Third Person’s POV
“I thought you’d quarrel with her, but you talked calmly, Prisci said with a hint of disdain.
* Des Going
“Calmness solves problems. We need one hardliner and one peacemaker. We can’t break tiespletely With her good rtions with royalty and Lunas, if she nders me, my reputation will be ruined. You don’t mind conflict like I do.”
Adide said nothing.
She looked at the check, then took out some cash from her wallet and handed it to Susan. “This is for you -a bonus.”
Susan’s eyes widened. “Luna Adide, this is two thousand dors!”
“Yes, you’ve cared for Prisci for years. You deserve a share, Adide smiled.
Prisci nced at her. “Why give her money? She’s well–provided for. I take care of her. At her age, extra money might just get her scammed.”
Susan gratefully epted the money.
From Susan’s reaction and Prisci’s words, Adide inferred that while Prisci treated Susan decently, she rarely gave her extra rewards beyond her regr stipend.
It wasn’t that Prisci was mean–spirited–she considered Susan family.
But some people are generous to outsiders yet casual, even stingy, with their own.
Adide pocketed the check–since Prisci still saw her as an outsider, she’d keep it that way.
Prisci sneered at Susan’s delight. “What’s with you? Have I ever shortchanged you?”
“You’ve always been generous,” Susan replied, beaming.
But at her age, who wouldn’t want savings?
She cast a grateful look at Adide, vowing to speak well of her to Prisci in the future.
Prisci leaned against the carriage window, avoiding Adide’s gaze and maintaining her aloof demeanor.
But her opinion of Adide had shifted.
Adide hadn’t scolded her for stealing wedding gifts. Instead, she’d promptly retrieve the pink diamonds and the three hundred thousand dors.
The money for Adide were partly out of guilt–she knew having Susan stole diamonds for Madison was wrong.
Madison had ckmailed her, threatening to expose her actions.
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Reflecting on this, Prisci realized two risks—first, Madison might keep the diamonds and use the stolen wedding gifts to ckmail her; second, if Adide caused a scandal, Prisci’s reputation would be
shattered.
This made her see Madison’s insidiousness.
Yet after this ordeal, her animosity toward Adide faded, even regretting her harsh words.
Adide was no pushover–witnessing her skill in outmaneuvering Madison and reiming what was theirs proved that.
A direct confrontation with Adide would likely end in Prisci’s defeat.
Stealing a nce at Adide, she noticed her rxed expression and faint smile.
Her beauty was striking, with the radiance of a rose and the coolness of a lily.
Prisci asked curiously, “Aren’t you the least bit afraid of Madison?”
Adide countered, “Why should I be?”
“Because she’s Madison, Lycan Erasmus’s aunt, respected even by the former Lycan King. Her influence in the capital’s social circles is immense. A single word from her could destroy your reputation.”
Adide nonchntly replied, “You said I don’t care about such things. Reputation means little to me. But if she nders heroes who’ve contributed to the kingdom, even her status won’t shield her from public bacsh and media pressure.”
Prisci doubted that offending someone as powerful as Madison was wise.
Yet today’s events–retrieving the diamonds and money–seemed impossible to her, but Adide had done it effortlessly.
Unaware of Prisci’s thoughts, Adide wouldn’t have agreed it was easy.
Her sess hinged on her mate with Lance and the influential guests at their wedding.
Madison might sway the city’s elites and socialites but feared independent–minded individuals and the risk to her own reputation.
Orchestrating the theft of Alpha Lance’s mate’s wedding gifts was, after all, a despicable act.
Adide suddenly rolled down the carriage window and instructed the driver, “Head to the ‘Golden Jewelry Store.“”
Prisci had long wanted to visit the store but avoided going with Adide, feari business state.
e’d see its
poor
Despite knowing this, Adide insisted.
Before Prisci could object, Adide said, “I need to buy gifts for my mentors tomorrow. Jewelry is perfect. Spending money in your store supports you and avoids the embarrassment of unpaid wages and
rent.”
Prisci couldn’t argue–spending money in one’s own store made sense.
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