The next morning at 5 AM, Lleft the hospital.
This time I didn’t alarm anyone, only leaving a note.
My parents were too exhausted, having only fallen asleep at 2 AM. I didn’t want them to suffer any more distress.
After disguising myself, I took a taxi to Alice’s house.
When the door opened, she looked completely exhausted with dark circles under her eyes, clearly having not slept all night.
As soon as I entered, I told her about last night’s events.
After hearing everything, she exploded with rage: “Alpha… is Rowan even human? Calling him a beast would be too kind!”
“Moira and your mother–in–law–none of them are human!”
I didn’t respond, just took off my coat and changed into slippers.
She stared at me: “You’re in the mood to cook?!”
“Getting angry and going hungry over scum like that isn’t worth it.” I pressed her onto the sofa. “Only when you’re full do you have the strength to deal with them.”
She grabbed my wrist, and looking down, her expression changed: “Your hand… it’s marked this badly?”
I smiled faintly: “Yes, they left me no way out.”
Her anger reached near–hysteria: “You were with Rowan for eight years! Eight years! And this is how he treats you?!”
“To please his new lover, he’d do anything.”
“But didn’t he used to… pretend to care about you?”
Care?
I laughed sarcastically: “Do you know? Tonight he’s announcing his engagement to Moira.”
“What?!” Alice’s eyes widened.
“You haven’t dissolved the mate bond yet! Wait… did he already know you were going to ask him to sign the dissolution agreement?”
Her mind raced, her face growing paler: “He conspired with his mother long ago, planning to destroy you on the last day, completely ruin your reputation, then use the video to threaten you into cooperating with the dissolution? That way you wouldn’t get any compensation and wouldn’t dare speak out…”
I didn’t respond, just turned and went into the kitchen.
Soon, I brought out breakfast.
But she couldn’t eat, acting more like she was the one who’d been hurt. Meanwhile, I ate with good appetite.
After finishing, I wiped my mouth, my tone calm but firm: “Alice, I need you to help me with some things.”
“Just say it,” Alice said firmly. “Through fire and water, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
I nodded. “Good.”
Third Person POV:
20.99
Chapter
That evening at 7 PM, Peninsula Hotel,
The charity gala organized by Mrs. Mercer was held grandly, with nearly half of the pack’s elite in attendance.
The Ashenford family came out in full force, practically planting a “powerful alliance” banner in the center of the venue.
Many had already heard rumors, and even those who usually paid little attention could guess from seeing Moira intimately holding Rowan’s arm – this gala was likely for officially announcing their engagement.
Moira stood in the crowd, frequently checking her phone.
Her expression kept turning sour.
What was wrong with those people?
No video had been sent, calls went unanswered. Why was there no movement from Elara at all?
This shouldn’t be happening. The people were already in the room–how could it go wrong?
Unless… she really died.
At this thought, she pursed her lips.
Death would be clean enough, though it lacked some entertainment. She’d originally wanted to see her living in agony.
Mrs. Mercer approached, asking quietly: “Moira, did you get that compensation agreement?”
Moira’s heart tightened, but her face remained composed as she nodded: “I got it. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.”
“Good.” Mrs. Mercer’s eyes were full of satisfaction.
Moira secretly decided to forge an agreement later. After all, Elara was already finished–who could jump out to expose
The two women exchanged a knowing look.
They were both waiting to announce that “surprise” engagement ceremony.
Even Rowan himself didn’t know about it yet.
them?
The Ashenford family’s mother–daughter calculation was clear: strike first to gain advantage. Once he was put on the spot, he’d have to go along with
- it.
At that moment, Rowan had just escaped from the banquet hall to the balcony and was making a phone call
(6)
