The Queen They Let Go (Alice and Eric) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 173 Beware of the Snake

Chapter 173 Beware of the Snake

Scott pointed at one of the screens. “See for yourself.”

Damon leaned in and squinted at the footage. That was Linda. And… was that Les?

Linda stood waiting as Les hurried over.

They looked… comfortable–too comfortable. Smiling, chatting, even holding hands.

Those two weren’t casual acquaintances.

Damon frowned, still in denial.

“Maybe… maybe she doesn’t know who Les really is.”

Scott scoffed.

“You really don’t know your sister at all.”

Damon’s expression darkened.

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“You know, Scott,” he said, forcing a smirk, “lately you’ve been acting out of line. You seem awfully invested in that hillbilly.”

He stopped short of using harsher words, realizing Scott might actually care about Alice.

So he swallowed them down.

Scott suddenly asked, “Still stuck with your painting?”

The question struck a nerve; Damon’s lips thinned. He was annoying.

He had once believed that becoming Halsey’s final protégé would open new doors, help him push through his creative block, and become a true master. But then everything fell apart.

Halsey barely had time to guide him before things went south.

Now the once–great artist drowned himself in booze, his spirit shattered.

To be fair, Halsey had saved enough oyer the years–he never had to sell another painting and would still live comfortably.

But broken pride wasn’t something money could fix.

Worse, Damon’s reputation sank with Halsey’s. No other artist wanted to mentor him, not after Halsey’s fallout with Alice.

Everyone in the art world blamed Damon for dragging Halsey down.

And now, with Alice blowing up all over the internet again, his chances looked even slimmer.

Unless he somehow taught himself, Damon’s days of improving were over.

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Chapter 173 Beware of the Snake

You already know the reason, he muttered bitterly. “Why ask?

Scott shook his head. “No, what I don’t get is why you’re always looking for shortcuts. You used to have real- talent. What happened?”

Damon snorted coldly, “You wouldn’t understand. Don’t try to lecture me.”

“If you won’t listen, then forget it,” Scott said coolly. “But if you still think I’m making this up, go to that place and hear for yourself what they’re saying.”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away–as if saying one more word to Damon would be an insult to his own intelligence.

Damon scoffed after him–but the moment he left, Damon couldn’t shake the unease. A

Without thinking, he found himself playing the footage, which depicted the scene where Linda had met up with Les.

“Les, is it really true?” Linda asked, her voice soft.

Les smiled and said, “Of course it is. When have I ever let you down?”

“Then please,” she said eagerly, “tell Mr. Reese I’ll work hard once I’m in Riverview University. I promise I won’t let him down.”

“You don’t need to worry about him,” Les said, his tone slipping into something lecherous. “As long as you keep me happy, that’s all that matters.”

Linda giggled and playfully tapped his chest. “You’re so annoying.”

Damon stood frozen. It felt like the ground had dropped out beneath him.

H–how could this be happening?

He didn’t even remember how he left the place.

But as he walked aimlessly, their conversation kept echoing in his mind.

If Linda had just learned who Les was, she wouldn’t have talked about pulling strings for Riverview University.

That kind of request took time–planning. She must’ve known for a while.

His laughter turned bitter.

When Alice went home, she was too tired to say a word.

Even Daniel, who had been dying to ask about Venom, kept quiet.

Instead, he waited until she disappeared into the bathroom for a soak. Then he slipped over to Eric with a hushed tone.

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Chapter 173 Beware of the Snake

“Mr. Eric, you might want to keep an eye on Venom.”

He had gone through Venom’s entire background.

The man had come from nothing–no money, no name, no family connections.

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