Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 171 Linda, however, remained completely unfazed.

A faint smile lingered on her lips as she elegantly lifted her glass, her posture relaxed, as if the conversation was of no concern to her. She didn't even glance at Flora, nor did she comment on Cole's reaction.

That made Flora even more uneasy.

She wanted answers. She needed to know what was going on. But she also knew that pressing the matter now, in front of everyone, would only make things worse.

The meal continued, but the atmosphere had shifted.

Cole's disinterest in Flora was evident in the way he spoke to her....short, indifferent, and dismissive.

When she tried to engage him in conversation, he barely looked at her.

Flora: "Cole, did you see the latest Fashion campaign? I heard there is new talent hiring going on every where " Cole: "Mm. That so?"* He didn't even glance up from his plate.

Later, when Flora attempted to compliment him, hoping to draw his attention: Flora: "Your performance at the last showcase was incredible. Everyone was talking about it." Cole: "If you say so."* His tone was flat, as if the topic barely interested him.

Each response chipped away at her confidence, making it painfully obvious....Cole simply didn't care. Charles, on the other hand, seemed pleased with himself, as if he had confirmed something he had been suspecting. And Linda....Linda was simply watching.

Then, halfway through the meal, as if remembering something, Charles suddenly turned to Linda with a thoughtful expression. "By the way," he said, setting his glass down. "STARLINE Studios is expanding. Any plans to try out for STARLINE Studios again?" Linda finally looked up.

Her expression didn't change, but there was something sharp in her gaze, something calculating. She placed her glass down carefully, tapping a single finger against the rim.

"STARLINE Studios, huh?" she murmured.

"Yeah I heard about it.. " Charles chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm just saying, it'd be interesting to see if you could secure a spot this time. You know how competitive it is." "Oh, I know." Linda's voice was smooth, almost amused. "But competition isn't really a problem for me, is it?" Although Linda had been abroad the other day, she was already well aware of STARLINE Studio's expansion. STARLINE Studio's technology was cutting-edge, leagues ahead of most competitors.

Entering the company would be a significant boost to her career, opening doors to new opportunities, networking with influential figures, and positioning herself at the forefront of innovation.

However, there was one problem....Sarah.

If Sarah got in her way, things wouldn't go smoothly.

Linda's fingers traced the rim of her wine glass, her expression calm, but a sharp glint flickered in her eyes. She had worked too hard to let someone like Sarah jam her resume.

Across from her, Charles observed her reaction with a knowing smile.

"I ran into a friend yesterday," he said, his tone casual, yet laced with amusement. "He toldthat in addition to recruiting technicianLeo is also desperately trying to reach out to smanagement-level talents.

He paused, watching Linda's expression carefully. "As far as STARLINE Studio's recruitment is concerned, Leo didn't reserve any management positions for her." The "her" In question was, of course, Sarah.

A brief silence followed.

Linda lifted her gaze slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Is that so?" she murmured.

Her heartbeat remained steady, but inwardly, her thoughts shifted rapidly. This was unexpected.

With STARLINE Stuexpanding, it would have been the perfect tto arrange a management role for Sarah. Given her history of being supported, such a move would have been almost inevitable. Yet, O Leo.....who was known for being meticulous....had left no place for her.

That could only mean one thing.

Something had shifted between Leo and Sarah.

Linda's mind raced through possibilities. Had they fallen out? Had Leo realized that backing Sarah was not as beneficial as it once seemed? Whatever the reason, it was an opportunity for her.

If Leo wasn't personally securing a position for Sarah, then Linda had a real chance of slipping into the company before the girl.could solidify her influence Charles watched her in amusement, as if reading her thoughts. "Interesting, isn't it?" he remarked lazily, swirling his drink. "It seems Leo isn't as blind as sassumed. Maybe he finally realized that letting Sarah do whatever she wants isn't the best strategy."

Linda chuckled lightly, her fingers still gently tapping against her glass Or maybe there's been a problem between them," she mused. Charles raised an eyebrow. "A lover's quarrel?" Linda shrugged. "Or just a shift in priorities." Her words were light, almost indifferent, but inside, she was already plotting her next move.

Opportunities like this didn't coften.

She set her glass down and said smoothly, "I see. I'll find stIl later to put in my resand try it En out." She didn't sound overly eager, nor did she seem desperate. Instead, she carried the air of someone who knew her own worth....someone who didn't need luck, only the right timing.

Cole, who had remained silent throughout their conversation, listened without the slightest fluctuation in his expression. Hdidn't react to their subtle jabs at Sarah, nor did he seem interested in Linda's ambitions.

He was aware of one thing, though.

Sarah was Colton's student.

Her position at STARLINE Studios wasn't so easily shaken.

mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1