The Fake Luna: Marked By The Alpha King

Chapter 118: Chapter 118 Go ahead with the original plan

Aria’s POV

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

I ended the call with the head of Silverbrook City’s official news station and set my phone down on my desk.

The article had been up for less than three hours, but it had already spread like wildfire.

My phone had been buzzing nonstop—texts, calls, messages from people I hadn’t spoken to in years.

Jennifer and the rest of my team were losing their minds, pacing around my office like caged animals. But honestly? I wasn’t all that worried.

It was a hit piece. A poorly executed one at that. Whoever was behind it clearly didn’t know who they were dealing with.

Smith Enterprises had enough influence in Silverbrook to bury this story by lunchtime. And if it was a fake article—which it obviously was—then it could be taken down even faster.

I ran through the list of suspects in my mind.

Nathan? Sylvia? Maybe one of Ethan’s pack members? Or perhaps some old classmate from university who still held a grudge?

When I checked the byline, I recognized the name immediately.

Ryan Cole.

I blinked. Ryan Cole? The guy from my finance program?

Did we even have a problem?

My thoughts were interrupted by Jennifer bursting into my office.

"Aria!Did you figure out who wrote it?"

"Yeah." I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "Don’t worry. The article will be taken down within the hour. I’ve already made some calls."

Jennifer exhaled in relief. "Thank God. I’ve been trying to defend you online all morning, but there are just too many trolls."

"I know." I offered her a small smile. "But it’s fine. I’ve got it handled."

I’d already contacted my legal team—the same team that handled all of Victor’s business dealings.

They were the best in the city. Ryan Cole and every media outlet that had shared his garbage article were going to regret it.

"You better make them pay," Jennifer said fiercely. "What they’re saying about you is disgusting."

"I will."

I always did.

Jennifer hesitated, biting her lip. "Do you think... Alpha Damian saw the article?"

My chest tightened.

I hadn’t thought about that.

"He won’t believe it," I said quickly. Maybe too quickly.

Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I mean, you guys haven’t known each other that long..."

"He won’t," I repeated, more firmly this time.

We’d only been together for a month or two, but the way he looked at me, the way he made me feel.

Sometimes I got the sense that if I announced my intention to burn down the world, he’d be the one striking the match.

Still, I should probably give him a heads-up. Just in case.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number.

*Ring. Ring.*

*"The number you are calling is currently busy."*

I frowned. He must be in a meeting.

Before I could try again, there was a knock at the door.

"Aria, got a minute?"

Nathan. His voice was unmistakable—smooth, casual, like he owned every room he walked into.

He didn’t wait for an answer. He pushed the door open and leaned against the frame, arms crossed.

Jennifer stiffened immediately. "Alpha Nathan." Her tone was cold. Guarded.

Nathan’s gaze flicked to her, a slow smirk spreading across his face as he looked her over before turning back to me. "Busy, I see."

"Jennifer, can you give us a minute?"

She hesitated, glancing between us, then nodded reluctantly and left. Nathan watched her go, smirk widening.

"Your team really doesn’t like me," he said once the door closed. "They look at me like I’m about to eat you alive."

"What do you want, Nathan?" I didn’t bother with pleasantries. "I have things to do."

He pulled out the chair across from my desk and sat, crossing one leg over the other.

"I heard some unfortunate rumors about you this morning," he said, his tone light. Almost playful.

"Look, I get it. Before you came to the Smith family, you had to survive. I’m not judging you for whatever you had to do. But now that you’re the face of Smith Enterprises..."

He trailed off, shaking his head. "Public perception matters, Aria. If the company suffers because of this, you’ll be held responsible."

I said nothing. Just waited.

Nathan’s smile faltered slightly. "Mom and I have discussed it. We’re willing to let you keep a position here—mid-level management. But you’ll need to return most of the inheritance. Seventy percent, at least."

I tilted my head. "Seventy percent? That’s an improvement. Last time it was everything."

His expression darkened. "Aria, I’m trying to help you. Do you really think running V&A Group will be as easy as you think? You’re already a target. This article is just the beginning."

He leaned forward, elbows on the desk. "I’m offering you an out. Take the deal. Step down. You can still be part of the Smith family. We’ll leave each other alone."

His tone was almost concerned. But I could hear the threat beneath it.

I smiled. "Nathan, why don’t you check your phone?"

He frowned. "What?"

"Check the news."

He pulled it out, brow furrowing as his eyes scanned the screen.

Within ten minutes of my call, the news station had deleted Ryan’s article and issued a public apology—the piece had been written by a disgruntled employee seeking revenge on a former classmate.

Ryan had been fired and handed to the authorities. My legal team had sent cease-and-desist letters to every outlet that shared it. The damage was minimal. Controlled.

Nathan’s jaw tightened. "You work fast," he muttered.

"I do."

He stood, adjusting his cufflinks. "Fine. You handled this one. But what about the next scandal? Can you guarantee there won’t be more?"

"I can’t control what people say about me," I replied calmly. "But I can control how I respond. And I can promise you—I’ve done nothing wrong. I have nothing to hide."

I met his gaze head-on. "Besides, if a fake article is enough to destabilize V&A Group... then maybe the problem isn’t me."

Nathan’s eyes narrowed. Neither of us spoke.

Then he smiled—cold and humorless.

"Mom wanted me to invite you to dinner this weekend. She regrets missing your engagement party. A chance for both families to get together. "

"There will be other guests too—important ones." He placed a sleek black invitation on my desk. "Don’t be late."

And with that, he turned and walked out.

---

Author’s POV

Nathan didn’t pull out his phone until he was well away from Aria’s office. He stopped in the empty corridor, leaning against the wall.

"Go ahead with the original plan," he said quietly when someone picked up.

A pause. "You sure about this, Alpha? I thought you were going to give her another chance to—"

"I did." Nathan’s jaw tightened. "She didn’t take it."

He ended the call and stared down the hallway toward Aria’s office.

Truth was, he didn’t completely hate his stepsister. Not the way his mother did. But she’d made her choice. And Nathan Smith didn’t give third chances.

If she wouldn’t step down willingly, he’d make sure she had no choice but to fall.