<h4>Chapter 67: Chapter 67 The Comfort of Being Protected</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    Early one morning, I rose from bed and stepped onto the balcony , stretching as I gazed out at the ocean view.


    I hadn’t checked anyments or social media since posting the video. My phone remained turned off and buried in my bag.


    But I could anticipate the oue.


    The inte was a ce where once you cunderstood the rules of the game, your opponents could y by those same rules. In the end, truth and lies became intertwined, reality obscured by fog.


    I’d driven all night two days ago, arriving at my grandmother’s home by morning. After eating something, I’d slept for an entire day.


    Only this morning did I finally feel like myself again.


    My grandmother lived in a fishing vige, with the sea right outside her door. My parents had been staying here for several days—my father was out fishing with my uncle, while my mother was helping grandmother dry fish in the sun.


    I stretched on the second-floor balcony, my muscles aching pleasantly from my morning workout. From up here, I could see my mother and grandmother by the fish-drying racks. Their conversation had turned serious—Mom’s eyes reddened while Grandma’s expression grew stern. Whatever they were discussing had upset them both.


    I headed downstairs, linking my arms through theirs as I joined them.


    "Let me cook lunch today," I announced cheerfully. "I learned this amazing beef recipe from a chef in Denver."


    Mom cupped my face in her hands. "Of course, let’s taste your cooking."


    Grandma yfully pinched my nose, her weathered hands gentle despite decades of hard work. "You little glutton, always experimenting with food. You’ll turn into a plump if you’re not careful."


    "Being plump would be perfect," Iughed. "I’d be cute enough to stay here forever with you."


    "As if you don’t already cling enough," Grandma chuckled. "When you were little, your parents woulde to take you home, and we’d have to coax you for hours to leave. "


    At lunch, I prepared a feast with the seafood Dad and Uncle brought back from their fishing trip. When we were nearly finished eating, I decided it was time to address the elephant in the room.


    "I’m getting divorced," I announced, keeping my voice steady. "When I go back, we’ll finalize the paperwork."


    I looked at each of their concerned faces. "The divorce was my idea. I don’t want to continue this marriage. And don’t worry about me being bullied—I’d never allow that. Anyone who tries to hurt me will get tenfold in return."


    I spoke casually, as if discussing something as trivial as the weather.


    My family responded exactly as expected—saying they supported whatever made me happy, whatever decision I made.


    ...


    After spending three days in the fishing vige, it was time to return. Alpha Sebastian had only given me five days off—days I’d practically begged for. If I stayed any longer, he might actually fire me.


    I needed to return to Denver, but I convinced my parents to stay a few more days until everything with Xavier waspletely resolved.


    Before leaving, I turned on my phone to check the current state of the online debate. I hadn’t won, but neither had they. It was the oue I’d expected.


    Still, they’d suffered more damage than I had—they represented the Blood Moon and Shadow Packs. I only represented myself.


    Scrolling through my messages, I ignored the fake concern from people just fishing for gossip.


    But when I saw a message from Jasmine, my former team leader from Project Group Three, I paused. It had been sent three days ago.


    The message exined that the joint project between Blood Moon Pack and Shadow Pack was in crisis—Shadow Pack’s loan had been frozen by Silver Peak Bank.


    Silver Peak... my heart skipped a beat.


    I immediately called Jasmine. "Please tell me more about what’s happening with the project."


    Jasmine ducked into a stairwell to speak privately. "Shadow Pack says it was the Silver Peak CEO’s direct order. He cited concerns about the public scandal affecting the project and creating loan repayment risks. They’re conducting a new evaluation."


    "Incredible indeed," I agreed, my voice faint.


    After a moment, I asked, "So the project is really canceled?"


    "Alpha Gavin has been sitting in the CEO’s office every day. People are saying they don’t know if he’s there to discuss his sister or the project. They’ve gone to Silver Peak headquarters twice together, but Alpha Sebastian refuses to meet with them."


    My heart raced faster.


    So Alpha Sebastian had stood up for me immediately.


    Not only had he made the Blood Moon Pack and Shadow Packs suffer in the moment, but he was ensuring their difort would continue.


    I could imagine how Luna Dora must have been berated, and how Cici’s family probably wanted to lock Cici away right now.


    Business is all about profits. The Shadow Pack family threatened with the project, and Xavier knew it was just a threat—all talk. But Alpha Sebastian freezing their loan was concrete action, not a joke.


    After hanging up, I stood in the yard for a long time. Under the clear sky, the endless blue sea stretched into the distance.


    The sun shone brilliantly, and the clouds floated by gently...


    I had to admit, being protected like this felt... really good.


    ...


    The drive from the vige to Denver would take seven hours. By my calction, I’d arrive around eight in the evening.


    My mood remained bright the entire journey.


    My chest feltpletely unburdened. I swore to myself that I would serve Silver Peak with absolute dedication.


    At seven in the evening, I emerged from a rest stop bathroom. Walking back to the parking lot, I noticed a man standing on the grass nearby, talking on his phone.


    There was something familiar about him ...


    I realized I’d seen him at the first rest stop too. Actually, even before that—three days ago,te at night, when I stopped at a convenience store to buy food, this same man had been there!


    A knot of tension formed in my chest.


    Slipping my hand into my coat pocket, I kept my expression neutral as I calmly got into my car.


    Instead of driving away immediately, I locked the doors, put on my sleep mask, and reclined my seat as if settling in for a nap. I left arge gap under the mask that gave me a clear view of the area in front.


    The man now stood by the roadside smoking. He appeared to be in his thirties, of average height with tanned skin, wearing a T-shirt under a jacket with jeans—the type of unremarkable appearance that wouldn’t stand out in a crowd.


    He continued his phone conversation,ughing and smiling, but his eyes asionally darted in my direction.


    I kept my breathing steady, my mind racing through options. As a human among wolves, I’d learned to be cautious. But now I was facing an unknown threat, potentially sent by one of my enemies.


    Who was watching me?