"Alpha’s Unwanted Luna: The Awakening"

Chapter Twenty-One

Ava had no idea what that last part meant, but she waved a dismissive hand. “Look, I don’t know what your son told you, but I have zero interest in him.”

Lillian’s expression didn’t change. “You’re lying.”

Ava laughed again. “Lady, I’m not dating him. I don’t even want to date him. In fact, if you’d spent five minutes observing, you’d know Damien barely tolerates me.”

Lillian studied her closely, as if trying to detect deception.

Finally, she pushed the envelope closer. “Take it anyway. Think of it as… a reward for staying in your place.”

Ava exhaled sharply, reaching for the envelope. She opened it, her gaze dropping to the ridiculous amount of money inside.

Then, without hesitation, she took the stack of cash… and slid it right back across the table.

Lillian’s eyes narrowed.

“I don’t need your money,” Ava said coolly. “And next time? Save yourself the trouble and ask Damien to stay away from me instead.”

With that, she stood up and walked out, leaving Lillian stunned and furious.

Ava stormed into Vivian’s office at Sinclair Enterprises, tossing her bag onto the nearest chair. Vivian, who had been reviewing reports, barely had time to look up before Ava collapsed into the seat across from her desk.

Vivian raised an eyebrow. "You look like you want to murder someone. Should I be concerned?"

Ava scoffed, rubbing her temples. "Damien’s mother tried to pay me off today."

Vivian froze. "Excuse me?"

Ava leaned forward. "She invited me to lunch, slid an envelope full of money across the table, and basically told me to take it and disappear from her son’s life." She let out a dry laugh. "As if I was even in his life to begin with!"

Vivian set her pen down, her expression darkening. "And what did you say?"

Ava smirked. "I told her I wasn’t dating her son and that she should save herself the trouble by telling Damien to stay away from me instead."

Vivian let out a soft chuckle. "I’m almost proud."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Vivian, she basically called me a nobody. Like, I’m some desperate gold digger chasing after her precious son."

Vivian’s gaze sharpened. "Do you think she’ll try something else?"

Ava shrugged. "I don’t know. I don’t even care. But if she does, I swear, I will not be polite next time."

Vivian nodded, leaning back in her chair. "Do you think Damien knows about this?"

Ava exhaled. "Honestly? I don’t care. He probably does. And if he doesn’t, I doubt he’d do anything about it. He doesn’t even like me, Viv."

Vivian studied her for a moment before shaking her head. "I don’t know about that."

Ava frowned. "What do you mean?"

Vivian’s lips twitched. "If Damien didn’t care, his mother wouldn’t be so desperate to remove you from the picture."

Ava groaned. "No. Don’t start. This is not one of those romance novels where the rich guy secretly pines for the girl."

Vivian smirked. "If you say so."

Ava scowled. "I do say so!"

Vivian chuckled, but her expression turned serious. "Just be careful, Ava. If Lillian Blackwood is willing to go this far, she won’t stop here."

Ava nodded. "Oh, trust me. Next time? I’ll be ready.”

Sinclair Enterprises – Boardroom

Ava adjusted her blazer, her face carefully composed as she sat at the conference table. Across from her, Damien lounged in his seat, his sharp gaze trained on her like he was trying to read her mind.

The tension in the room was thick. It wasn’t the first time she had been in a meeting with him, but after his mother’s stunt, Ava had made a decision—she was going to keep things strictly professional and avoid any unnecessary interaction.

"Shall we begin?" Ava said, her tone cool and professional.

Damien leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "You seem different today, Sinclair."

She smiled politely, flipping open her file. "Let’s focus on the contract, Mr. Blackwood."

His eyes narrowed slightly at her formal tone. "Of course."

Marcus, who was seated beside Damien, glanced between the two before clearing his throat and shifting his focus back to the proposal. The deal on the table was a strategic collaboration between Sinclair Enterprises and Blackwood Corporation—one that required them to work closely for the next few months.

Ava laid out her terms, her voice steady and unwavering. She was known for being sharp in negotiations, and today was no different.

"We propose a 60-40 revenue split, considering Sinclair Enterprises will handle the bulk of the logistics and marketing. Additionally, we request exclusive distribution rights within the region for the first year."

Damien smirked. "Bold."

Ava shrugged. "Just practical."

He tapped his fingers on the table, studying her. "You’re distancing yourself from me."

She didn’t even blink. "This is business. Nothing personal."

"Is that so?" His voice dropped slightly, as if daring her to look him in the eye.

She finally did. "Yes."

A flicker of something dark passed through his expression before he masked it. "Fine. But let’s talk numbers."

The negotiation lasted for over an hour. Damien pushed back on certain points, but Ava countered without hesitation. Marcus was impressed—he had seen Damien intimidate countless people in the boardroom, but Ava didn’t even flinch.

When the deal was finally settled, Damien closed the folder and looked at her. "Good work, Sinclair."

Ava simply nodded. "Pleasure doing business, Mr. Blackwood."

She stood up to leave, but as she reached the door, his voice stopped her.

"Did my mother say something to you?"

Her fingers clenched around the handle for a brief moment before she forced herself to relax. Slowly, she turned around, her expression blank. "If you want this business deal to succeed, let’s keep our conversations strictly professional."

Damien’s jaw tightened. "That’s not an answer."

Ava’s lips curved into a polite smile. "Have a good day, Mr. Blackwood."

And with that, she walked out, leaving Damien more frustrated than ever.

Sinclair Enterprises – CEO’s Office

Vivian leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she scanned through the latest financial reports. The past few weeks had been exhausting—balancing the company, handling the aftermath of their parents’ accident, and now keeping an eye on Ava, who had been forced into the corporate world.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in."

Nicholas Kingston stepped inside, exuding authority and composure as always. He wore a tailored navy-blue suit, the color complementing his piercing blue eyes. "You look tired."

Vivian huffed. "And you look annoyingly put together, as usual."

He smirked, taking a seat across from her. "I have an image to maintain."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. "Why are you here, Kingston? I don’t have time for your games today."

Nicholas set a folder on her desk and slid it toward her. "New proposal from the Blackwood Corporation. Damien signed the deal with Ava. Thought you’d want to review it."

Vivian’s eyes darkened slightly. "So, it’s official now."

Nicholas studied her reaction. "You don’t seem happy about it."

She sighed, leaning forward. "Ava’s never been involved in the company. She was perfectly fine in her little bookshop, away from all of this. But now? She’s caught in a web of business politics and power struggles."

Nicholas tilted his head. "You think Damien Blackwood is the problem?"

Vivian hesitated. "I don’t know yet. But his mother tried to pay Ava off to stay away from him, and I don’t like that."

His expression darkened slightly. "Lillian Blackwood? That woman doesn’t do anything without a reason."

Vivian scoffed. "And that’s exactly why I don’t trust any of them. I don’t want Ava getting tangled in whatever their family is planning."

Nicholas was silent for a moment before he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Then maybe you should keep a closer eye on Ava… and Damien."

Vivian’s gaze met his, a silent understanding passing between them.

"I already am.”

Sinclair Enterprises – CEO’s Office

Vivian wasn’t surprised when her secretary informed her that Lillian Blackwood was waiting outside her office. What did surprise her was how soon the woman had decided to make a move.

She adjusted her posture, making sure she looked composed and unbothered before saying, “Let her in.”

The office door opened, and Lillian Blackwood walked in with the grace of a queen, dressed in an elegant emerald green suit that screamed wealth and status. She offered a polite smile, but her eyes were sharp—calculating.

“Vivian Sinclair,” Lillian said smoothly as she took a seat without being invited. “You have a very impressive company.”

Vivian matched her polite tone. “I’m aware. What can I do for you, Mrs. Blackwood?”

Lillian folded her hands in her lap. “I’ll be straightforward. I have concerns about your sister.”

Vivian didn’t react, but internally, her annoyance spiked. “Concerns?”

Lillian sighed, as if this were difficult for her. “Ava is young, inexperienced, and comes from a family that, while respectable, is not involved in our world.” She tilted her head slightly. “I assume you’re aware of what I mean?”