I calmly ced the crystal design magazine back on the shelf after Victoria''s emotional outburst. Her jealousy was almost amusing.
"What''s wrong. Victoria?" I asked, deliberately keeping my voice light. "Are you worried?"
Victoria''s perfectly sculpted eyebrows drew together in confusion before her face contorted with anger.
"I have nothing to be anxious about..." she started defensively, then stopped abruptly as realization dawned
on her face.
I couldn''t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. She''d fallen right into my trap, effectively admitting to be worried - a derogatory term implying she was desperate and territorial.
Fury shed in Victoria''s eyes. She lunged at me with a snarl, her manicured nails aimed at my face.
I moved quickly, catching her wrists and pinning her against the bookshelf. Several crystal samples rattled precariously on their shelves.
"Let me go!" she hissed, struggling against my grip.
My emerald eyes locked with hers. Despite my status as a Luna without favor, I was still physically stronger
than her.
"Victoria Frost," I said, my voice dropping to an icy whisper, "Seduce him? He doesn''t deserve it."
Victoria''s face paled with rage. She twisted violently in my grip.
I released her and stepped back, returning to my work organizing the crystal samples as if nothing had
happened,
"You''ll regret this," Victoria spat, straightening her designer blouse. "You think you''re so clever, don''t you?"
I continued sorting through the samples, not bothering to look at her.
"You know what your problem is, Olivia?" Victoria continued, her voice gaining confidence. "You rely too much on that old woman''s protection."
My hands stilled on a moonstone crystal.
"When Grandmother passes, who will protect you then?" she sneered, her perfectly manicured nails digging
into her palms.
Something snapped inside me. I grabbed the magazine from the shelf and hurled it at Victoria. It hit her squarely in the mouth.
"Don''t you dare speak about Matriarch Stone that way," I growled, advancing on her. "She''s healthy and will live for many more years."
Victoria touched her lip where the magazine had struck, her eyes widening in shock.
“Unlike you, Victoria,” I continued, “I don''t need to rely on my looks to secure my position. Your beauty won''t
*000
I R
7
O Chaster 11 & War of Win
I walked past her, my shoulders squared with dignity, and left the materials room without a backward nce.
(Victoria''s POV)
That insufferable woman! I dabbed at my lip, checking for blood on my fingertip.
How dare she attack me? I was Victoria Frost, beloved of Alpha King Ethan Stone. I wouldn''t let this
humiliation stand,
I took several deep breaths,posing myself before returning to the main office.
A n was already forming in my mind.
Gregory Hayes approached as I emerged from the materials room. "Mrs. Frost, are you alright? You look
flushed."
I gave him my most dazzling smile. “I''m perfectly fine, just excited about my first day"
The afternoon passed quickly as I charmed my way through the office, making connections and establishing myself as someone of importance.
By the end of the day, I had the perfect opportunity to demonstrate my superiority over Olivia.
"Everyone, I announced with practiced casualness as we were preparing to leave, "I''d like to invite you all to
dinner at Amber Crest Restaurant tonight."
Excited murmurs spread through the office.
"Ethan has reserved the private dining room for us, I continued, watching their eyes widen. "He wanted to celebrate my-our-first day at Canis Enterprises."
Amanda Fletcher was the first to ept. "How generous of Alpha King Stone! I''d be delighted to join."
One by one, our colleagues eagerly agreed. Even Sophia Hughes couldn''t hide her excitement at the prospect of dining at such an exclusive establishment.
Only Olivia remained silent, her face carefully nk.