<h4>Chapter 263: Chapter 263 Imposter</h4>


    Sebastian’s pov


    I remained expressionless as Zaria rambled on.


    "So you still haven’t found her?" I asked casually.


    If they had, Zaria wouldn’t be talking about it like it was some harmless scavenger hunt.


    "Nope. Still no trace of the real one," Zaria sighed dramatically. "We’ve had a parade of wannabes, though. Mom’s about to lose her mind."


    She shot me a look. "You better watch out, yogurter. Once this green dress girl shows up, your girlfriend’s gonna have some seriouspetition."


    Zaria wasn’t just gossiping. She wasshe was picking up on Mom’s real intentions.


    I gave a wry smile. "Competition? What makes Mom think this woman would even be interested in me?"


    Zaria stared at me like I’d grown a second head. "Are you kidding me right now? Are you seriously unaware of your face? Women fall for you just by breathing the same air."


    She paused, then added with a smirk, "Well... not lesbians, obviously."


    I’d heard this kind of ttery my whole life. It never meant much.


    "I’m not interested in anyone falling at my feet," I said tly.


    Zaria grinned. "No, you just want Cecilia falling for you, right?"


    I didn’t hesitate."No. I’m the one who fell for her."


    Zaria let out a high-pitched squeal and pped both hands over her face like a teenager at a boy band concert.


    "Wait...did you actually just say that? You’re in love? Sebas, this is huge!"


    She leaned in across the couch, practically vibrating with excitement.


    "When are you bringing her home? I need to meet her. Like, yesterday."


    A genuine smile tugged at my mouth. "You will. Soon."


    For a moment, we sat there in the kind of rare silence that follows honesty. Then I tilted my head, watching her carefully.


    "So, while we’re being honest..." I said, letting the words hang. "You’ve been helping Mom with this search, haven’t you?"


    "Yes," she replied without thinking.


    The second it left her mouth, her expression froze.


    Her eyes darted toward me, guilt written all over her face."I mean, no. No, Sebas, I... it’s not like that."


    I raised an eyebrow.


    "Uh-huh." Then I smirked. "You really are a fence-sitter."


    "That’s not fair!" Zaria whined, throwing her arms up in exaggerated frustration.


    "York’s basically turned into a ghost. We were all supposed to keep Mompany, remember? But I’m the only one who actually showed up! She roped me into this...I didn’t volunteer, I swear!"


    I frowned. "York’s been holed up in his room?"


    Zaria nodded. "Yeah, Dad won’t let him go back to Italy. They got into a huge fight a couple nights ago. York started throwing things. Dad had to calm him down."


    My expression darkened. I didn’t like the sound of that.


    After a pause,I said , "You can keep helping Mom. Just make sure I’m the first to know when you find her."


    Just then, we heard footsteps on the stairs.


    York came down, yawning like he hadn’t slept in days.


    I frowned at his appearance. "Did someone pump sleeping gas into your room? You look like hell."


    York gave me a nk stare and said nothing.


    "Food’s ready! Dinner time!" Zaria chirped, hopping between us with perfect timing.


    The three of us made our way to the dining room.


    Five minutester, our father entered, with our mother right on his heels.


    "Sebastian, you must be exhausted from that business trip," Mom said, immediately slipping into full-on nurturing mode. "Let me take a look at you."


    "I’m fine," I said simply.


    "Good," she said, perking up. "You won’t believe who’sing. I’ve finally found the girl who saved me. And this time, I know I’ve got the right one."


    I looked over at Zaria, who seemed just as blindsided as I was.


    "When did this happen?" she asked. "Why am I just hearing about it now?"


    Mom scoffed. "Please. You’re always glued to your phone or hiding in your room. If I waited for your help, she’d be long gone by now."


    Apparently, one of her socialite friends had done some digging and passed along a name. The woman had answered every so-called ’verification question’ correctly, which Mom took as proof.


    There were some inconsistencies with the photo, sure, but as Mom exined it: [Everyone looks different under g lighting. That ballroom lighting makes anyone look like they belong on a magazine cover.]


    The woman turned out to be the only daughter of a jewelry magnate, and a pureblood wolf born into one of the Alpha-aligned families, affluent, refined, and deeply rooted in the elite packs.


    To Mom, that was more than enough to warrant an invitation.


    My expression tightened.


    Dad raised both hands like he wanted no part in what was about to happen. "I’m just finding out now too! Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?"


    "You weren’t home all day," Mom replied. "I only got confirmation this evening. Besides, dinner’s harmless."


    Just then, the butler stepped into the room from the foyer.


    "Mrs. Georgina has arrived, Luna. She says she’s here by your invitation."


    "Send them in," Mom said, clearly eager.


    "Yes, Luna."


    Photos could only tell you so much. A real conversation would settle things.


    Momentster, we heard footsteps approaching down the hallway.


    Zaria leaned forward, curiosity all over her face.


    York looked like he couldn’t care less, still wearing that nk, sleep-deprived expression. He didn’t even bother to sit up straighter.


    Two people entered the room.


    The first was a middle-aged woman dressed in a peach-colored suit.


    The second was a young woman in a pale green dress.


    Mom studied her. Really studied her.


    And the longer she looked, the dimmer her eyes became.


    We all saw it. The way her excitement faded. Like hope slipping through her fingers. Another dead end.


    Still, guest or not, we were raised with manners.


    Mom gave them her warmest practiced smile and gestured toward the open seats at the table.