Third Person’s POV


    Madison’s confrontational tone sent the conference room into a brief silence.


    Her pheromones, reeking of wolfsbane, disrupted the musk–filled air.


    In Lycan Erasmus’s mind, his wolf growled, “How dare she.”


    Madison’s wolf ws dug into the sofa armrest–she hadn’t anticipated the Lycan King’s overwhelming


    aura.


    All lower–ranking wolves in the hall dropped to one knee, their throats emitting involuntary whimpers. Even Prisci’s musk pheromones were suppressed into thin lines.


    Soon, Lycan Erasmus’s anger subsided, and the room returned to normal.


    “Why would you use her without evidence? You im she insulted you but can’t specify what was said. You refuse to confront her directly. How am I to judge her guilty?” Lycan Erasmus asked.


    Madison snapped, “Trespassing on my estate and insulting a princess is disrespect enough!”


    Lycan Erasmus smiled enigmatically. “Are you certain you want me to rule this way?”


    “Of course…” Madison trailed off mid–sentence.


    The silver wolf–head statue incident from the birthday party had juste to light. If she pushed for punishment based on “trespassing and insults,” the public would link it to the statue.


    This would effectively admit to gifting the statue, sparking public outrage and affecting morale.


    What would the Royal Elder Council and Alpha Bentley’s former subordinates think?


    Madison finally understood why Adide had dared to break into her estate and shatter the statue.


    The statue’s secret couldn’t be exposed.


    Even if it were, she could deny it. But if she punished Adide for disrespect, public opinion would assume the statue’s existence, ruining her reputation.


    Watching Madison’s expressions shift from anger to embarrassment to pallor, Prisci felt a twisted satisfaction.


    Madison, too, had hereuppance!


    Though Prisci didn’t grasp all the implications, Madison’s sudden silence indicated she realized her approach was wed.


    Prisci wouldter ask rissa but for now relished Madison’s frustration.


    Madison stormed out, finally realizing Adide’s audacity stemmed not just from Lance’s support but also from Lycan rissa and Lycan Erasmus’s backing.


    No wonder she was so brazen!


    After Madison left, Lycan Erasmus sighed, massaging his forehead. “It seems the rumors are true. Madison went too far.”


    rissa’s face contorted with anger. “I could p her! Her arrogance, malice, and selfishness have disgraced the royal family.”


    “How furious Aire must have been,” Lycan Erasmus mused.


    rissa’s eyes welled up. “Yes, yet she never uttered a word of grievance to me. I could have stood up for her.”


    “rissa, don’t be disheartened. She’s gone now; let’s hope she rests in peace,” Lycan Erasmus said somberly.


    He recalled Velda’s role in the Frostfang Pack Alpha family’s massacre–a truth that couldn’t be revealed. With Aire gone, how could she find peace?


    But the truth could never surface.


    It would remain a muddled secret. The Western Tribe wouldn’t mention it, and neither would they.


    Beta Fabian was right–Alpha Bentley’s family had endured immense injustice.


    With state affairs to attend to, Lycan Erasmus didn’t linger. rissa and Prisci remained in the conference room.


    Prisci pondered–Madison hade to the pce determined to punish Adide. Prisci had assumed Adide’s fate was sealed–arrogance always had a price.


    But Madison left in a huff, neither punishing nor scolding Adide, as if swallowing a bitter defeat.


    Prisci mulled it over. Some pieces fell into ce, others remained elusive.


    Observing rissa, she asked, “rissa, why did Madison let Adide off so easily? Given her temper, she shouldn’t just let insults slide. I think Adide must have done those things; otherwise, Madison wouldn’t have been so furious.”


    rissa nced at her sharply. “Not getting it, huh? Use your brain–it’ll rust otherwise.”


    Prisci pouted. “You know I hate thinking. Even if I guess part of it, I can’t figure out the whole.”


    “Drop the act. No more coyness,” rissa retorted. “Adide did trespass and insult her, as you guessed. Madison, in her initial rage, thought Adide had backing. But when Lycan Erasmus asked if she should rule based on that, Madison realized the connection to the birthday party scandal. Could she publicly use Adide of trespassing and insults now?”


    “Because of the silver wolf–head statue scandal!” Prisci said.


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    rissa continued, “That’s one reason. The other is that <b>even </b>if Adide were punished, as a first–time offender with military merits, she’d likely just receive a verbal reprimand. Madison’s authority would be shattered–no one would fear her then. So, understand now? Adide didn’t act recklessly. She knew exactly how to exploit Madison’s psychology.”