Chapter 7

I thought it was work-related, so I answered the call without hesitation. "Is this Miss Seraphina?" A somewhat familiar, middle-aged woman's voice came from the other end. "This is Eleanora, Damon’s mother." "Mrs. Hawthorne..." I paused, surprised. Since Damon went abroad, I hadn’t been in contact with the Hawthorne family. "Is there something wrong?" I asked, trying to sound patient. "Are you free anytime soon? Can we meet? It would be best if you could bring Alpha Darius along." Eleanora’s voice was cautious, as though treading carefully. I felt uneasy. "Has something happened?" Eleanora immediately broke into tears. "Seraphina, I don’t know why, but Helios Capital Holdings has started attacking our company. In just a few days, we’ve lost tens of millions. The partners we had contracts with are willing to pay penalties rather than continue working with us… Crestfall Dynamics is on the brink of bankruptcy!" I froze. I never expected Darius to go after Crestfall Dynamics. "Seraphina, there must be some misunderstanding. Can you go explain things to Mr. Nightbane? Our company, which has been around for over a hundred years, is going to be ruined." Eleanora sobbed helplessly. "Damon has been so busy, his hair has turned white… and he’s only in his twenties." I couldn't shake the guilt. Crestfall Dynamics was suffering because of me. "Mrs. Hawthorne, don’t worry. I’ll go and explain things to him." "Thank you, Seraphina," Eleanora choked out. "Please, try to speak on our behalf. I’ll repay you handsomely one day." The more she spoke with such humble gratitude, the heavier my guilt became. The Hawthorne family hadn’t done anything wrong... I quickly finished getting ready and called Darius. I dialed his number over and over—ten calls in a row—but he didn’t answer. Finally, I got through, but it wasn’t Darius’s voice I heard. It was Isolde’s, soft yet insincere. "Miss Seraphina, is there something I can help you with?" I kept my voice calm but firm. "Where’s Darius Nightbane? I need to speak with him." Isolde let out a delicate laugh. "Alpha Darius is busy trying on wedding suits. We’re going out for dinner tonight. He won’t have time for you in the next few days. Please don’t bother us..." "Put him on the phone, or I’ll come over and make sure you can’t enjoy your wedding dress fitting!" I didn’t waste time with pleasantries, directly threatening her. Isolde laughed coldly. "Fine, Seraphina Lycoris. If you’re so brave, come right over and see if Alpha Darius will let you in." Without another word, I hung up the phone. I had no choice but to watch Crestfall Dynamics face ruin, so I packed up and headed straight to the bridal shop. When I arrived, I saw Isolde in a pure white wedding dress, leaning on Darius's arm. They were chatting and laughing, utterly in love. Darius had never smiled at me like that. "Alpha Darius," I called, interrupting the painful scene. "Can you give me ten minutes? I need to speak with you." Isolde’s smile faltered as she tightened her grip on Darius’s arm. Darius turned to look at me, his gaze as cold as ice. He spoke in a flat, emotionless tone. "Get out." My heart ached, but I stood my ground. "I have something urgent to discuss." Darius frowned, visibly irritated. He repeated, "Seraphina Lycoris, I said get out!" I looked directly into Darius’s disgusted eyes. "I won’t leave until I finish what I need to say." At that moment, Isolde spoke up, lowering her head, her voice soft and full of reproach. "I don’t mind you two being together at other times, but right now, can you please ask her to leave? I just want to be alone with you." Darius, his expression softening, gently patted her back before turning back to me with a cold, murderous glare. "Get someone in here and throw this woman out. If she refuses to leave, break her legs." As soon as the words left his mouth, two werewolf warriors rushed in, grabbing my arms and dragging me toward the door. "Let go of me!" I struggled, shouting. "Darius, if you won’t even give me ten minutes, I’ll make a scene right here, right in front of the bridal shop, and let everyone know that you have a fiancée but still slept with me!"