Third Person’s POV
Adide’s lips curled slightly–finally showing up, huh?
She smoothed her hair, nced at the courtyard, and said indifferently, “Now that Madison’s back<b>, </b><b>I’ll </b><b>wait </b>in the living room.”
“Sure, Luna Adide, just wait in the living room. Madison wille after changing,” the omega said hastily.
Back in the living room, Adide saw Prisci had finished her snacks and was ordering a fresh cup of coffee, deeming the previous one cold.
Prisci, usually bossy with servants, was being uncharacteristically polite in Madison’s manor, treating <b>the </b>staff with respect.
Seeing Adide return, Prisci snapped, “Madison’s back, making you wait.”
Adide sat down calmly, “Really came from outside, or just emerged from inside? We’re in the living room. Unless she used a side or back door, we’d have seen her enter.”
Prisci rebuked, “As the manor’s owner, she wouldn’t use those doors. Do you know proper conduct?”
“Then I’ll wait and see her walk in,” Adide sipped the cold coffee.
Prisci had Susan wait outside.
Susan shivered in the cold for a long while, seeing no one enter, and sneezed uncontrobly.
Wanting to prove Madison came from outside, she endured the cold, shivering outside.
After nearly half an hour, Susan couldn’t bear it and headed back.
As she entered the living room, she saw Madison escorted by servants from the backyard corridor–even the dim–witted realized Madison never left.
Madison smiled, “Just got back and heard you’ve been waiting. Busy day, how’d you find time to visit?”
Adide rose and bowed, smiling, “As Lance’s mate, I should pay my respects and wish you well!”
Madison ignored Adide first, exchanging a t bow with Prisci.
Once everyone was seated, Madison told Adide, “No need for formalities among family.”
After sitting down, Adide cut to the chase, “We’re family, no need for formalities. Today’s <b>visit </b>is about your bet with Priscist night at the mating ceremony. You wagered on my wedding pink diamonds. Prisci said if I don’t pursue the matter, you lose and owe her three hundred thousand dors.”
She smiled at Prisci, “Prisci, we’re here for the bet. Since we won, take as many diamonds <b>as </b>you like— what’s mine is yours.”
<b>10:29 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>12 </b><b>Jul </b>UD
AS FINE CONT
Madison’s face fell–this woman was utterly tactless, diving straight into the issue without leaving <b>room </b><b>for </b>
maneuver.
iming to be the daughter of the Shadow Fang Pack’s Alpha, she acted like a boor.
Hum, forget the three hundred thousand dors–she’d never hand over the diamonds.
Once in her possession, treasures didn’t leave casily.
Poor Prisci, clueless she was being used.
Madison looked at Prisci, feigning confusion, “What’s this about? What bet and diamonds? Last night was just the mating ceremony. When did you take her wedding gifts? That’s uneptable. <b>A </b>son’s <b>mate’s </b>wedding gifts are her private property. You can’t just take them<b>, </b>even in jest.”
Prisci was stunned.
Over the years of dealing with Madison and her daughter, Prisci wasn’t naive enough to expect the thirty thousand dors without some doubt. Yet she’d always clung to a sliver of hope.
But Madison denying everything–the pink diamonds, the bet–it caught Priscipletely off <b>guard</b><b>. </b>
She stared nkly, then looked at Susan, whose red, sneezing face was hidden behind her <b>sleeve</b>.
Prisci shifted her gaze to Adide, whose calm demeanor suggested she’d anticipated this.
Unwilling to be seen through by Adide and furious at Madison’s shamelessness, Prisci blurted, “How could you? Last night, I gave you the diamonds. You said if she didn’t chase me, you’d return the diamonds and lose three hundred thousand dors. Why go back on your word?”
“Absurd. How would I incite you to take Lance’s mate’s wedding gifts? Go ask around–do I seem like someone who’d do that?”
Madison’s face darkened as she snapped.
Prisci, already intimidated by Madison, panicked and suggested, “Let’s… let’s go back and check.”
Adide almost rolled her eyes–go back?
-They’d never retrieve anything then.
But as the “dutiful” Luna, she yed along, smiling, “Alright, let’s head back.”
Madison, lifting her coffee cup, nced at Adide sideways. Oh? So easily put off? That simplified things.
Indeed, as long <b>as </b>she denied taking the diamonds, no one could touch her.
As for Prisci, a few soothing words would suffice. She needed to control the narrative.
Hearing Adide agree to leave, Prisci felt a strange mix of emotions<b>–</b><b>so </bpliant? <b>Then </b>the diamonds and money were as good as gone.
Butpliance was better than a scene, which would be more embarrassing.
<b>III </b>
<b>2/3 </b>
10:29 Sat, 12 Jul
Yet Madison’s denial still rankled.
s
As she stood up restlessly, Adide suddenly said, “I’m heading to the Shadow Peaks tomorrow. I’ll mention the pink diamonds to Irene. Since the Warscar Training Camp folks are still around, I should tell them about Prisci’s bet with Madison using my diamonds. If the numbers don’t add up, it’ll seem like they’re trying to fool me.”