If I didn''t exin, it was an admission of guilt. If did exin, it was mere sophistry.
If I lost control, I was simply a "wild Omega"
My nose stung with the surge of injustice and heartache, which eventually morphed into a coldugh.
Ethan, hearing meugh, looked up, his eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint, as if warning me. I could see he was conflicted-angry at Victoria''s deception yet still protective of her
My smile turned even colder, my emerald eyes reflecting a painful realization. The answer was crystal clear. I
had lost.
Without lingering any longer, I turned and walked back toward the private dining room of Amber Crest
Restaurant.
Although I hadn''t expected this incident to make Ethan see through Victoria or be disillusioned with her, I had hoped for at least a flicker of doubt. But I hadn''t anticipated this oue.
I reached the door of the private room and opened it, walking back to my seat with
aposed expression. Picking up my ss of wine, I took several gulps to suppress the bitterness in my throat.
"Olivia, Victoria just went to the restroom too. Didn''t you run into each other?" Sophia Hughes, sitting beside
me, asked.
"No," I replied with a forced smile.
Picking up my silverware, I lowered my head to eat, masking my emotions from my colleagues. The venison with moonberry sauce tasted like ash in my mouth.
"Victoria hasn''te back for so long. Could something have happened?" Sophia worried, ncing toward
the door.
"What are you saying? This is Alpha Stone''s ce. How could anything happen to Victoria, the future Luna?" another colleague responded with augh.
At that moment, the door opened again, revealing not only Victoria but also Ethan Stone, Victoria held Ethan''s arm, their intimacy a clear indication that there was no rift between them.
Ethan''s presence itself was a testament to his stance. Victoria, with a smile ying on her lips, cast a meaningful nce at me, her eyes shing with triumph.
Her slightly raised chin seemed to convey a message: "Olivia, even if you set me up and let Ethan know the truth, do you think he would be angry with me? Principles are nothingpared to true love."
"Alpha Stone," everyone in the room stood up as Ethan entered, their expressions a mix of nervousness and respect as they greeted him.
Only I remained seated, my eyes downcast, concealing my coldness and mockery as I calmly sipped my soup. I refused to participate in this charade of respect.
Ethan responded with a faint "Hmm," his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on me. His gaze
Cluptei
was intense and impossible to ignore..
I felt it, but I chose to ignore him, continuing to eat as if his presence meant nothing to me.
Victoria clung to Ethan''s arm, smiling sweetly as she announced, "Sorry, Ethan came to pick me up early."
She looked around the table, her voice dripping with false generosity. "Please continue. Ethan has already. made arrangements. Order whatever you want, it''s on his tab. Don''t be polite."
Ethan remained silent, tacitly agreeing to Victoria''s arrangements, giving her full face in front of everyone.
The others looked at Victoria with increasing envy.
"Thank you, Alpha Stone," several voices echoed. Ethan nodded again without saying much.
Victoria nced at me, aware of my low alcohol tolerance. A new scheme was forming behind her eyes.
"Excuse me, everyone, I''d like to propose a toast," she announced, releasing Ethan''s arm.
Victoria walked to her seat, picked up her ss, and filled it to the brim with wine. I initially didn''t move, but Victoria fixed her gaze on me, prompting the others to follow suit.
I had no choice but to pick up my ss and take a perfunctory sip. My alcohol tolerance wasn''t high, and the previous ss had already started to affect me, making the room spin slightly.
Victoria downed her drink in one gulp, then stumbled slightly as she set down her ss, falling into Ethan''s arms with practiced precision.
Leaning against him, she pressed her temple and looked up, her eyes misty as she spoke in a coquettish tone, "Ethan, I feel a little dizzy. Let''s go home."