<h4>Chapter 386: Chapter 386 Strength in Numbers</h4>


    Author’s pov


    Scarlett couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. "But why would Maggie want Cecilia dead ?"


    Luna Regina opened her mouth to answer, then hesitated.


    Afterposing herself, she said, "Actually, it’s my fault. I ran into Maggie in Denver a while back. She’s all smooth talk and crocodile tears, and I couldn’t keep up with her games. But Cecilia was with me and really gave her a piece of her mind. I suspect that’s when she developed her grudge."


    She’d deliberately chosen the most harmless exnation.


    The truth was, there were two much bigger reasons Maggie wanted Cecilia dead, but Luna Regina wasn’t about to air that dirtyundry.


    First : Cecilia’s cheating ex-husband had been sleeping with some rich girl named Cici, who turned out to be Maggie’s niece.


    Luna Regina had only recently found out about this connection. Apparently Cici had killed someone and been thrown in prison, then somehow escaped and got two cops killed in the process.


    That kind of crazy stunt had Maggie written all over it.


    The second reason was even nastier. That creepy old pervert Zane couldn’t keep his eyes off Cecilia. Luna Regina had caught him staring at Sebastian’s apartment, and Alpha Yardley admitted it wasn’t the first time.


    If Maggie figured out her husband was lusting after another woman... she’d already killed over less.


    But bringing up either of those would make Cecilia sound like a walking disaster. A divorced woman who attracted perverts and got tangled up in murder plots ? Mabel would write her offpletely.


    "That’s it ? "Scarlett’s disbelief was obvious.


    Getting into one argument and deciding tomit murder seemed pretty extreme.


    Luna Regina stuck to her story. "You didn’t see how badly Cecilia destroyed her. Maggie practically turned green when she left. "


    Scarlett blinked, halfimpressed, halfshocked. "Wow... remind me never to get on her bad side. "She tried to joke, but the unease in her tone made it fall t.


    "Wonderful, "Mabel said dryly. "So she has a sharp tongue too? "


    Her meaning was crystal clear: someone who could tear into strangers today would disrespect family tomorrow.


    Luna Regina had no response.


    Her mother’s tone made her shrink a little, the same way she had as a teenager being scolded for picking the wrong friends.


    "Cecilia is amazing !"Zaria jumped to Cecilia’s defense immediately. "She even saved Mom when she was in danger ! Don’t worry, Grandmother, our whole family adores her."


    Alpha Sebastian gave his sister an approving nce, pleased with her loyalty.


    Mabel kept her expression neutral, but inside she was fuming. This was obviously some gold-digger’s ybook ! Seduce Alpha Sebastian with her looks while ying the hero to win everyone over. How else would a nobody with zero connections have an entire family eating out of her hand ?


    Seeing Mabel’s chilly reaction, Scarlett decided to keep any supportivements to herself.


    The mood turned awkward again.


    Cecilia recognized the expression on Mabel’s face. She’d gotten that same look from Luna Dora Pure suspicion, like she was some kind of con artist just because she didn’te from money.


    Her pulse quickened, but she forced her lips into a soft, steady smile. She’d learned long ago that the best weapon against judgment wasposure.


    These society women would bend over backwards to excuse their precious debutantes’ bad behavior, but a regr person trying to make something of herself ? Obviously had to be up to something.


    The whole thing almost made herugh, but she kept her smile pleasant. "Thank you for the kind words, Zaria, but... "


    Before she could finish, Alpha Sebastian grabbed her hand. "But the real challenge is that Cecilia hasn’t fully epted me yet. I still need to prove I’m worthy of her keeping me around. "


    He gazed at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.


    The corner of his mouth lifted, yful and deliberate, as if daring her to contradict him.


    Cecilia tried to pull her hand away, but he only tightened his grip.


    Heat rushed to her cheeks. She red at him, whispering through clenched teeth, "Sebastian, stop it. "He only smiled wider, clearly enjoying her embarrassment.


    The three Lawson family members stared in shock.


    Luna Regina smiled awkwardly.


    Cecilia’s cheeks turned red. When Alpha Sebastian decided to be shameless, he really went all out.


    "Alright, let’s move on,"Mabel said, clearly rattled by having her assumptions proven wrong.


    She was sure her grandson had to be under some kind of spell.


    Luna Regina could see her mother was still upset. "Mom, what happened with Daisy really isn’t Cecilia’s fault. Look, we’re lucky we caught this when we did. Someone nted a bomb in our family. Sure, they were targeting Cecilia, but the real goal was obviously to hurt all of us."


    "She’s right,"Julian agreed. "They either wanted to destroy our alliance with the Coles or use us to get to the cks. Daisy only became a target because she married into our family."


    "This isn’t on us !"Luna Regina said with conviction. "The only criminal here is that psycho bitch ! I’m going to expose her at Martha’s birthday party."


    "Regina, don’t do anything crazy,"Julian warned. "Sebastian and I already have a n."


    Alpha Sebastian nodded. "Just act normal at the party. Don’t let on that you know anything."


    His look said it all : the best way to help is to stay out of it.


    Luna Regina sighed. "Okay, okay. But Cecilia ising with us. There’s safety in numbers, and that bitch won’t try anything with witnesses around."


    "I really can’t go,"Cecilia said quickly. Getting mixed up in Locke family drama was thest thing she needed.


    "Don’t be scared ! We’ll all be right there with you,"Luna Regina pushed. What she really wanted was to introduce Cecilia as Sebastian’s girlfriend before anyone could try ying matchmaker.


    "I seriously don’t think that’s a good idea !"Cecilia was almost desperate now.


    She looked at Sebastian pleadingly.


    Alpha Sebastian knew exactly what his mother was nning. "I think you shoulde. If I don’t bring my girlfriend to big social events, it looks like I’m not serious about us."


    Luna Regina nodded eagerly. "See ? You’re Sebastian’s girlfriend now. Leaving you behind would be insulting."