. Her eyes widened with theatrical horror.
“Mommy!” she screamed, running to Victoria’s side with her arms outstretched.
Victoria stumbled to the sink, thrusting her reddening hand under cold water. Her sobs filled
the room as Emma turned and ran back out.
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Chapter 9 Confrontation at L
“Daddy! Daddy!” I heard her cry in the hallway, her voice carrying perfectly. “Olivia hurt
Mommy! She burned Mommy’s hand with hot water!”
The girl was just as manipulative as her mother. The apple truly didn’t fall far from the tree.
Moments later, Ethan rushed in like an avenging angel. His eyes immediately found Victoria at the sink, her face pale with pain.
“Victoria,” he said, his voice gentle as he moved to her side. “Let me see.”
The tenderness in his voice was like a knife to my heart. I had never heard him speak to me that way, even during my pregnancy or after Lily’s birth.
Victoria winced dramatically as she showed him her hand. The skin was already turning an angry red.
“It hurts,” she whimpered, leaning against him. “It hurts so much, Ethan.”
Ethan held her carefully, keeping her injured hand under the cold water. His protective stance.
was unmistakable – an Alpha shielding his chosen mate.
I moved toward the door, my face expressionless. This wasn’t my problem, and I had a
competition to focus on.
“Olivia,” Ethan’s voice stopped me. “Where do you think you’re going?”
I turned slowly to face him. His amber eyes were cold with fury, the warmth he’d shown
Victoria completely absent.
“You deliberately scalded Victoria,” he accused, his voice low and threatening. “And now you’re
walking away without even apologizing?”
I raised an eyebrow, refusing to be intimidated. “I didn’t scald her.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists at his sides.
“Her hands are crucial for the competition, Olivia. How could you be so cruel?” he demanded.
His amber eyes bore into mine, searching for any sign of guilt. I met his gaze steadily,
unwavering.
“Where’s your evidence that I scalded her?” I asked calmly.
Emma stepped forward, clinging to Ethan’s leg. Her small face was twisted with righteous indignation that looked rehearsed.
“I saw you!” she declared, pointing an accusing finger at me. “You pushed Mommy’s hand
* Chapter 9. Confrontation at L…
under the hot water! I saw everything!”
Ethan looked down at Emma, then back at me. His expression hardened with absolute
certainty.
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“Emma’s words are the evidence! She is only five years old, still a child, how could she lie?!”
I stared at the child, noting the calculated gleam in her eyes that belied her innocent appearance. Like mother, like daughter.
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