[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave":3,"chapter-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-461":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},924033,1212,"Chapter 461: Not Appropriate","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-461",461,"\u003Cp>[Third Person].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda didn’t acknowledge any of them. But she felt the eyes—the admiration, the envy, and it soothed something raw inside her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boutique attendants rushed to her immediately, bowing with respect. \"Lady Wanda, how may we assist you today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her chin. \"I need a dress. Something striking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They understood instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes later, Wanda stood before a large gilded mirror, a deep red dress draped against her frame—long, elegant, fitted at the waist, with a slit high enough to demand attention but tasteful enough not to be criticized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips curved. \"Wrap it,\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the next shop, she chose a pair of matching heels that looked sharp, tall, and commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she continued down the lane, entering Stormveil’s most reputable salon. Again, the attendants bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Wanda,\" they greeted, \"an honour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda sat while they washed her hair, the warm water and fragrant oils easing the tension from her scalp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let her gaze drift to the mirror as they styled her hair into soft, cascading waves that framed her strong features with just the right amount of feminine allure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her last stop was the nail salon. A nail technician nearly tripped rushing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lady, please. Right this way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda rested her hands on the armrest, entirely in her element as her nails were painted a glossy crimson that matched the dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all completed within an hour—efficient, respectful, and seamless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping back into the sunlight, Wanda held her shopping bags and inhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked beautiful, powerful and unforgettable. No one would ever know she cried last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, she would walk into the Oatrun estate with her head high—a woman who would not be overlooked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Draven would see her. He would have no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda parked her car in the driveway with a smooth turn of the wheel. And before she even opened her door, two servants rushed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back, Lady Wanda,\" they said quickly, bowing as they hurried to open the back door and lift out her shopping bags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda gave a brief nod and walked ahead of them with a thought brewing in her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no message from her father, nor any summons or threat to see him in his study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, she would expect a storm, but today? She didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda stepped inside the house and immediately spotted Levi in the living area, lounging on the sofa with a cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up the moment she entered, relief, irritation, and worry flashing across his features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wanda,\" he called, rising to his feet and stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ignored him, turning to walk past, but he reached out and caught her wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where were you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda didn’t answer. At that exact moment, the servants carrying her shopping bags entered behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They each bowed politely toward Levi, then quickly carried the bags upstairs to Wanda’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi stared. Then the realization hit him. \"You went shopping,\" he said flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a breath, he asked, \"You didn’t answer my calls. Or my messages. Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was busy,\" Wanda said, then flicked her crimson nails at him, admiring the shine. The sarcasm in her tone was sharp enough to cut through steel. \"So, I saw no reason to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tensed, but he tried to keep his voice steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wanda... are you deliberately trying to anger Father? Leaving the residence without informing anyone—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda turned her head sharply, her eyes burning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please,\" she said, her voice cold. \"You all worrying about me is a first. I’m already used to being ignored. Used to being convenient. Used to being nobody’s priority.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips curved in a bitter smile. \"So, at least once, Father can learn to give in to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi’s expression softened just a fraction, but she had already turned away. She took two steps, then paused and glanced over her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What time are we leaving for the Oatrun estate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi straightened. \"We will be having lunch there. So maybe in 2 hours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda nodded once. \"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away, her heels echoing across the polished floors, each step full of quiet defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Few Hours Later, Levi and Vivian waited in the living area, both already dressed and prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian smoothed the sleeve of her soft cream dress for the third time. Levi checked his watch for the fifteenth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s taking long,\" Vivian murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi sighed. \"It’s Wanda. She always takes long when she wants to make a point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Vivian could respond, the sound of heels clicked sharply against the wooden floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both turned immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda descended the last step with unhurried grace, wearing the striking red dress from earlier, the one that draped against her figure, hugged her waist with a slit, and made her hair, styled in loose waves, fall around her shoulders as if she had just stepped out of a magazine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi’s brows rose before he could stop them. He had expected Wanda to freshen up, maybe wear a simple gown or her usual pants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian stared, momentarily stunned. She quickly masked it with a smile, but her eyes flickered with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would Wanda dress like that to visit Alpha Draven? It wasn’t a banquet or a formal gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t appropriate at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda caught both of their reactions—the prolonged silence, Levi’s widened eyes, Vivian’s polite but strained expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfaction warmed her chest. But outwardly? Her face remained perfectly neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped at the base of the staircase, lifted her chin a fraction, and said with absolute calm, \"I’m ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi blinked, recovering first. \"You... look very formal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanda gave a small, elegant shrug, her tone almost bored. \"It’s a visit of respect. One should dress accordingly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vivian forced a smile and nodded politely, though her thoughts were racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Wanda simply walked past them, her perfume trailing faintly in the air, every step measured, confident, and wordlessly defiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we?\" she said without turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Levi exchanged a look with Vivian—a mix of resignation and unspoken concern, then followed his sister out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was going to be... eventful.\u003C\u002Fp>",1032,"2026-06-03T06:41:07.526Z","2026-06-03T06:41:13.871Z",1,"novelbin.me","be0a4ff35d08f7933e18be71be8607f931a5db1664eddec3d087eaa74557c6f7","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-462","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-460",685,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-cover.jpg"]