Chapter 119 Dianaâs pov There was a moment when I naively thought Nathan still had some feelings for me. Why else would he stop Avia? But soon, reality slapped me hard.
Avia looked at Nathan with resentment and innocence, tears streaming down her face.
âNathan, do you still love Diana? Even after she repeatedly embarrassed me?â she asked.
âNo,â Nathan answered without hesitation.
âThen why stop me?â Avia questioned.
Nathan held Aviaâs hand, speaking gently, âI just donât want you to dirty your hands; sheâs not worth it.â
Dirty...
Not worth it...
I chewed on those words, a needleâlike pain spreading in my heart. But more than that, it felt absurd. Just like Nathan regretted being attracted to âsomeone like me,â I regretted falling in love with him.
After Nathanâs explanation, Aviaâs sadness vanished instantly. She glanced at me, a hint of triumph barely concealed.
She nestled in Nathanâs arms, her voice sweet. âI knew it; you only have me in your heart, Nathan. Iâm so happy.â
Nathan remained silent, gently patting Aviaâs back, appearing very tender.
âOh, by the way,â Avia lifted her head from Nathanâs embrace, âIâve rested enough; we can continue our engagement ceremony now.â
âSure,â Nathan focused on Avia, leading her towards the staircase.
As Avia passed by me, she no longer restrained herself, looking at me with disdain, reveling in her triumph. Through silent gestures, she told me, âDiana, you lost.â
Aviaâs display meant nothing to me, yet, for some reason, I still felt profoundly upset. I even began to despise myself.
How could I let myself become so pitiful? Like a wretched clown...
Nathan and Aviaâs footsteps gradually faded behind me. Suddenly, they halted.
I heard Nathanâs displeased voice, âWhat are you doing here?â
Turning around, I saw Moss standing opposite Nathan.
Today, Moss looked exceptionally different. He wore a more expensive pair of narrowâframed glasses with a chain, his hair slicked back, leaving only a few strands to cover half of his eyebrow. Dressed in a wellâtailored black tailcoat, he looked remarkably handsome and suaye, a far cry from the man in the lab coat buried in work.
I was baffled, forgetting most of my sorrow. Why did he dress up so handsomely?
Moss smiled at me, then turned to Nathan, answering politely, âI came to find my With that, he walked straight towards me, crossing Nathanâs path.
âSorry for being late, Diana,â Moss whispered.
I shook my head, âItâs okay.â
âShall we go downstairs?â Moss offered his arm.
I took it, and together we headed towards the staircase. Nathan, seemingly lost in thought, stared intently at Moss and me, complex emotions churning within him. I didnât pay much attention, turning my gaze away.
I had already been foolish and miserable enough moments ago. I couldnât allow myself to make the same lowâlevel mistake again.
At the staircase, Moss raised an eyebrow, glancing at Nathan. âApologies, Alpha Nathan. If youâre not planning to go down now, could you let my partner and me go first?â
Though my eyes didnât land on Nathan, I still felt a chill. Nathan snorted coldly and went down with Avia.
Moss raised an eyebrow, looking at Nathanâs back, murmuring to himself, âIs he jealous?â
âWho?â I was puzzled.
âAlpha Nathan,â Moss answered seriously.
I waved it off, âImpossible. You didnât compete with him for Avia.â
âBut...â Moss looked at me with a lowered gaze, âyouâre with me now.â
I hesitated, understanding Mossâs meaning belatedly. I gave a cold smile.
âThatâs even more impossible. Nathan hates me enough; how could he be jealous for me?â
Moss shook his head, âYou donât understand men.
âDo you?â I raised an eyebrow, looking at him. âI thought you only understood medical symbols.â
Moss smiled without saying a word.
Descending from the second floor, Moss and I reâentered the hall. Nathan and Avia were continuing the engagement ceremony.
Under the hostâs guidance, they kissed and embraced amidst the audienceâs gaze.
âIf you donât want to watch, I can take you away,â Moss whispered in my ear, his warm breath tickling.
I instinctively turned, about to refuse, but our lips accidentally met.
We both froze, not expecting such an unexpected accident.
And at that moment, on the stage, Avia let out a scream.
âAh-â
I quickly pulled away from Moss, turning to see Avia, who had been in Nathanâs arms, now sitting awkwardly on the floor.
âWhat happened?â
People around us started whispering.
âDid I see it wrong? Just now, it seemed like Alpha Nathan urgently pulled Avia away, his eyes seemed like they were about to spew fire.â
âI think I saw it too... Did Alpha Nathan see something?â
âI donât know...â
Feeling disoriented, I averted my gaze. Unexpectedly, I locked eyes with Nathan.
He stared at me unblinkingly, his hand clenched into a fist by his side, a purplish hue appearing on his face, as if he were lacking oxygen.
âDid I upset him again?â I murmured.
âI told you heâs jealous,â Mossâs voice sounded beside me.
âDonât talk nonsense; I told you itâs impossible.â I warned Moss with a stern look.
Moss rolled his eyes and remained silent.
On the other side, Avia, with the hostâs assistance, had stood up again. Through the microphone, she explained, âThe heels of my highâheeled shoes are too high, and I couldnât stand steady.â
âSo thatâs it,â the host quickly intervened, moving on to the next segment.
People around us began murmuring again.
âToo high heels? I think itâs just an excuse! Just now, it was obvious that Alpha Nathan pulled Avia away urgently.â
âI saw that too. I guess Alpha Nathan is mad at Avia! If not for her creating a fake treasure like the âHeart of the Ocean,â Alpha Nathan wouldnât have to spend a trillion on it. Anyway, if I were him, Iâd be annoyed too.â
âI knew Avia was this kind of person. Itâs better to let Diana become our Luna. Now sheâs Alpha Marcâs sister and the actual controlling shareholder of the âHeart of the Oceanâ!â
âLet it go... The more we say, the more regretful it becomes!â
Long ago, I fantasized about how those who had bullied and belittled me in Dark Moon Pack would react when they found out about my true identity. They would surely be shocked, regretful, and astonished. However, now that everything had become a reality, I didnât feel particularly happy. Instead, I found it ironic.
Indeed, most people tend to bow to the powerful and step on the weak. If I truly had nothing, this engagement banquet would undoubtedly be a unilateral insult to me.
âDiana.â
Lost in thought, Moss nudged me with his elbow, gesturing for me to look to the left.
William was approaching with a glass of champagne.
I turned around, wanting to leave, but William stopped me.
I looked at William coldly. âAre you trying to threaten the wILL William chuckled, walking up to me.
âYouâre thinking too much. Youâre my treasure; why would I threaten you?â William raised an eyebrow, then asked, âHow do you feel about this engagement ceremony?â
I pursed my lips, not answering.
William took it upon himself to answer his own question.
âI think itâs just average. When itâs your engagement ceremony, I promise Iâll make it a hundred times, a thousand times grander!â
I responded with an impatient frown.
âWhat do you want to say?â I asked.
âNothing.â William continued to smile amicably, as if he had never torn off that layer of false skin in front of me. âI just want to tell my darling not to oppose me.â
I scoffed at that.
William didnât mind my indifferent attitude. He patted my shoulder and leaned in. âDiana, come back to me and continue to help me. I promise Iâll pamper you to be the happiest girl in the world. Whatever you want, Iâll give it to you!â
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice.
âLook at Avia. Designed and framed you several times. Baby, as long as you behave, I have a hundred ways to make her disappear from your world, never to dirty your eyes again.â.