Chapter 201 Too Much of a Coincidence
Finished
“Enough,” I couldn’t listen to this any longer, my voice cold as I interrupted Heidi. “Don’t mention her again.”
“Oh. Caden, if you don’t want to hear about her, I won’t bring it up,” Heidi replied, her tone apologetic.
She glanced down at the glass shards on the floor and, with a considerate expression, offered, “Caden, let me clean this up for you.”
“No need. The cleaning staff will handle it later,” I responded indifferently.
“Let me do it. If you accidentally step on it, it could hurt. I’d feel bad,” Heidi insisted.
As she spoke, she crouched down and began picking up the glass pieces.
Unable to stop her, I leaned back in my chair.
Thoughts of the online discussions earlier made me feel uneasy.
I took out my phone, instinctively opened my contacts, and scrolled until I found Rosaline’s number.
Staring at the name Rosaline, I hesitated for a while and tapped the screen with mixed emotions.
However, the call went straight to voicemail.
“Sh*t!” I muttered under my breath, slamming the phone down onto the desk.
Heidi was startled. She looked up at me and asked, “Caden, are you okay?”
I snapped back to reality and replied, “I’m fine.”
“All done,” Heidi said, standing up and tossing the glass shards into the trash.
Just then, her phone rang.
“Caden, sorry, I need to take this call,” Heidi said apologetically.
I nodded, indifferent.
Heidi answered the phone. “Boss, can I have the night off?”
“No!” the bar owner’s sharp voice came through the receiver.
My hearing was acute, and I raised an eyebrow.
Heidi bit her lip and said cautiously, “But I got hurt today. I have a bandage on my knee and can’t perform tonight.”
“Then I’ll deduct double from your pay!” the bar owner retorted coldly.
Heidi pleaded pitifully, “Boss, please make an exception. I’m injured, and I need the money. Please don’t deduct my pay, okay?”
“Heidi, do you think I’m a charity? If everyone took time off like you, would this bar even run?” The bar
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ས 78%°
Finished
“I understand, boss. I’ll be there tonight, Heidi said, lowering her head; her eyes turned red.
She hung up the phone and looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears. She said pitifully, “Caden, I have to go. I still have to work at the bar tonight.”
I frowned and asked, “Didn’t you get hurt?”
“It’s okay. I can wear a long dress so the customers won’t see my bandaged knee,” Heidi said, her voice quivering with a hint of tears, though she tried to sound strong.
I said firmly, “No need to go. Tessa, you should quit.”
“How is that possible? This job is important to me. I still need to earn money to pay you back,” Heidi shook her head, trying to appear strong and independent.
I sighed. “Tessa, I’ve told you before. I don’t need you to pay me back.”
“But I don’t like owing you,” Heidi lowered her head and said, “Caden, I’m afraid you’ll look down on me.”
“How could I?” I thought for a moment and then said, “Tessa, how about this? Come work for Eclipse Group.
“Really?” Heidi looked up quickly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Her reaction amused me, and I nodded with certainty. “Of course.”
Rosaline’s POV:
At the airport, Yura and I boarded the fastest flight to Northrend.
Just as I was about to turn off my phone, I received a call from Jasper.
“Rosaline, I went to your apartment earlier, but you weren’t there,” Jasper’s deep voice came through the phone.
“Yeah. I’m at the airport with Yura,” I replied.
Jasper sounded surprised, “The airport? Where are you going?”
“I have some important matters to attend to,” I paused, then added, “By the way, there are a lot of rumors about us online. You need to figure something out and get rid of it.”
“I’ll handle it,” Jasper said gruffly. “Rosaline, have you considered my suggestion? Revealing your true identity might be the best solution right now.”
I rubbed my temples. “Let’s talk about it when I get back.”
The plane took off, soaring into the sky.
Looking out the window, my thoughts drifted.
I don’t like flying because I’m afraid of heights.
The last time I flew was with Caden.
Those memories came flooding back. uninvited.
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“I understand, boss. I’ll be there tonight,” Heidi said, lowering her head; her eyes turned red.
ས 78%Ė
Finished
She hung up the phone and looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears. She said pitifully, “Caden, I have to go. I still have to work at the bar tonight.”
I frowned and asked, “Didn’t you get hurt?”
“It’s okay. I can wear a long dress so the customers won’t see my bandaged knee,” Heidi said, her voice quivering with a hint of tears, though she tried to sound strong.
I said firmly, “No need to go. Tessa, you should quit.”
“How is that possible? This job is important to me. I still need to earn money to pay you back,” Heidi shook her head, trying to appear strong and independent.
I sighed. “Tessa, I’ve told you before. I don’t need you to pay me back.”
“But I don’t like owing you,” Heidi lowered her head and said, “Caden, I’m afraid you’ll look down on me.”
“How could I?” I thought for a moment and then said, “Tessa, how about this? Come work for Eclipse Group.”
“Really?” Heidi looked up quickly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Her reaction amused me, and I nodded with certainty. “Of course.”
Rosaline’s POV:
At the airport, Yura and I boarded the fastest flight to Northrend.
Just as I was about to turn off my phone, I received a call from Jasper.
“Rosaline, I went to your apartment earlier, but you weren’t there,” Jasper’s deep voice came through the phone.
“Yeah. I’m at the airport with Yura,” I replied.
Jasper sounded surprised, “The airport? Where are you going?”
“I have some important matters to attend to,” I paused, then added, “By the way, there are a lot of rumors about us online. You need to figure something out and get rid of it.”
“I’ll handle it,” Jasper said gruffly. “Rosaline, have you considered my suggestion? Revealing your true identity might be the best solution right now.”
I rubbed my temples. “Let’s talk about it when I get back.”
The plane took off, soaring into the sky.
Looking out the window, my thoughts drifted.
I don’t like flying because I’m afraid of heights.
The last time I flew was with Caden.
Those memories came flooding back. uninvited.
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“I understand, boss. I’ll be there tonight, Heidi said, lowering her head; her eyes turned red
78%
Finished
She hung up the phone and looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears. She said pitifully, “Caden, I have to go. I still have to work at the bar tonight.”
I frowned and asked, “Didn’t you get hurt?”
“It’s okay. I can wear a long dress so the customers won’t see my bandaged knee, Heidi said, her voice quivering with a hint of tears, though she tried to sound strong
I said firmly, “No need to go. Tessa, you should quit.”
“How is that possible? This job is important to me. I still need to earn money to pay you back, Heidi shook her head, trying to appear strong and independent.
I sighed. “Tessa, I’ve told you before. I don’t need you to pay me back.”
“But I don’t like owing you, Heidi lowered her head and said, “Caden, I’m afraid you’ll look down on me
“How could I?” I thought for a moment and then said, “Tessa, how about this? Come work for Eclipse Group.
“Really?” Heidi looked up quickly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Her reaction amused me, and I nodded with certainty. “Of course.”
Rosaline’s POV:
At the airport, Yura and I boarded the fastest flight to Northrend.
Just as I was about to turn off my phone, I received a call from Jasper.
“Rosaline, I went to your apartment earlier, but you weren’t there,” Jasper’s deep voice came through the phone.
“Yeah. I’m at the airport with Yura,” I replied.
Jasper sounded surprised, “The airport? Where are you going?”
“I have some important matters to attend to,” I paused, then added, “By the way, there are a lot of rumors about us online. You need to figure something out and get rid of it.”
“I’ll handle it,” Jasper said gruffly. “Rosaline, have you considered my suggestion? Revealing your true identity might be the best solution right now.”
I rubbed my temples. “Let’s talk about it when I get back.”
The plane took off, soaring into the sky.
Looking out the window, my thoughts drifted.
I don’t like flying because I’m afraid of heights.
The last time I flew was with Caden.
Those memories came flooding back. uninvited.
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The plane crash, Caden holding me as we parachuted.
It was then that I truly realized my feelings for Caden.
Thinking back now, it feels like a lifetime ago.
It was rather ironic.
I gave Caden all my love, but he was wholeheartedly in love with another woman.
“Rosaline, what are you thinking about?” Yura’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I snapped back to reality, glanced at Yura, and said softly, “Nothing.”
“You’re thinking about Caden, aren’t you?” Yura said sharply. “You can’t let go.”
I was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”
Chapter 202 She Might Be a Fake
“Intuition,” Yura said with a small sip of her juice, offering me a knowing smile.
Yura and I had known each other for many years. She understood me better than anyone.
I fell into silence for a moment before I quietly spoke, “I don’t know.”
My mind was in turmoil.
Even though I had decisively called off the engagement with Caden, there were still times when I couldn’t help but think about him.
“Stop fooling yourself,” Yura said, giving my shoulder a light pat. “I can tell you still have feelings for en, and he feels the same way.”
He feels the same way?
How could that be?
I frowned slightly and asked broodingly, “Yura, stop joking around. You must know that Caden’s the one who likes Tessa, right?”
“I know,” Yura replied. “You’re upset about it; that’s why you directly canceled the engagement.”
Yura set her juice down and looked at me seriously. “You’re a perfectionist, especially when it comes to relationships. You can’t tolerate even the smallest flaw. But have you ever thought that all of this is just too much of a coincidence?”
“Coincidence?” I furrowed my brows.
“Yes,” Yura nodded. She pursed her lips and asked, “Let me ask you–when did Tessa first show up?”
“The day I was engaged to Caden,” I replied thoughtfully.
“So before that, did Tessa even exist?” Yura raised a brow and added, “I saw on the entertainment websites that Tessa was a singer at Chroma Lounge; her stage name is Angel.”
“Yes, I saw her there before, at Nathan’s birthday party.” I nodded, finally understanding Yura’s point.
“That’s strange. You told me that Caden had been searching for Tessa for years but couldn’t find any trace of her. And not long ago, you had Anthony look into it, but nothing came up.”
Yura pointed at me and said, “Think about it. Tessa is just a bar singer. How could even Anthony not find her? It’s one thing if others couldn’t find her, but Anthony is one of the best hackers in the world–his skills are unmatched. You know that.”
I nodded in agreement. “You’re right. I’ve overlooked some things.”
“Rosaline, you’re too close to the situation. You called off the engagement impulsively, and that gave Tessa the chance to slip in,” Yura huffed. “I even suspect that Tessa might be fake.”
“Fake?” I was taken aback.
I thought back to this morning at the Eclipse Group.
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* 78%
Tessa had played the role of the b*tch so perfectly–she didn’t resemble the kind, sweet girl Caden described at all.
There was something off about this.
I rubbed my temples. “But Caden shouldn’t have mistaken her.”
Since Caden was so sure that Heidi was Tessa, it must have been true.
But where did things go wrong?
Finished
Yura seemed unconcerned. “Why wouldn’t he? Didn’t you once say that Caden mistook you for Tessa before? So it’s not impossible for him to mistake someone else. And why did Tessa show up just on your engagement day? It’s way too coincidental that she appears and ruins the ceremony.”
It really was a huge coincidence.
I thought about it for a moment and said, “I’ll look into it when I get back. But for now, let’s not talk about this. My biggest wish right now is to find Hughie and help Mr. Richard get better.”
“Rosaline, you have to look into this carefully. It’s rare to find someone you love–don’t give up so easily,” Yura said, her voice gentle.
After a long journey, Yura and I finally arrived in Northrend.
It was a vast, snowy mountain range in the northern part of the Werewolf Continent, blanketed in snow as far as the eye could see.
“Rosaline, are you sure Hughie is here?” Yura asked, shivering from the cold as she looked at the towering snow–capped mountains.
“If my intuition is right,” I began, rubbing my hands together and exhaled hot air, “I remember him saying that the place he wanted to live most was Northrend.”
“Alright, intuition … ” Yura sighed, a little resigned.
I glanced at Yura, who was nearly frozen, and suggested, “How about we ask around first?”
“Okay,” Yura nodded, scanning the area.
At the foot of the snow–capped mountains, there was a small town with a few scattered werewolf cottages.
We walked over and tentatively knocked on one of the doors. “Is anyone home?”
The door opened to reveal a middle–aged she–wolf, who curiously eyed us. “Who are you looking for?”
“Is there a place called Keardes Hill around here?” I asked.
I remembered Hughie once saying that if he ever settled in Northrend, he’d choose to live in Keardes Hill because it was where his loved one was.
Verda McDaniel nodded and pointed in the distance. “It’s up there, on that peak.”
Keardes Hill really does exist!
Chapter 203 The Avalanche
༥ . 77%L
Finished
A wave of excitement surged in my chest. “Is it far from here? If we leave now, when will we get there?”
Verda looked at us with suspicion. “In this freezing weather, why are you heading up to Keardes Hill?”
“We need to find someone,” I answered with a smile.
“Find someone? Are you looking for the wonder doctor, Dr. Watts?” Verda’s eyes widened in realization.
Dr. Watts!
My heart raced. A wonder doctor with the same surname, it had to be Hughie!
“Yes, yes, that’s right.” I nodded eagerly. “Could you please tell me how to find Dr. Watts?”
“Sweetheart, come inside; it’s too cold out here,” Verda invited us into her house.
Inside, the room was cozy. Yura and I quickly sipped large mugs of drink to warm up.
“Thank you. Can you tell us more about Dr. Watts?” I asked.
Verda paused for a moment before answering, “Well, Dr. Watts is a bit of an odd one. For some reason, he insists on living at Keardes Hill. But he’s a good man. When the weather is nice, he often comes down to the town. If anyone’s sick, he’ll help them, and he’s a very skilled doctor.”
Yura and I exchanged a look. It must be him, we both thought.
Verda looked puzzled. “How do you know about Dr. Watts? He’s got a strange temper and doesn’t like anyone talking about him.”
“My grandfather was friends with him,” I replied honestly.
“I see,” Verda nodded. “Well, it’s been snowing in the mountains these past few days, so Dr. Watts won’t be coming down. You should stay in the town for a few days, wait for the weather to clear up, and then go find him.”
“I want to go right now.” Now that I had news of Hughie, I couldn’t wait another moment.
Even if I could wait, Richard’s illness couldn’t.
The sooner we found Hughie, the sooner Richard would wake up.
“No, no. Even if you turn into wolves, it’s still dangerous to go in this snow,” Verda shook her head, disagreeing.
“Yura, you stay here. I’ll go up alone,” I said.
“Rosaline, she’s right. Even if you’re capable, I can’t let you go up alone in this weather.” Yura grabbed my
arm with worry. “Maybe we should wait and see. The snow might stop tomorrow.”
“Mr. Richard can’t wait.” I spoke firmly. “Yura, you know my temper.”
“But-”
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Chapter 203 The Avalanche
come back, you’ll have to send someone to find me.”
Yura let go of my arm, no longer insisting.
“Wait for my good news.” I
, then handed myself over to Freya.
ས ཛཱ,77%°
Finished
I transformed into a silver wolf and ran into the blizzard, climbing the snow–covered mountain.
Freya and I moved as one, following the path Verda had pointed out, racing up the mountain.
She was excited. Despite the snow hitting her face, she moved effortlessly, leaping and sprinting across the thick, snow–covered ground.
I urged her on, focused solely on reaching Keardes Hill and finding Hughie as quickly as possible.
Freya had no complaints, speeding up with every step, pushing her Alpha abilities to their limits.
Halfway up the mountain, a strong wind suddenly howled, and the sky darkened, as if more snow was about to fall.
Freya wasn’t bothered. Her strong body and limbs kept her running, effortlessly cutting through the thick
snow.
But soon, heavy snowflakes began to fall, and Freya’s speed slowed.
Even someone as strong as Freya couldn’t see clearly through the blizzard.
This cursed weather.
Freya howled long and loud, then jumped up onto a large tree.
The wind picked up, swirling snowflakes everywhere, and it blew so hard that Freya could barely keep her
eyes open.
Ahead of us, thick snow on the mountain peak looked like it could collapse at any moment.
“Alpha, we can’t go on. I can’t see the path anymore.”
I regretted not listening to Verda’s advice. The weather was worse than I’d expected, and rushing up the mountain had been a mistake.
The sky was nearly black with the storm raging, and it was clear that continuing wasn’t safe.
I thought for a moment, then decided to give up. I told Freya we should turn back.
No matter how strong she was, we couldn’t fight nature. I planned to arrange a helicopter for the next day to go up the mountain instead. That seemed like a better option.
Who knew when this storm would end?
Freya agreed, and as I instructed her to jump down from the tree, preparing to head back, a loud rumble echoed from far away.
It sounded like thunder, but it wasn’t.
Freva looked toward the sound, and there, on the opposite mountaintop, thick snow was tumbling toward
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us!
Crap! It’s an avalanche!
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Without needing me to urge it, Freya darted off in another direction.
I knew exactly what it was planning because there was a cave in that direction.
Maybe we could hide in there for a while.
77%
Finished
Before Freya squeezed into the cave, I had it stop for a moment, using its claws to scratch a few marks on a nearby tree.
I was worried that if the snow blocked the cave’s entrance, it could flood the whole place.
So, I had to leave a signal for help.
Freya scratched a few more trees before dashing into the cave.
Just a few seconds later, a heavy snowfall rushed down the mountain, sealing the entrance.
Everything went pitch black.
Caden’s POV:
As night deepened, I was still working late in my office.
For some reason, my mood was unsettled, a feeling of unease that I’d never had before.
I paused my work and called Leslie. “Hello Leslie, how is Grandpa?”
Leslie’s respectful voice came through the phone, “Mr. Caden, Alpha is fine. Dr. Williamson just checked his room, and everything looks normal.”
Grandpa is fine.
Then where is this unease coming from?
After hanging up with Leslie, the feeling didn’t fade. If anything, it grew stronger.
I loosened my tie, sank back into the sofa, and closed my eyes to rest.
As soon as I closed my eyes, Rosaline’s graceful figure unexpectedly appeared in my mind.
The thought of Rosaline moving into Jasper’s house made me feel awful.
I pulled out my phone, noticing that there were far fewer gossip stories about Rosaline and Jasper now.
It was obvious that Starplay Entertainment had had them removed.
Hmph. If she isn’t guilty, why would she have someone take them down?
I remembered when Rosaline was falsely accused of pushing Stella into water, and despite being smeared so terribly, she remained calm and unfazed.
Is Rosaline with Jasper now?
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Chapter 204 Just Give It a Go
over.
སོ . 77%E
Finished
The large office was dark, except for a dim light in the corner.
My heart thumped ferociously.
That dim light was at Rosaline’s desk.
After Rosaline handed me her resignation earlier that day, she had left. Over the past few days, whenever I’d passed by the secretariat, her seat had always been empty.
Has she come back?
Unable to resist, I stepped into the light.
There, sitting at the desk, was a girl in a red dress, her head lowered.
I looked down from above, only seeing the top of her head.
Is it Rosaline?
Has she come back?
I held my breath, softly calling, “Rosaline.”
The girl at the desk raised her head, speaking gently, “Caden?”
It was Tessa, not Rosaline.
I felt a pang of disappointment and asked quietly, “Tessa, why are you here? It’s so late–what are you doing?”
Tessa stood up and smiled at me. “Caden, I just joined the company. I don’t know much, so I need to learn. I don’t want people to gossip, and I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“It’s late; you should head home and rest.” I glanced at her and advised.
Tessa lowered her eyes. “What about you? Why haven’t you gone home yet? Earlier, you mistook me for Ms. Sinclair. Are you still thinking about her?”
“No, it’s just that this is Rosaline’s seat, and I thought it was her.” I turned away, pretending I didn’t care.
“I see.” Tessa took a sip from her cup. “I saw online that Rosaline and Jasper are living together now. Caden, you should stop thinking about her.”
I frowned. “Tessa, I’ll take you home.”
Later, I drove Tessa to an old neighborhood.
I hadn’t expected her to live in such a modest place, so I decided to find her a new home.
“Tessa, I’ll have someone find you a new place tomorrow,” I said.
Tessa looked down, speaking softly, “No, Caden, I’m fine here.”
I knew this was her character so I didn’t press the issue I simply opened the car door for her to get out
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ས% 77%སྦེ
Finished
I would arrange a better place for her; after all, she had saved me years ago.
“Caden, come inside and have a coffee,” Tessa pursed her lips, speaking gently.
“No, it’s late. You should get some rest,” I refused, my voice calm.
For some reason, Rosaline’s face flashed in my mind.
Tessa didn’t react to my refusal, still smiling brightly. “Okay, you should get some rest too. Thanks for bringing me home. Goodnight.”
I watched Tessa walk up the stairs before returning to my car and turning to leave.
As I drove, I realized that I wasn’t heading back home, but I was on my way to Elderwood.
I sighed at my own subconscious actions.
The gossip magazines had snapped photos in Elderwood.
I knew Jasper had bought an apartment here, on the 18th floor.
Since I was already here, I parked the car below and looked up at the 18th–floor windows.
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Chapter 205 They Don’t Live Together
The lights are on in Jasper’s apartment.
Rosaline must be inside right now, right?
I sat in the car, feeling agitated as I lit a cigarette.
The smoke curled around me, matching the mess of my thoughts.
Finished
I angrily snuffed the cigarette out, opened the car door, and walked through the gates of Elderwood. I took the elevator straight up to the 18th floor.
As I rang the doorbell, the door opened; it was Jasper who stood there.
The moment I saw him, my mood sank even further.
So, Rosaline really is living with Jasper?
“What are you doing here, Caden?” Jasper furrowed his brow as he looked at me.
I coldly asked, “Is it true what the news said? Are you and Rosaline living together?*
“That’s none of your business,” Jasper sneered coldly.
I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed his shirt at the chest. “Where’s Rosaline? Tell her to come see me!”
But I didn’t want to wait anymore; I need to hear it from her.
Jasper met my angry gaze, his voice icy as he spoke, “What right do you have to see her? You’ve already got Tessa. Why are you still pestering Rosaline? Don’t forget, your engagement with her was broken off. Even if everything the news said is true, what does it matter? You can’t do anything about it.”
I punched him square in the face.
Jasper stumbled back, and I took the opportunity to push him aside and walk into the apartment.
“Rosaline, come out!” I called out, my face hard as I looked around, but there was no sign of her.
Jasper wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gave me a cold look. “Mr. Caden, you’ve illegally entered my home. Should I call the police?”
I ignored him and asked again, “Where’s Rosaline?!”
“She’s not here,” Jasper said, unfazed, his voice dismissive. “Caden, you need to leave.”
He opened the door and shoved me out.
To my surprise, the anger inside me suddenly faded.
I was still mad, but I suddenly realized that if Rosaline wasn’t there, maybe that meant they weren’t actually living together.
Yura’s POV:
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<37730
Finished
“Ms. Nadine, you’re up so early,” Verda yawned, heading toward the kitchen. I’ll make breakfast. You can sleep a little longer; it’s still early.”
“I won’t be sleeping.” I shook my head and opened the door, letting the heavy snowstorm sweep inside.
“It snowed heavily last night.” I looked toward the forest, anxiety creeping into my voice. “I wonder if Rosaline found Dr. Watts.”
If everything went well, Rosaline should be back today, but with snow this heavy, I was deeply concerned.
Verda was about to speak when several werewolves rushed over, their faces tense. “Bad news, there’s been an avalanche in the mountains!”
“What?!” I gasped, instinctively asking, “An avalanche?”
“Yeah! Verda, no one from your house went into the mountains, right?” one of the werewolves asked Verda.
“My friend went into the mountains yesterday afternoon!” I hurriedly inquired, “She was headed toward Keardes Hill.”
“That’s bad. That’s where the avalanche happened,” they all exchanged worried looks.
Everyone knew that encountering an avalanche in the mountains was almost certainly fatal.
My heart dropped.
Rosaline is in danger!
“Call the police! Hurry up and call the police!” My panic surged, and I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.
Shaking hands, I dialed the emergency number.
Nearby, a few men shook their heads, their tone full of regret, “Calling the police won’t help. If it’s an avalanche, even an Alpha might not survive.”
I shouted at him, “No! Stop talking nonsense! Rosaline will be fine!”
Everyone around me was startled by my reaction.
The search party responded to my call quickly.
But the snowstorm was ferocious.
The captain looked at the raging storm, his face cold as he spoke to me. “I’m sorry, Ms. Nadine, but with the weather like this, it’s impossible to carry out a proper search and rescue.”
“But my friend is in danger! I have to find her as soon as possible!” I said urgently.
“I understand how you feel, but I must prioritize the safety of the team,” the captain said, his voice heavy. “The blizzard hasn’t stopped, and a second avalanche could happen at any time.”
I understood the reasoning, but how could I stand by and do nothing while Rosaline was in danger?
Moreover, I didn’t even know if she was alive or dead right now.
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Frantic, I thought for a moment before dialing Caden’s number.
X377%8
Finished
Though Rosaline had once said she didn’t want Caden to know about this because she didn’t want him to feel like he owed her anything, in this life–or–death s
Chapter 206 I Will Save Rosaline
Caden’s POV:
Eclipse Group, CEO’s Office.
I was focused on my work when Heidi suddenly pushed the door open and walked in.
“Tessa, is something wrong?” I looked up slightly and asked in a calm voice.
Finished
Heidi, holding a file, walked up to me. Her voice was soft as she spoke. “Caden, there are some parts of this document I don’t understand. Could you help me?”
I glanced at the file in her hands. “Tessa, this document is too professional. Since you just started, you should look at something simpler first.”
Heidi bit her lip and said, “I want to learn more, as much as I can, and as quickly as possible.”
“Alright,” I said, thinking for a moment. “I’ll ask Yale to assign you a senior to guide you. You can ask her any questions you have from now on.”
“Oh.” Heidi seemed a bit disappointed, but after a brief pause, she spoke softly. “Then I’ll leave you to your work. I don’t want to bother you.”
“Mm.” I replied with a short, noncommittal sound.
Heidi turned to leave, but then I suddenly remembered something. I called out to her. “Tessa.”
She stopped and turned around, her face lighting up with surprise. “Is there something else?”
I stood up, a small smile on my lips. “I’ve arranged for someone to help you find a new apartment. After work, my staff will take you there to check it out and see if you like it.”
A big smile spread across Heidi’s face. She quickly ran over and grabbed my arm, her voice carrying a hint of shyness. “Caden, you’re so kind to me.”
As I nodded indifferently, just as I did, my phone rang.
I pulled my arm away from Heidi’s and answered the call.
The number was unfamiliar. I assumed it was just a spam call, so I didn’t answer it.
But the phone kept ringing, and it seemed like the caller wasn’t going to stop until I picked up.
After a few rings, I began to feel curious and answered the call.
The voice on the other end sounded somewhat familiar, filled with panic. “Is this Caden Holbrook from Eclipse Pack?”
“It is,” I responded in a deep, steady voice.
The caller’s voice became choked with emotion. “It’s Yura. Something’s happened to Rosaline!”
“What?!” My heart jolted. “What happened to Rosaline?”
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An avalanche?
Finished
My mind raced, and a string of questions burst out of me. “An avalanche? How? Where are you? Where’s Rosaline?”
How could Rosaline have been caught in an avalanche?
Yura paused for a few seconds, gathering herself before answering. “Here’s what happened: Rosaline went with me to the Northrend to find Dr. Watts for Mr. Richard’s treatment. She went into the mountains by herself to look for Dr. Watts, but…
“But what?” I urged, unable to contain my worry.
“But the weather there is terrible, and not long after Rosaline entered the mountains, a snowstorm began. This morning, I heard that an avalanche hit the area. I’ve lost contact with her, and the area where the avalanche occurred is the exact path Rosaline needed to take to find Dr. Watts. She must be in trouble, or else we would have heard from her by now.”
I gripped my phone tightly, my fingers slowly tightening around it.
My heart began to ache with worry.
Rosaline traveled so far to find Dr. Watts to cure grandpa. She even entered the deep mountains by herself, and now she’s caught in an avalanche.
Why did she act like a fool?
I also thought back to the time when Rosaline came to the hospital to visit grandpa, only for me to cruelly send her away. The memory twisted my heart, pulling at it painfully.
“I’ll bring people over immediately.” After a few seconds of thought, I spoke coldly. “Yura, listen to me. I’ll contact the local Search Party right away. You need to go with them into the mountains to look for Rosaline. Once I arrive, we’ll meet up.”
“I’ve already contacted a Search Party, but the storm hasn’t stopped, and the conditions are too harsh. The Search Party can’t even go in to search yet,” Yura said helplessly.
“Tell them to find a way in!” I said sternly, with a tone that left no room for argument.
Yura agreed. “I’ll try to convince them again.”
After a brief pause, Yura raised her voice slightly. “Caden, you have to save Rosaline. You must save her!”
“I will,” I replied without hesitation.
I ended the call and sat back in my chair, frowning as I quickly processed everything.
Worry and tension were natural, but I couldn’t fully believe that Rosaline could have gotten into something as dangerous as an avalanche.
Isn’t she supposed to be with Jasper?
Why did she suddenly go to the Northrend?
Even if Dr. Watts was truly there, why didn’t she tell me? I could have sent someone to help.
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ས 377%ཎྛ
Finished
“Tessa, you should head back now,” I said, pulling my thoughts back to the present and glancing at Tessa, who was still standing beside me. “I have to leave for a few days. There’s something I need to take care of.”
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Heidi’s POV:
Caden looks so nervous. Is it because of Rosaline again?
My smile instantly freezes on my face.
I overheard Caden’s conversation with Yura, and I heard everything clearly.
When I heard that Rosaline was in danger, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.
Finished
Rosaline had gone off alone to Northrend to seek treatment for Mr. Richard, and now she was caught in an avalanche.
An avalanche–how dangerous that is!
Maybe, by now, Rosaline has already been buried under the snow, a cold, lifeless body.
If that is the case, it would be so wonderful.
But the moment I saw Caden’s concern for Rosaline, my mood plummeted.
That Omega b*tch must be trying to find Dr. Watts to cure Mr. Richard, hoping to earn Caden’s favor and win him back.
Thankfully, the Moon Goddess seems to have answered my prayers and sent her into that avalanche!
With that thought, I quickly grabbed Caden’s arm, pretending to be worried. I asked, “Caden, what’s
“Rosaline is in danger. I need to go save her.” Caden spoke with a firm tone.
“I’ll go with you!” I followed closely behind him.
ong?”
I wasn’t going there to save her. At this point, Rosaline was probably buried in the snow, but what if Caden really does save her?
And I can’t let that happen.
Caden paused his steps and frowned. “Tessa, it’s too dangerous there. You should stay behind.”
“But I’m worried about you.” I stubbornly pressed, playing the emotional card. “Caden, don’t you
remember? We were kidnapped together once. We promised to stick together through thick and thin. How can I let you go alone to such a dangerous place?”
Mentioning the past, Caden had no excuse to refuse me.
He looked at me deeply, sighed, and finally agreed, “Alright, you can come, but it’s really dangerous. You need to be careful.”
I immediately smiled brightly and linked my arm through his. “As long as I have you protecting me, I’m not afraid of anything!”
“Let’s go!” Caden’s urgent steps carried him toward the airport.
As he walked, he contacted Yale, instrucning him to bring all the werewolf warriors from the Eclipse Pack to
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“Caden, wait for me!” I hurried to catch up.
K.77%སྦེ
Finished
I had never seen Caden this anxious about anyone. He had always been calm and composed, elegant in his demeanor.
But the moment Rosaline was involved, Caden lost his poise.
Gosh! This is infuriating!
Unless Rosaline was buried in the snow and couldn’t be found, I wouldn’t let her have it easy!
No one could take Caden from me.
Caden’s POV:
In a rush, I made my way as fast as I could to the small town at the foot of the Northrend mountains.
“Mr. Holbrook, you’ve finally arrived!” Yura greeted me eagerly as soon as she saw me.
I nervously asked, “What’s the situation now? Have you found Rosaline?”
Yura shook her head grimly. “No. We’ve searched once, but there’s no sign of Rosaline.”
Before I arrived, the search party had managed to arrange a helicopter, and Yura, along with several team members, had already flown over the mountains and forests to search, but they came up empty.
It had been 36 hours since Rosaline went missing.
“Search again!” I commanded coldly, my tone leaving no room for argument.
I refuse to believe anything has happened to Rosaline.
She’s faced so many dangers before–like the warehouse explosion and the plane crash–and she was fine.
This time, she’ll make it through, just like before.
“Caden, don’t worry,” Heidi gently tugged at my arm, speaking in a soothing voice. “Ms. Sinclair will be alright.”
I glanced at Heidi, her face weary. “Tessa, you look tired. Rest here while I go.”
“Caden, where are you going?” Heidi asked hurriedly.
“I’m going to find Rosaline,” I replied.
“I’m coming with you!” Heidi looked at me with pleading eyes.
Yura’s POV:
Only now did I notice that Heidi was following Caden.
She smiled slightly, speaking earnestly. “Caden, I know you’re worried about Ms. Sinclair, and I am too. Seeing you like this, how can I just rest here alone? Let me come with you–strength in numbers, and maybe I can help.”
Heidi’s sincerity seemed genuine like he truly cared about Rosaline If I hadn’t heard what Rosaline said
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about Heidi before, I might have been fooled by her sweet demeanor.
I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
77%
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It seems Heidi isn’t as easy to deal with as I thought. No wonder Caden was so blinded by her, even during the engagement ceremony when he ignored Rosaline’s feelings and chose to be with her.
Rosaline is such a nice person, but he couldn’t see that. Instead, he picked this b*tch. It was laughable.
But now wasn’t the time to think about that. The priority was to find Rosaline.
Once we find her, she’ll surely deal with this b*tch.
“Let’s go!” Caden urged impatiently.
“Mr. Holbrook, everything’s ready,” Yale spoke respectfully. “We’re ready to depart at any time.”
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Caden’s POV
Finished
The helicopter flew low, circling over the desolate landscape. Holding binoculars, I peered down, my vision filled with nothing but an endless blanket of white.
Snow covered everything, a thick, blinding layer that obscured all signs of life.
“Slow down,” I barked, my voice cold and steady. I couldn’t afford to miss any clues, not now.
The helicopter looped around again and again, but all I could see, no matter which direction I looked, was more snow, stretching endlessly
“Caden, we’ve already searched multiple times, but it seems like there’s nothing.” Heidi said, also scanning the snowy expanse through her binoculars
“Keep looking I snapped, my voice harsh
How could there w
A
Added sweden
She must be waiting for me to come and rescue her. As the minutes ticked by, my anxiety began to grow.
We couldn’t afford to waste any more time–nothing was showing up, and it felt like we were going in
Maybe we were too high up to see char
If we could search the mountain up close, we might find something
“Yale, bring me the parachute “I ordered
Yale was startled. “Mr. Caden
Heidi looked at me, eves wide. Caden, what do you need the parachute for?”
Tim going down to find Noxaline.” I replied, my voice resolute.
“No, it’s too dangerous!” Heidi grabbed my arm, pleading. “You can’t go.”
“I have to” I insisted, my tone unyielding “Rossa, I know you’re worried, but once I make up my mind, nothing or no one can change it
“Mr. Holbrook, you’re really going to jump down to find Rosaline?” Yura asked, watching as I efficiently prepsured the parachute
“Yes“Tanswered without hesitaNon
“I’m coming with you. Yura stepped for and and addressed Yale. “Please give me a parachute too.”
“Wan!” Yale hesitated, glancing between us
I gave Yura a frustrated look. “Ms. Nadine, this is too dangerous.”
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77%
Finished
“I’m not afraid of danger, as long as it means I can find Rosaline,” Yura replied, determination in her eyes. “Mr. Holbrook, I care about Rosaline’s safety just as much as you do. You should understand how I feel.”
I paused for a moment, taken aback.
Yura is the head of the famous Loe Studio.
Why is she so concerned about Rosaline?
Clearly, Yura and Rosaline shared a deep bond. However, Yura’s willingness to put her life in danger for Rosaline was a unique and uncommon friendship.
What else about Rosaline was unknown to me?
But now wasn’t the time to ponder that. I thought for a moment, then nodded. “Then be careful.”
I turned to Yale and instructed, “Give Ms. Nadine a parachute too.”
“Yes, Mr. Caden,” Yale responded immediately.
Heidi looked down through the window, eyes wide. “Caden, are you sure you’re really going to jump?”
“Yes,” I said, my face set in grim determination.
The storm was slowly dying down now, and it seemed like the blizzard might stop soon.
Yale handed the parachute to Yura and turned to me. “Mr. Caden, the snow is almost over. Once it clears up, we can land directly. And as soon as the storm stops, the search party and our people can begin a ground search of the mountain.”
“I’ll
go
first. As soon as the storm clears, you all follow,” I said, unable to wait another moment.
I had to go now. Rosaline couldn’t wait much longer.
Every second I delayed, her chance of survival diminished.
Without another word, I jumped out of the helicopter, deploying my parachute immediately in one smooth motion.
Yura followed right behind me.
“Caden, please be careful!” Heidi’s voice called out from above.
1
Rosaline’s POV:
I sat on a large rock inside the cave, both hungry and thirsty.
Lowering my head, I glanced at my phone–36 hours. That’s how long I had been trapped here.
I had tried calling Yura, but as expected, there was no signal.
The plane crash claimed the necklace my grandfather gave me for emergencies.
If only I still had it, I could have used it to fall for his help.
But now all I could do was wait in this dark cave powerless to do anything else
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Finished
I began to worry–would Yura notice the distress signals I left on the tree outside the cave?
The snowstorm was so fierce, the scratch marks might have been covered by the snow. If that happened, it would be disastrous.
If no one finds my signals….
I rubbed my temples and pulled out a bag of crackers, cating a few.
There wasn’t much food left, and it wouldn’t last for long.
If no one comes to rescue me, I might not survive much longer.
I couldn’t just sit here and wait. After finishing the crackers and regaining some energy, I stood up and walked toward the cave entrance.
The snow had sealed the entrance shut.
I pushed with all my strength, but it was no use.
The low temperatures had frozen the snow into thick ice, and there was no way I could move it on my own.
I laughed bitterly, letting Freya take over.
She tried to dig with her wolf claws, but it was useless.
The snow outside had turned into a solid ice layer, and it might take until next spring to melt.
By then, I’d be long gone.
I sighed, heavy–hearted, and retreated into the cave. I searched desperately for another exit, b appeared.
Now, all I could do was wait.
Hoping Yura would soon spot my distress signal.
I wouldn’t give up until the very last moment.
Suddenly, Caden’s handsome face flashed in my mind.
“Rosaline, don’t worry, I’ll protect you.
“As long as I’m here, you’ll be fine.”
one
Those words he once said to me echoed in my ears, impossible to forget.
I closed my eyes, a heavy sadness settling in my chest.
Caden, I’m in danger now. Do you know?
Where are you?
Chapter 209 Rosaline, I’m Coming For You
Caden’s POV:
Without hesitation, I leaped from the helicopter, plummeting downward and slowly descending.
This was my second time skydiving.
The first time was with Rosaline.
Finished
Although the situation had been dire then, and we had come close to death, I had felt calm, even joyous.
Because back then, Rosaline had been by my side.
She had told me she accepted my pursuit, that she was willing to be with me.
From that moment on, we would live and die together.
But this time, all I felt was worry, anxiety, and panic. A tangled mess of negative emotions flooded every part of me.
I was scared.
Afraid that something would happen to Rosaline.
And I might never see her again.
As I descended quickly, I looked down at the vast expanse of white below me.
Rosaline, where are you?
I’m coming for you.
You have to hang on there!
Minutes later, I landed slowly in the forest.
I stowed my parachute and set it aside.
Yura landed right behind me.
She lost her balance, slipping and falling heavily to the ground.
I rushed over to her, helping her up. “Ms. Nadine, are you alright?” I asked.
Yura stood up, brushing the snow from her clothes. She shook her head and said, “I’m fine. Let’s hurry and find Rosaline.”
“Alright.” I nodded, scanning the area, assessing the terrain.
We were currently on the main route from the small town to Keardes Hill.
Based on the time Rosaline had entered the mountains, she should have passed through here.
But the heavy snow had covered everything, leaving no trace.
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Finished
“We should search toward Keardes Hill. Rosaline is probably somewhere around here,” I mused, my voice low.
“Got it.” Yura agreed with my plan.
“The storm has mostly passed, and I believe Yale and the search party will be here soon. As long as we don’t overlook anything, we’ll find Rosaline.”
Yura nodded in agreement.
“Rosaline! Rosaline! Where are you?” We shouted as we walked, our voices echoing. “Rosaline, answer me!”
I longed for Rosaline to hear me and respond.
But all I heard in return was my own echo.
The snow, piled deep due to the avalanche, made every step a struggle, with the snow reaching up to my thighs.
Yura had it worse. The snow came up to her waist, but she gritted her teeth and kept going, following closely behind me.
I turned to look at Yura’s struggle and furrowed my brow. “Ms. Nadine, I think we should turn into wolves. It’ll make the search much faster.”
Yura nodded, and I decided to let Edward take over. Moving on foot was too slow.
Yura transformed into a brown wolf, and I let Edward take control of my body.
We exchanged a brief growl and set off at a run, our long legs speeding over the snow’s surface in search.
Wolves‘ speed and endurance are far better than a human’s, but even so, we searched for hours. As the sun began to set, we still hadn’t found any trace of Rosaline.
The brown wolf transformed back into Yura, and Edward reverted to my human form.
“Mr. Holbrook, do you think Rosaline… is she okay?” Yura asked, her voice trembling as she looked around at the vast snow–covered mountains.
I was scared too.
Earlier, from the helicopter, we hadn’t been able to see clearly. But now, after meticulously searching the path Rosaline likely took, we had found nothing.
Unless Rosaline had taken a different route, it seemed she had been buried by the snow.
It didn’t make sense that we couldn’t find anything.
“No! Rosaline will be fine!” I said, my voice firm.
A sense of helplessness, unlike anything I’d ever felt before, crept over me.
I had done everything I could, yet Rosaline was still nowhere to be found.
But no matter how difficult it became, I refused to give up!
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I firmly believed Rosaline was still alive.
She had to be somewhere, waiting for me to rescue her.
“Let’s go back. Maybe Rosaline didn’t come this way,” I suggested after a moment of thought.
“But this is the only route to Keardes Hill,” Yura said, on the verge of breaking down. “Rosaline would definitely take this path to see Dr. Watts.”
“Maybe she got lost and took a different direction,” I suggested, looking around.
Finished
“No. Rosaline is very organized. She has a compass, and she wouldn’t get lost. That girl definitely wouldn’t wander off course.” Yura shook her head.
I knew Yura was right, but I couldn’t bring myself to accept that Rosaline could be buried under the snow.
“We search again!” I said coldly. “We have to find Rosaline today, no matter what!”
Yura nodded and followed me.
As we retraced our steps, Yale and a group of werewolf warriors arrived.
I quickly walked over to join them. “Any news on Rosaline?”
Yale looked grim and answered, “No.”
“I’ll turn this entire mountain upside down if I have to, but I’ll find Rosaline!” I slammed my fist against a nearby tree, the force of the blow causing snow to fall from its branches.
“Caden, it’s getting dark. Maybe we should head back and rest. We can look for Ms. Sinclair tomorrow,” Heidi said, stepping forward from behind Yale, her body trembling.
“Tessa, what are you doing here?” I asked, a bit surprised.
Heidi walked over to me, shaking from the cold, and leaned against me. With a shy voice, she said, “Caden, I was worried about you and Ms. Sinclair.”
Yura spoke up, urging, “Mr. Holbrook, there are so many of us now. Let’s go find Rosaline!”
Heidi glared at Yura. “Ms. Nadine, I understand how you feel. We all want to find Ms. Sinclair, but have you heard the saying, ‘haste makes waste? Everyone’s exhausted. We should rest, eat something, and gather strength so we can search better. Right, Caden?”
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༥,77%u
Finished
Heidi’s words made sense, but at this moment, I couldn’t afford to wait. Rosaline couldn’t wait for much longer.
Every minute we wasted meant another minute she was in danger!
So, even though I was exhausted, the thought of Rosaline’s fate kept me moving. I couldn’t stop for even a second.
“We’ll split into four groups and search in four different directions,” I said after a moment of thought.
The forest was vast, and we had to make sure we didn’t miss a single inch.
“Caden, I’m coming with you.” Heidi grabbed my arm, worry written all over her face.
I was moved and nodded at her. “Tessa, this place is dangerous. Stay close and be careful.”
Heidi smiled faintly, her lips curling upward. “Caden, you’re so good to me.”
The four groups spread out in different directions to search for Rosaline. I led Yura and the others along the path where Rosaline was most likely to be.
With Yale and the others joining us, the search became more thorough.
The sky gradually darkened.
There was still no sign of Rosaline.
“Caden, I’m scared,” Heidi said, looking around at the pitch–black surroundings. She shivered and pressed closer to me. “What if there are wild animals?”
My heart sank.
Wild animals?
I hadn’t thought of that. Could Rosaline have encountered a wild animal?
If she had…
I couldn’t bring myself to think about it any further.
“Don’t worry,” one of the locals, who had joined Yale’s team, spoke up quickly. “There are no predators around here–only small animals, nothing that poses a threat.”
I let out a small sigh of relief.
“However, it’s so dark now, and our search efforts are slow. Perhaps we should head back to town and resume in the morning?” The local suggested cautiously.
“That makes sense,” Heidi quickly agreed. “We can’t see anything in this darkness. It’s better to rest tonight and come back fresh tomorrow to search more effectively.”
“No,” I snapped, my voice firm. “Keep searching. We don’t stop!”
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Chapter 210 What Is That?
possible!
My command silenced everyone, and we searched through the night but found nothing.
As dawn began to break, the sun finally peeked out.
“Finally, clear skies!” Yale shouted with excitement.
77%
Finished
“Great! With the sun out, the snow will melt, and our chances of finding Rosaline increase,” Yura said, a faint smile on her face.
But I couldn’t feel happy.
Though the weather had cleared up, the temperature was still very low.
It would take days for the snow to melt, and Rosaline didn’t have enough food to last that long.
“Caden, I–I can’t continue. I’m
So tired.” Heidi clung to my arm, her voice weak and pitiful.
I looked at her and said, “Tessa, hang on a little longer. If you need to, you can head back.”
“No, I want to stay with you,” she shook her head, refusing.
At that moment, the other three teams returned after searching their designated areas.
“Did you find anything?” I asked, my voice tight.
The team leaders shook their heads. “Sorry, Mr. Holbrook, we found nothing.”
My brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you continue searching?”
The leader of the search party spoke carefully. “Mr. Holbrook, we’ve combed the entire mountain, but… you should prepare might have…
for the worst. Ms. Sinclair … sh
”
Before he could finish, I interrupted coldly,
Vo. That’s not possible!”
Rosaline couldn’t have met a terrible end!
She’s still alive. I knew it!
I shouted, almost losing control. “I’ll say it again–Rosaline is fine! She’s alive, waiting for us to find her! No one is allowed to give up!”
“Mr. Caden, we won’t give up,” Yale said, stepping forward resolutely.
The afternoon came, and the sunlight was blinding.
The wind rustled the leaves, and the snow continued to fall in soft, muffled whispers.
“Rosaline, Rosaline! Where are you?” I called out, but each shout only brought more despair.
Rosaline, where are you?
Can you answer me?
Wait
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Chapter 210 What Is That?
What is that black shape in the trees over there?
I froze, squinting into the distance, shielding my eyes from the sunlight.
My heart began to race,
“Look! What is that?”
Chapter 211 The Marks of Rosaline
ཊྛ 77%°
Finished
Following the direction of my finger, everyone saw the fresh claw marks on the trunks of a few large trees not far away.
“Those marks? They look like Rosaline’s!” Yura’s voice was unusually excited as she rushed toward the tree.
Shaken, I quickly took off, running with long strides.
Reaching the base of the tree, I could see clearly–deep scratch marks carved into the bark.
Yura touched the marks excitedly and said, “These marks are fresh. They must be the distress signal Rosaline left for us before the avalanche!”
A wave of hope and joy rose within me. I spoke in a low, firm voice, “Since Rosaline left us a distress signal, she must be nearby. Let’s search around!”
Heidi bit her lip, frowning. “But it doesn’t look like anyone’s been here. This place is wide open; there’s no sign of people, unless they’re hidden under the snow.”
“No, Rosaline must be just a little further from here!” I said with certainty.
I had a strong feeling that we would find Rosaline soon and save her.
A pang of regret tugged at my heart.
Rosaline had left such an obvious signal for help–why hadn’t we noticed it sooner?
Her situation must have been desperate, and she left the marks hoping I would come to rescue her.
Yet it had taken so long to find them. It had been 48 hours since Rosaline went missing.
I couldn’t wait any longer!
“Why did it take us so long to find Rosaline’s distress signal?” Yura asked, her voice filled with frustration.
“These marks were probably covered by snow before; that’s why we couldn’t see them,” Yale explained. “With the sun out this morning, the snow began to melt, and the wind blew a little, so the marks finally showed up.”
“That makes sense,” I nodded in agreement.
But still–where is Rosaline?
I turned to the townfolk who had come to help with the search. “Think carefully. Is there anywhere around here where someone could hide?”
“Ah, I just remembered!” One of the townspeople said excitedly. “There’s a cave just off this road. I went up there last summer to gather herbs and saw it.”
A cave!
This is it!
Rosaline must have taken shelter in the cave
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I quickly asked, “Where’s the cave?”
“It should be nearby,” the townsman scratched his head. “But I’m not sure exactly where.”
Sh*t!
I cursed under my breath. Why now, of all times
Still, at least we had a lead now.
is he forgetting?
Finished
There was a good chance that Rosaline left the diess signal before the avalanche and then took refuge in
the cave.
The townsman tilted his head and thought fo
direction.”
a moment before pointing to the right. “I think it’s in that
Before he could finish, I immediately ran toward the direction he pointed.
“Rosaline, Rosaline! Are you here?! Rosaline! Please, answer me!” I called out loudly.
Pausing for a moment, I turned back and ordered Yale, “Come on, dig out the snow here!”
Rosaline’s POV:
I leaned against the cave wall, closing my eyes to rest and conserve my strength.
Faintly, I thought I heard a deep, magnetic voice.
It was distant, almost intangible.
I couldn’t hear it clearly.
But it sounded so familiar.
Could it be Caden’s voice?
I woke with a start, rushing to the entrance of the cave and straining to listen.
“Rosaline, Rosaline! Where are you?”
It really is Caden!
Caden is here to rescue me!
An overwhelming joy spread through my chest.
I trembled as I called, “Caden, is that you?”
After being trapped in the cave for two full days, my voice was hoarse.
“Caden, I’m here!” I tried to raise my voice, but it came out weak.
What should I do?
I have to let Caden know I’m here.
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Chapter 211 The Marks of Rosaline
Finished
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I pulled out my phone, turned the volume to the maximum, and played music.
I just hoped Caden could hear it.
Chapter 212 Finding Rosaline
Caden’s POV:
I was searching desperately for the cave when I suddenly heard music coming through the snow.
Though it was faint, I could clearly hear it.
Big Big World, that was Rosaline’s favorite song!
Finished
“Rosaline! It’s Rosaline!!” I shouted in excitement, turning around. “Everyone, come here! Rosaline is here!”
Everyone gathered around, and I quickly ordered, “Dig through the snow!”
I immediately transformed into Edward and had him use his massive wolf paws to start digging into the
snow.
Others joined in with tools, some of them also transforming into wolves, like me, using their claws to dig.
Edward, under my guidance, relentlessly clawed at the snow.
The song, once muffled by layers of snow, became clearer with every shovelful removed.
But soon, we ran into a serious problem.
Beneath the snow, we hit a hard layer of ice.
Though wolf claws were strong, they struggled against the thick, iron–like ice.
Each swipe left only left faint marks behind.
I could feel that Edward’s digging was slowing down.
“Mr. Caden, this isn’t working. The progress is too slow. We have to stop, or we’ll all freeze, Yale said, pausing before asking, “How about this? I’ll take some of the townsfolk and head back to town for tools.”
I nodded and told Edward to stop.
In my worry, I hadn’t thought of getting tools first–I had been trying to use the most primitive method to save Rosaline.
Yale, along with a few townsfolk, rushed back to town while I kept Edward digging.
At that moment, my only thought was to rescue Rosaline as quickly as possible.
Before long, Yale and the others returned with shovels and other tools.
With the right tools, progress sped up significantly.
About an hour later, the icy layer was finally cleared enough to create an opening.
Rosaline’s POV:
A strong light poured through the hole, blinding me for a moment.
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Chapter 212 Finding Rosaline
ས°77%སྦེ
Finished
When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Caden’s tall, familiar figure standing right in front of
- me.
It’s Caden. It really is him!
Even though I had known for a while, from inside the cave, that Caden was outside, working hard to dig me out, seeing him standing there before me felt surreal.
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.
Tears welled up, and the world before me blurred as I fought back the emotions. I pursed my dry lips; my voice trembled as I spoke, “Caden, is it reall
you?”
The sight of him, standing there, felt like a reunion after a lifetime apart.
“Rosaline, it’s me!” Caden’s voice rang out clearl
and reassuring.
as he stepped into the cave, his deep, magnetic tone solid
Without hesitation, Caden extended his long arms and pulled me into an embrace.
I clung to him tightly in return.
Once more, holding him so close, his warmth and his strength filled me with an overwhelming sense of
peace.
My heart raced, beating wildly as if a deer was darting in every direction.
There were so many things I wanted to say, but I didn’t know where to start.
Why is Caden here?
Why did he come to save me?
Had he forgiven me for everything? Is Richard’s illness the reason?
www
As my thoughts spun, I opened my mouth, my voice barely a whisper, “I–I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“Of course not.” Caden tightened his embrace, his voice low and soothing in my ear. “Rosaline, I finally found you. Do you know how worried I was about you?”
His warmth surrounded me, and my cold face began to flush from the heat.
His‘ presence was so familiar–so real.
It really is Caden!
He saved me.
When I was on the brink of despair, he had appeared, like a guardian angel, and rescued me.
“Caden, how did you know I was here?” I asked, my lips trembling as I met his gaze. “I thought I would never see you again.”
“You won’t have to,” Caden replied softly, his eyes meeting mine.
The silent connection between us spoke volumes.
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A % 77%#
Caden cupped my face in his hands, then lowered his head slowly, his lips moving toward mine.
I watched as his familiar face came closer, growing larger in my vision. My face turned bright red.
“Caden!” Just as his lips were about to touch mine, Heidi’s voice, loud and unwelcome, interrupted.
My heart tightened.
Why is Heidi here?
Chapter 213 I Can Cure Her
ས ཛཱ77%ཎྛ
Finished
I gently pushed Caden aside and turned to see Heidi walking toward me with an expressionless face.
She grabbed the sleeve of Caden’s shirt and forced herself between us. “Caden,” she said, “It’s a relief that Ms. Sinclair is fine. You don’t have to worry anymore. As long as Ms. Sinclair finds Dr. Watts, Mr. Richard will be saved.”
So, does Caden only come to help me because he’s looking for Dr. Watts?
Caden snapped out of his thoughts and nodded faintly. “Tessa, you’ve worked hard.”
“As long as I can help you, what’s a little hardship? I would do anything for you.” Heidi’s gaze lingered on Caden with a soft, loving look. “I know you feel the same. You’ve always said you would do anything for me.”
Caden frowned slightly. “Tessa, let’s not talk about that now.”
He turned back to me with a concerned tone. “Rosaline, you must be exhausted after being trapped for so long. Why don’t we head back and rest for a bit?”
Before Caden could finish, Heidi suddenly collapsed into his arms, her voice barely audible. “Caden, I feel awful.”
“Tessa? What’s wrong?” Caden instinctively caught Heidi.
Her body was ice–cold, her face was pale, and her brows were tightly furrowed–then she fainted.
“Tessa!” Caden hugged Heidi, his gaze clouded with anxiety and worry.
“Mr. Holbrook, Ms. Tessford likely fainted from exhaustion and the cold weather,” Yale spoke up.
“Where’s the nearest hospital?” Caden’s voice was cold and urgent.
A townspeople stepped forward. “There’s no hospital in town. The nearest one is in the county seat. But with the snowstorm blocking the roads, an ambulance won’t be able to get through.”
Caden thought for a moment. “Yale, contact a helicopter and have it fly here. Get Tessa to the hospital as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, Mr. Caden,” Yale replied respectfully.
Watching Caden hold Heidi, his face full of concern, I felt as if my heart had dropped from heaven to hell
in that instant.
Caden’s greatest concern was always Tessa,
I had just escaped death, nearly buried by the avalanche.
But now, Caden was holding Heidi.
“Rosaline.” Yura approached and patted my shoulder.
I snapped back to reality and forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
Yura nodded toward Heidi and whispered in my ear, “Is she really unconscious?”
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77%
Finished
I gave a bitter smile, then walked toward Caden. Looking down at Heidi in his arms, I said coldly, “Caden, step aside. Let me check on her.”
Caden looked at me, then nodded. “Hmm, you know some medical skills. Quickly, help me check on Tessa.”
I nodded and crouched down to feel Heidi’s pulse.
Her pulse was steady and calm, with no sign of any problem.
It was all an act.
“How is she?” Caden asked when I remained silent for a moment.
I smirked coldly, ignoring Caden. Instead, I called out to Yale, who was hurrying toward the town. “Yale, there’s no need for all that. Ms. Tessford’s condition–I can treat it.”
Yale stopped and looked at Caden with a questioning glance.
Caden asked, “What’s wrong with Tessa?”
“She’s fine.” I answered, my expression indifferent.
The next second, my eyes turned cold, and I raised my right hand, striking Heidi hard across the face.
The slap came so suddenly that no one had time to react, not even Caden.
I only used a little force, but even so, Heidi’s face was knocked to the side, and she couldn’t help but cry out. “Ah!”
“Didn’t she wake up?” I clapped my hands and stood up.
Heidi’s eyes snapped open, and she glared at me, holding her cheek. “Rosaline, why did you hit me?”
I looked down at her, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Heidi, weren’t you unconscious? How can you still feel me slap you?”
Anyone with a bit of common sense knows that someone who’s unconscious wouldn’t feel pain.
And yet, Heidi made such a scene from the slap–clearly, she hadn’t been fainting at all.
Heidi quickly turned her eyes to Caden, feigning a look of innocent hurt. “Caden, did I really faint? I suddenly lost consciousness, and when I woke up, Ms. Sinclair hit me. It hurt so much! Why would she do that to me?”
“I’ve been out here with you, trying to rescue her, freezing and starving. I was about to pass out. After all that, I finally saved Ms. Sinclair, and she treats me like this?”
Caden was left speechless.
Chapter 214 The Complicated Love Square
Finished
Secing Heidi acting like a b*tch, I couldn’t help but retort, “Ms. Tessford, that’s not fair. When did I ever hit you? I was just helping you get better. Look at you now–aren’t you full of energy? You followed Caden to save me, and now I’ve saved you once. We’re even.”
I said that without sparing Heidi another glance, grabbing Yura’s hand. “Yura, let’s go find Hughie.”
Yura was surprised. “Aren’t you going to rest for a bit?”
I shook my head. “I want to find Hughie quickly and ask him to help Mr. Richard.”
“Rosaline, I’ll go with you.” Caden’s voice suddenly cut in.
Before I could respond, Heidi grabbed Caden’s arm, covering her face. “Caden, don’t leave. It hurts so much; Rosaline hit me, and it really hurts.”
Caden frowned. “Tessa, I’ll have Yale take you back. Once I find Dr. Watts, I’ll come to you.”
But Heidi wasn’t having it. She clung to Caden desperately, tears pouring down her face. She looked so pitiful. “Caden, you once promised me you’d protect me forever. You said you’d always love me. Now you’re just leaving me behind.”
Her words were so harsh to my ears.
Caden had said similar things to me before.
“Rosaline, don’t be scared. I’ll protect you.”
“I love you. I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”
But now, he was saying those same words to her.
I took a deep breath, pushing away the painful thoughts, and glanced at Yura. “Let’s go.”
With that, I pulled Yura along and left.
Behind me, I heard Caden’s voice. “Tessa, listen to me. Go back with Yale.”
Then I heard Caden’s footsteps catch up to me. He spoke in a low voice by my side. “Rosaline, I’ll go with you.”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him coldly. “No need. Hughie doesn’t like meeting strangers. You should stay with your Tessa.”
“Rosaline, I-” Caden started to explain, but suddenly a man’s voice called out urgently from a distance.
“Rosaline!”
That voice…
I looked toward the sound and saw Jasper hurriedly walking toward me.
“Jasper, what are you doing here?” I asked, surprised.
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Chapter 214 The Complicated Love
so foolish?”
quare
Finished
I smiled lightly. “I didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t tell you.”
After a pause, I added, “Jasper, I’m fine. We’re going to find Dr. Watts now. You can head back now.”
Jasper’s concerned eyes were fixed on me. “Rosaline, I’ll go with you.”
I thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”
Together with Yura and Jasper, we headed toward Keardes Hill.
“Rosaline, why did you come here alone? Why didn’t you tell me, so I could come with you?” Jasper said with a lingering fear in his voice.
Before I could respond, Yura frowned. “Jasper, Rosaline just got out of danger. Can you let her have some peace?”
“I’m sorry.” Jasper blinked, then fell silent.
Yura, still thinking about earlier, spoke again. “Rosaline, you should have let Caden come with us.”
“Why?” I pressed my lips together.
Yura sighed softly. “Can’t you tell? He cares about you. And it’s obvious what Heidi feels for him. Aren’t you pushing Caden right into her arms?”
I understood what she meant, but every time I remembered Heidi’s words or how concerned Caden had been for Heidi, my heart felt heavy.
“You’re just letting your anger get the best of you. Don’t push Caden away.” Yura said, a little frustrated.
Jasper, unable to stay calm, spoke up. “Yura, what are you talking about? Caden loves Tessa. Stop meddling.”
Yura looked at me, sighed, and shook her head. She didn’t say anything else.
The three of us continued on, the snow still not fully melted, making the walk much harder ti expected.
“I should have just let Caden fly us in by helicopter,” Yura muttered, clearly still upset.
I understood what she meant. Rather than letting Heidi cling to Caden, it would have been better if he’d just flown us to find Dr. Watts.
After all, we were trying to save Richard, and Caden had a responsibility to get us there.
I didn’t want to explain too much. Furrowing my brow, I glanced around. “It should be nearby.”
“You’re sure about this?” Yura asked with doubt. “Everything here is covered in snow. It looks so desolate; this doesn’t seem like the kind of place people would live.”
“I’m sure. Verda told me it’s here,” I said, stopping my steps.
Jasper, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. He pointed ahead. “Rosaline, is that it?”
Following his finger, I saw a small cabin partly hidden behind thick trees.
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As we passed through the woods, a whole new world seemed to open up on the other side.
“This must be it!” I exclaimed, my excitement growing.
We’d finally found it.
I walked up and knocked on the door. “Is anyone home?”
No response.
“Maybe we’re at the wrong place?” Yura asked, her concern growing.
I wasn’t giving up. I knocked again, this time louder. “Is anyone there? Hughie, are you inside?”
སོ % 77%Ė
Finished
After a long moment, the wooden door creaked open. A middle–aged werewolf with graying hair appeared.
His sharp eyes and full beard looked a lot like the Hughie I remembered, though he seemed much older
now.
It was him!
Chapter 215 Have You Seen My Parents?
Mr. Richard could be saved!
I couldn’t contain my excitement and asked, “Hughie, do you still remember me?
“You’re Sal?” Hughie squinted his eyes in surprise, staring intensely at me standing in the doorway. His voice trembled as he mumbled to himself, “Sal, Sal…
Sal?
Who is that?
I was taken aback. “Hughie, don’t you recognize me? It’s Rosaline.
“Rosaline?” Hughie snapped back to reality, his eyes briefly flickering with disappointment. He spoke softly, “Oh, it’s you.”
“Yeah, Hughie, you remember me, right? When I was a child, I fell seriously ill, and you saved me. Later, you even taught me medicine.” I spoke quickly, almost pleading.
Hughie nodded, scanning me from head to toe. There was a hint of nostalgia in his voice as he said, “You’ve grown so much. Come inside, and we can talk.”
Relief washed over me when I realized that Hughie still remembered me. I turned to Yura and Jasper and said, “You two wait for me outside.”
I knew Hughie didn’t like unfamiliar faces.
-As I entered the little cabin, Hughie slammed the door shut behind me.
“Sit,” Hughie gestured to a wooden bench in the room. “How did you know I was here?”
I sat down as instructed, then got straight to the point. “Hughie, I came here to ask for your help.
“You need me to treat someone?” Hughie guessed my request, but his tone was firm, “Go back I won’t leave here.”
Desperation crept into my voice as I pleaded, “Hughie, I know this is sudden, but Mr. Richard’s life is hanging by a thread. You’re the only one who can save him. Please help me.”
“Mr. Richard? You mean the Alpha of Eclipse Pack?” Hughie frowned slightly.
“Yes, Mr. Richard and my grandfather were close friends. They have been through life and death situations together. Hughie, please, for my grandfather’s sake, help Mr. Richard. Can you?” I grabbed Hughie’s arm, pleading earnestly.
After all, Mr. Richard’s illness was partly my responsibility. If Hughie refused, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life.
Hughie sighed lightly, thinking for a moment before finally nodding.
“Hughie, did you agree?” My heart lifted.
“Mm.” Hughie replied with a simple, indifferent grunt.
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ས77%u
Finished
“Thank you, Hughie.” A heavy w lifted off my chest, and a smile spread across my face. “Can we go to
Rivemon as soon as possible?”
Now that I had found Hughie, the sooner we left, the sooner Richard would recover.
“I’ll pack.” Hughie stood up, went into the back room, and grabbed a wooden chest, strapping it to his back.
from before?” Hughie suddenly asked, looking at me.
“Rosaline, do you remember anythin
I paused, unsure.
Before … Was it from the time before my illness?
My eyes dimmed. “I don’t remember much from when I was a child. Grandpa said it’s a side effect from the illness. Is that true?”
“Mm.” Hughie nodded vaguely. “Let’s go!”
“Hughie, have you ever seen my parents? What do they look like?” I hesitated before asking.
This was a question I had asked my grandfather many times, but each time, he either changed the subject or became upset.
So, I stopped asking out of fear of upsetting him.
Maybe Hughie knows something?
“No. When I went to your house, it was only you and your grandfather.” Hughie’s eyes flickered slightly.
His answer left me feeling disappointed.
My instincts told me there was something he was hiding from me.
What could it be?
I understood Hughie’s temperament–if he didn’t want to talk, no matter how many times I asked, it wouldn’t help.
Forget it. The most important thing now is to get back to Rivemon so Hughie can save Mr. Richard.
Walking side by side with Hughie out of the cabin, Yura and Jasper hurried to meet us.
“This is Hughie.” I smiled and introduced them. “Hughie, these are my friends, Yura and Jasper.”
“Dr. Watts, we’ve heard a lot about you.” Yura and Jasper spoke with great respect.
Hughie, however, only glanced at them briefly, indifferent as ever.
On the Werewolf Continent, rumors had long circulated about Hughie’s strange temper, so Yura and Jasper, knowing this, exchanged a look and silently fell in step behind me.
As we reached the town, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of me.
I furrowed my brows. “Caden, what are you doing?”
“I’m waiting for you” Caden’s voice was low and serious
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Chapter 215 Have You Seen My Parents?
“Don’t worry, I’ve found Hughie. He agreed to come back to Rivemon and help your grandfather,” I reassured him.
Finished
Chapter 216 A Disgusting Actor
I looked past Rosaline at the man standing behind her.
Finished
His features were unremarkable, but there was a quiet weight to his presence, a kind of steadiness that came only with years of experience.
This had to be Hughie Watts.
I took a step forward, keeping my tone measured. “Dr. Watts, thank you.”
Hughie let out a short, unimpressed breath. “If you’re thanking anyone, thank Rosaline.”
So, the rumors were true. Wonder doctors always had their quirks.
This one, for example, led a secluded life in a frozen corner of the world.
Still, I wasn’t about to argue. My grandfather’s life was more important than a bruised ego. I turned to Rosaline. “No time to waste. Let’s go.”
She gave a short nod. “Let’s move.”
I reached for my phone, about to call Yale, when Heidi suddenly appeared, breathless. She grabbed my arm, her voice barely above a whisper. “Caden.”
Her hair was tangled, her feet still in house slippers. She looked like she’d run straight out of bed.
“Tessa?” I blinked. “What’s wrong?”
She glanced at Rosaline, then tightened her grip on my arm. “I woke up, and you were gone. I searched everywhere. You didn’t even tell me where you were going.”
She looked so lost that I instinctively patted her shoulder. “Tessa, Rosaline found Dr. Watts. We’re heading to Rivemon right now. You’re still recovering, so stay here for a few days. I’ll send Yale to get you soon.”
She shook her head, stubborn. “No, Caden. I don’t want to be left behind. Take me with you.
I hesitated. “But your condition-”
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “I’m fine. I just don’t want to be alone. Please.”
Rosaline’s patience had clearly run out. She crossed her arms. “Caden, are you coming or not?”
I took a slow breath, then gently pried Heidi’s hands off my arm. “We’re going.”
We boarded my private jet and took off toward Rivemon.
“Caden, this plane is safe, right?” Yura asked from her seat beside Rosaline, glancing around anxiously. “No sabotage? No ‘accidents‘ waiting to happen?”
Her words stirred something uneasy in me. Without thinking, I glanced at Rosaline.
Not long ago, the two of us had barely survived a plane crash.
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Stranded on an island, we had made promises, spoken words meant to last a lifetime.
Now, here we were, sitting
worlds apart.
Finished
Rosaline met my eyes for the briefest moment before looking away.
I exhaled and turned back to Yura, forcing a smirk onto my face.“What’s wrong, Ms. Nadine? You think I’d fall for the same trick twice?”
Yale straightened and spoke with certainty. “Ms. Nadine, there is nothing to worry about. The plane has been inspected thoroughly. I assure you there will be no accidents this time.”
Yura leaned back, exhaling. “Good. That’s a relief.”
“Caden, are you sure?” Heidi’s voice broke through, quiet but persistent.
She had been pressed against my side the entire flight, as if afraid even a small distance would pull me
away.
“It’s fine,” I said, my tone calm.
Heidi pursed her lips, then rested her head against my shoulder. “Ever since I fell from that cliff, heights have terrified me. Planes too.”
A strange tension settled in my chest.
The fear of falling. The fear of flying. The same fear Rosaline carried.
It struck me then how much Tessa and Rosaline mirrored each other in certain ways.
“But with you here,” Heidi continued, her voice quieter, “I feel safe.”
I glanced at my watch. “We’ll reach Rivemon in two hours. Try to get some sleep.”
She shivered suddenly and tucked herself closer. “Caden, I’m freezing…
The warmth of her body against mine felt suffocating.
Across the cabin, Rosaline sat still, her gaze fixed on the window, as if the world beyond it held more interest than anything happening inside. I exhaled, then shifted away from Heidi. Without a word, I slipped off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “This should help.”
She glanced at Rosaline, then smiled as if she had won some silent victory. “Caden, you’re always so good to
me.”
Rosaline’s POV:
“This woman is insufferable. I’d throw her out of this plane if I could.” Freya’s voice coiled in my mind like a serpent, sharp and venomous.
She wasn’t wrong. The saccharine tone, the way Heidi clung to him—it made my skin crawl.
I shut my eyes, willing myself to block it all out.
But memories crept in. The crash. The island. The moment Caden and I had tumbled through the sky,
life and death
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Chapter 216 A Disqusting Actor
Only half a month had passed, yet it already felt like another world.
Finished
I remembered his voice, steady and sure, promising things I never thought I would hear. Had any of it been real?
I took a slow breath, pressing the thoughts down.
Had he uncovered the truth behind the crash?
Was Donny responsible?
If so, why had there been no word, no movement?
And if not–then who?
The questions swirled in my mind until exhaustion pulled me under, and at last, sleep claimed me.
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Chapter 217 Nightmares
Sleep did not come easily.
ས 77%╚
Finished
Darkness swallowed me whole, thick and suffocating. Shadows moved within it, shifting and writhing, until they took shape.
Werewolves appeared, their eyes gleaming, sharp and merciless.They towered over me, circling like predators, their laughter low and menacing.
I tried to move, to fight, to run–but my limbs felt like lead.
Suddenly, the scene twisted; I was no longer trapped in darkness but running.
The forest stretched endlessly ahead, trees blurring past as I stumbled forward. Branches tore at my skin, roots threatened to trip me, but I couldn’t stop.
Behind me, the werewolves gave chase, their snarls growing louder, closer.
But my path was cut short. The ground vanished beneath my feet, and I skidded to a halt.
A steep cliff loomed ahead.
I glanced down, but there was nothing to see–just a gaping void, endless and ravenous.
Footsteps sounded behind me. Sharp. Measured.
I turned. It was a lithe woman, the ends of her heels clapping against the ground as she sauntered up to me.
It was Heidi.
She stood poised, her lips curling into a cruel smile. The light caught her features, twisting beauty into something unnatural. “Caden belongs to me,” she said. Her voice was smooth as silk, yet it coiled around me like a snake. “No one will take him from me. Not even you, Rosaline.”
Then she reached out. And shoved me. I fell.
Wind roared past my ears. The pit of my stomach lurched, my arms flailed-
I gasped, my eyes snapping open. The cabin lights above cast a dim glow, steady and familiar. The hum of the plane’s engines filled the silence.
A dream. Nothing more. Yet my breath came fast, my chest rising and falling as I forced myself to steady it.
“Rosaline, are you alright?” The voices were immediate, layered with concern.
I swallowed, my throat dry. “It was just a nightmare.”
But it had felt real.
Too real.
Why had I dreamed of something like that?
Was my mind unraveling under the weight of the past few days? Or had I simply spent too much time near
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Chapter 217 Nightmares
I lifted a hand to my forehead. Cold sweat clung to my skin.
Jasper’s gaze sharpened. “You’re pale. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I forced a small smile, though it felt fragile. “I’m fine.”
“I’ll take a look.” Hughie rose without hesitation and strode toward me.
He placed two fingers against my wrist, his gaze steady.
Finished
A long silence followed. Then, at last, he spoke. “You’re fine. The past few days have worn you down, that’s all. Get some rest, and you’ll be back to yourself soon enough.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Thanks, Hughie.”
The weight of exhaustion settled over me like a heavy cloak. The avalanche, those two harrowing days trapped in the cave, the frantic rush to find Hughie, and the long journey back to Rivemon–it had drained every ounce of strength I had.
Even an Alpha’s body had limits.
“I’d like a glass of lemon water,” Caden said abruptly, his voice calm and measured.
The flight attendant offered a polished smile. “Right away, Mr. Holbrook.”
She returned swiftly, holding the drink with both hands. “Your lemon water, sir.”
But Caden didn’t take a sip. Instead, he turned to me and held out the glass. “You like this. Drink some–it’ll help.”
I hesitated, then accepted it.
My fingers brushed against his palm. Warmth lingered where our skin touched.
A strange feeling stirred in my chest.
He remembered?
“Caden, I want some lemon water too.” Heidi latched onto his arm, her voice light, almost playful.
Caden’s face remained impassive as he glanced at the flight attendant. “Bring me another glass.”
“Thank you, Caden.” She leaned in, whispering something in his ear. Then, when she was certain he couldn’t see, she turned to me with a smug smile, a silent declaration of victory.
I clenched my jaw and set my glass aside.
“Alpha, tell me I’m not imagining things. This Heidi doesn’t seem like the kind, selfless girl Caden described.”
“She isn’t. And I intend to find out exactly who she is.”
“Good. Dig up everything–her past, her family, her entire history.” Freya’s voice burned with quiet fury.
The hours passed, and at last, the plane touched down at Rivemon International Airport.
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Chapter 217 Nightmares
ས ཊཱི, 77%Ė
Finished
“Hughie, we’re going straight to the hospital.” I stepped off the plane, my thoughts already ahead of me.
Hughie nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
Yale had arranged for transport, and without delay, we made our way to the hospital.
Outside the patient’s room, Dr. Williamson stood waiting with Eleanor and Queenie.
Caden wasted no time. “How is he?”
Dr. Williamson’s gaze flickered to Hughie before he answered. “No change. He remains unconscious, but his vitals are steady.” He took a step back. “Dr. Watts, you should take a look.”
Hughie nodded once, his face unreadable. “Everyone out,” he said. “Wait outside.”
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Chapter 218 Spiritual Stone
Caden’s POV:
Finished
Few questioned Hughie’s abilities. They spoke of him as if he could defy the very laws of nature, a healer who could drag the dead back into the light. But I had never witnessed it firsthand.
Rumors were just whispers, nothing more.
If we left him alone with Grandpa and things took a turn for the worse…
Before I could voice my thoughts, my mother’s voice cut through the tension. “All of us? Leave? Absolutely
not.”
Her gaze swept over Hughie, sharp and calculating. “So, you’re Dr. Watts?”
Hughie didn’t respond. His face was like stone.
She turned to me, her voice rising with suspicion. “Caden, are you really going to trust this man with your grandfather’s life? Can he truly save him?” Her eyes hardened. “I heard Rosaline found him. Have you forgotten who caused your grandfather’s condition in the first place? Now she’s supposedly found someone to cure him? You really believe that?”
“Enough, Eleanor,” Rosaline interjected, her tone firm and resolute. “You can question me all you like, but don’t you dare doubt Hughie.”
“Mom, please.” I caught the flicker of irritation in Hughie’s eyes. My voice dropped to a controlled coldness. “We’re leaving.”
-Whether she approved or not, Hughie was Grandpa’s only hope.
I trusted him. I trusted Rosaline.
Mom’s face darkened, and her lips pressed together in a thin line, her anger boiling over. Before she could protest further, Queenie stepped forward. “Caden, Aunt Eleanor is right. Grandpa deserves the best care. How can we let someone like him-”
“Enough!” I snapped, my patience running out. “Since when did Grandpa’s care become any of your business?” At my signal, the wolf guards stepped in, swiftly ushering both of them out of the room.
Turning to Hughie, I gave a formal bow of respect. “Dr. Watts, I trust you with my grandfather’s life.”
Without another word, I turned and walked out. The others followed.
Just as the door was about to close, Hughie’s voice stopped me. “Rosaline stays.”
Rosaline hesitated, then nodded. “Alright, Hughie.”
“No!” My mother lunged forward, blocking Rosaline’s path. “You’re not going in there! Haven’t you done enough damage?”
I grabbed her arm, pulling her aside, my temper barely in check. “Mom, can you please be quiet for once?”
“Caden, have you forgotten how your grandfather ended up like this?” Her glare could have burned a hole through steel. “And now you want to let her near him again? What if she-” “Enough.” I pushed open the
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Rosaline stepped inside, leaving us behind. The door clicked shut, locking us out,
Rosaline’s POV:
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I approached Hughie, my heart racing, “How’s Mr. Richard? Can you help him?”
Hughie paused, considering my question. Then he nodded, his voice calm. “Yes?
Relief washed over me.
I had always trusted Hughie’s skill. If he said it was possible, I had no reason to doubt him.
Hughie reached into his medical bag, retrieving a small blue stone from the bottom compartment.
I gasped in surprise. “Hughie, are you really going to use a witch’s stone?”
I’d heard the stories–how, in his youth, Hughie had ventured deep into the Witchwood on the Werewolf Continent. There, he had learned the ancient healing arts of the witches, secrets passed down only to them.
The witches had long been our enemies, the werewolves. They lived far from us, hidden in dark forests, using their magic to protect themselves from our advances.
Their greatest secret was the witch’s stone, a powerful artifact infused with magical energy that could cure even the most dire ailments.
I never imagined Hughie would use such a stone to treat Richard.
But if he was willing to do so, there was hope.
“Yes,” Hughie said again, his hand steady as he placed the glowing stone against Richard’s chest.
He turned to me, his expression serious. “Rosaline, I kept you here because to use the witch’s stone, an Alpha must offer a drop of blood from between their brows.”
I blinked, the words catching me off guard. But after a moment, I nodded in understanding.
If it meant saving Richard, a little blood was nothing.
I also understood why Hughie had asked everyone to leave. The witch’s stone was a controversial method, one forbidden by the Werewolf Continent.
And as an Alpha, my identity needed to remain hidden.
1
Hughie gently drew a drop of blood from between my brows, smearing it on the stone. Then, he began to circle Richard’s bed, chanting under his breath.
I froze, surprised to hear the strange, melodic words. Hughie, it seemed, had mastered the witches‘ incantation.
“Rosaline,” Hughie said, stopping and looking at me. “Listen carefully. Remember the chant.”
I nodded, focusing intently. The rhythm of his voice, the pattern of the words–it all etched itself into my
memory.
Half an hour passed, Hughie’s incantation echoing through the room. After three repetitions, he carefully removed the stone from Richard’s chest and placed it into my hands.
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I realized with a start that the blood from between my brows had vanished,
“Keep the stone safe,” Hughie said, his voice steady, “The next part of the treatment is yours”
I blinked, shocked. “Me?”
Finished
“Yes. You’re my apprentice. You can handle it.” Hughie gave me a reassuring nod, then turned and opened the door to the room.
Caden had waited outside for what seemed like an eternity. The moment the door creaked open, his tall frame moved quickly toward the bed. His voice was urgent. “How is my grandfather?”
Hughie answered, calm and measured. “My method can cure the Alpha. I’ve already started the process
“Then why isn’t he showing any signs of improvement?” Eleanor’s voice was sharp, her gaze fixed on Richard, who still lay unconscious. “Are you just another con artist looking to take our money?”
I couldn’t help the smirk that crossed my face. I cut in, my voice steady. “No improvement, you claim? Did you miss how Mr. Richard’s complexion is much better? He doesn’t look as pale as he did.”
Caden turned his attention back to Richard.
Yes, the Alpha of the Eclipse Pack no longer had the ashen color of death upon his face. A flush had returned to his cheeks, and his breathing was calmer, more even.
Caden’s stiff posture relaxed just a bit. He opened his mouth to speak, but froze as Richard’s finger twitched ever so slightly.
“Grandpa, Grandpa!” Caden’s voice cracked with relief as he grasped Richard’s hand tightly.
Hughie, standing nearby, spoke with quiet certainty. “It’s too soon for him to wake. The Alpha’s illness will require at least three treatment sessions before he regains consciousness. I’ve only completed the first.”
“Then please, Dr. Watts, don’t waste any time,” Caden implored, desperation creeping into his tone.
Hughie raised an eyebrow. “Patience is crucial. Each treatment needs to be followed by three days of lull before the next. If we rush, we risk his life.”
Caden’s shoulders slumped. “I see …” His voice was soft, tinged with frustration.
I shared his sentiment. It would take more time than I had hoped for Richard to fully recover.
But, at least there was progress.
The Alpha was on the mend, slowly but surely. Three treatment sessions, and he would awaken.
After a brief silence, Caden spoke again, this time with a more measured tone. “Dr. Watts, will you stay here until Grandpa wakes up?”
Before he could finish, Hughie cut him off. “I’m leaving now.”
“What?” Caden blinked, surprised. “Then what about my grandfather?”
Hughie’s gaze shifted to me, and he spoke with quiet assurance. “Rosaline will handle the next couple of
sessions.”
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“Rosaline? Do you really think she can handle this? Eleanor’s voice was sharp, dripping with skepticism.
I couldn’t help but smile, my expression cold. “You make it sound like you can do a better job than me.” Eleanor’s face twitched, her anger barely concealed.
I met her gaze, undeterred. “You questioned Hughie’s abilities earlier, but now look at the results–he’s already shown he can help Richard”
“Maybe Hughie can, but that doesn’t mean you can,” Queenie interjected, stepping forward. She shot me a glare. “Do you even know what you’re doing? Seems like you’re just trying to impress Caden.”
Hughie’s patience finally wore thin. “Rosaline, this is getting out of hand. I’m leaving
Without another word, he turned and strode out of the room.
I rushed after him. “Hughie, wait, let me walk you out.”
He paused for a moment, turning to meet my eyes. “It’s alright. Just take care of yourself, Rosaline.”
And then, he was gone.
The room fell into an uneasy silence.
But I wasn’t surprised by his sudden departure. Hughie always made decisions quickly. I watched him leave, letting out a quiet sigh.
If it weren’t for Richard’s condition, I would never have brought Hughie into this mess–especially with Eleanor constantly doubting him.
I felt a pang of guilt for dragging him into this.
What really caught me off guard, though, was how he had passed on the witch’s stone incantation to me.
I was still processing the gravity of it when Caden’s voice broke through, low and uncertain. 1 he… did he really leave us?”
I turned to him, meeting his concerned gaze. “Yeah, Hughie’s gone. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of Richard.”
I owed it to Richard, especially since his condition was partly my fault. I was determined to make things right.
“I’ll be back in three days for the next session,” I said, my eyes briefly meeting Heidi’s, who still hovered by Caden. “I’m exhausted. I’m heading out.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Caden offered his voice kind.
“Thanks but no thanks,” I replied, my brow furrowing slightly. “I’m fine on my own.” I turned and made my way toward the elevator.
As I reached the hospital entrance, a sleek black Bentley pulled up, stopping right in front of me.
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He stepped out, his movements fluid and graceful. With a polite nod, he gestured toward the car. “Let me drive you home, Rosaline.”
I hadn’t realized how tired I truly was. His offer was a welcome relief.
“Thank you,” I said, a faint smile playing at the corners of my lips as I opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat, the cool night air brushing against my skin.
“Where’s Yura?” I asked, turning to Jasper, the hum of the engine the only sound between us.
He reached over, his hand brushing against mine as he fastened my seatbelt. “She went back to the hotel.”
“I see,” I murmured, offering him little more than that, my thoughts drifting.
Jasper pressed the accelerator, and with a smooth motion, the car began its quiet journey toward Elderwood.
Caden’s POV:
As I stepped out of the hospital, my eyes were drawn immediately to Rosaline, a smile lighting up her face as she climbed into Jasper’s sleek car.
The relief I’d felt moments earlier, from hearing about my grandfather’s improvement, quickly slipped away, replaced by a dull weight in my chest. Something stirred within me, something I couldn’t quite name.
Heidi caught up with me, her voice laced with curiosity. “Caden, what are you staring at?”
“Nothing,” I muttered, pulling my gaze away from the car, my frustration evident.
“Is that Jasper with Rosaline?” Heidi asked, her tone too casual, a knowing smile creeping onto her lips. “Guess those rumors are true–looks like Rosaline and Jasper are living together now.”
“Tessa, weren’t you heading home?” I interrupted, my patience finally fraying.
Heidi’s gaze softened, but there was a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Caden, can you take me home?”
“I have things to do. I’ll have the driver take you,” I said, turning my head and dismissing her, honing she’d take the hint.
Heidi hesitated, caught off guard. “Caden, what’s going on? I can stay with you-”
“No,” I said firmly, my voice colder now. “Just go home, Tessa.” I waved my hand, signaling the driver to pull
up.‘
After watching the car disappear with Heidi inside, I turned toward my own vehicle, a familiar ache tugging at me as I drove in the direction of Elderwood.
Jasper’s POV:
The drive to Elderwood was calm, the road stretching out before us under the pale light of the moon.
Rosaline sat beside me, her eyes closed, her body relaxed against the seat as she finally allowed herself to
rest.
By the time we arrived, her head had tilted to the side; her breathing was soft and steady as she slept.
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Finished
I parked the car carefully, reluctant to disturb the peacefulness around her. For a moment, I just watched her, the quict hum of the car filling the space between us.
The soft light from the interior of the car cast a delicate glow over her face, making her skin appear almost ethereal, as if the glow from the world outside couldn’t touch her. Her lashes, long and dark, brushed gently against her cheeks, leaving behind a faint shadow.
Even in sleep, with exhaustion weighing on her features, she was breathtaking. She had a beauty that was quiet yet captivating, the kind that seemed to pull at the heart in ways I couldn’t quite explain.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Every beat of my heart quickened as I watched her, unable to look away.
She was mesmerizing.
Slowly, almost without thinking, I leaned in closer, my face drawn toward hers, drawn to the softness of her lips.
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Rosaline’s POV:
I jolted awake, my heart pounding.
The first thing that came into view was Jasper’s familiar, handsome face, drawing nearer to mine.
“Jasper, what are you doing?” I gasped, quickly pulling back, a wave of panic rushing through me.
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Jasper blinked, his expression snapping from dazed to embarrassed. He quickly straightened himself in the seat. “Rosaline, we’re here.”
I glanced out the window, then nodded in quiet acknowledgment. “Thanks for the ride.”
I got out of the car and headed toward home. As I took my first few steps, I heard his voice, deep and quiet, calling after me.
“Rosaline…”
I paused, turning slowly. “What do you need?”
Jasper approached, stopping right in front of me. He looked at me with a seriousness I hadn’t seen before. “Rosaline, will you give me a chance? Will you go out with me?”
Go out with him?
The words hit me like a cold gust of wind. Didn’t I already make it clear to him?
Hadn’t I told him there was nothing between us?
I thought he’d moved on.
But it was clear now–he hadn’t.
I hesitated, searching for the right words to say.
“Jasper, didn’t we already talk about this? We’re just friends.”
“I know, I know,” he said, his voice thick with urgency. “But Caden doesn’t deserve you. He hurt you, and still, you can’t even consider me?”
1
He stepped closer, his hands finding my shoulders as his gaze grew more intense.
“Rosaline, let me take care of you. Let me protect you. I can promise you, I’ll be a thousand times better than Caden. You have to believe me.”
I felt my chest tighten. “Jasper, please don’t do this,” I said, my voice soft, helpless.
“Before, you told me you found true love. I thought Caden would be the one to love you, to give you happiness. But that’s not how things turned out, is it?” Jasper’s voice was insistent, almost pleading.
“Caden’s heart is with Tessa. He only agreed to the engagement because he thought she was gone. But now— now that he’s found her, we can see he treats her like a queen. Rosaline, stop fooling yourself. Caden is not the right man for you.”
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ས ཊཱི 77%Ė
His words hit me harder than I expected, sinking deep into my chest. I couldn’t even bring myself to respond right away. The weight of his words, of the truth behind them, was undeniable.
Seeing the change in my expression, Jasper frowned. “I know I shouldn’t have said that, but…”
Finished
“If you know you shouldn’t have, then don’t,” I interrupted him, exhaustion slipping into my tone. I lifted my eyes to meet his. “You have to get this into your head, Jasper. Us dating? That isn’t going to happen.”
“Is it because you still love Caden?” he asked quietly, his eyes dimming with a hint of sadness.
I stood motionless, my mind racing as I shook my head. “It has nothing to do with him.”
Without another glance at Jasper, who seemed lost in thought, I turned and walked away.
The elevator ride was quiet as I made my way to my apartment. I pulled my keys from my bag, the metal cold against my fingers, and unlocked the door.
Just as I was about to shut it behind me, a shadow flickered across the dim stairwell.
A large hand shot out, stopping the door from closing, and a figure stepped into the threshold, blocking my path.
I stumbled back, my heart racing. “Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice sharp and unsteady.
The man let out a low grunt, his presence unmistakable.
That voice…
In the soft glow from the window, his features slowly came into focus.
He radiated a chilling intensity, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that seemed to blend with the night itself.
His face was carved with precision, each line and contour a testament to some divine craftsmanship–noble, striking, and unforgettable.
His eyes, dark and unreadable, narrowed as they locked onto mine, their depth carrying an coldness.
Caden?!
What on earth was he doing here?
ettling
I blinked, trying to compose myself before speaking in a steady tone. “Caden, what are you doing here?”
He smirked, though there was a flicker of something darker in his expression. “Don’t want to see me?”
In one swift motion, he reached forward and slammed the door shut with enough force to make the walls tremble.
“If you’re here about Richard,” I said, meeting his gaze firmly, “don’t worry. I’ll be at the hospital in three days for the next session.” I paused, fatigue weighing heavily on me. “I need to retire for the night. Please
leave.”
I couldn’t make sense of his sudden appearance.
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Wasn’t he supposed to be with Tessa, giving her a ride home?
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Caden’s expression hardened, and before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist with an iron hold, and he shoved me roughly against the door.
“Let go of me… “The sharp pain in my wrist made me flinch, but his grip only tightened.
Before I could finish, his lips crashed onto mine–demanding, forceful, unrelenting.
The kiss was overwhelming and consuming, with no trace of tenderness–just raw intensity.
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Caden’s POV
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Kissing Rosaline again felt like stepping into a memory I couldn’t outrun–familiar, yet powerful enough to pull me under. It was a feeling that consumed me, wrapping around my chest, pulling tighter with each second. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to.
I missed her.
More than I ever thought possible.
Since she called off the engagement and left Citypark, not a moment passed without thoughts of her. Every smile, every glance–no matter how small–lingered in my mind, haunting me, taunting me with what I’d
lost.
Sleep became a distant dream. I tossed and turned every night, unable to escape the ache in my chest.
When I saw the news about her and Jasper, a dark wave of anger and panic swept over me. The thought of losing her, of her slipping away, was unbearable.
When I heard she was in danger at Mount Whitelength, everything inside me snapped. I didn’t hesitate. I dropped everything and rushed to find her.
Now, standing at her door, nothing else mattered. Not my grandfather. Not Tessa. I had to see her, to know
she was safe.
But when I walked in, what did I find?
Jasper. His hands on her shoulders. Too close. Too familiar.
The way they stood together–it was like they were a part of cach other, comfortable and easy, a stark contrast to the distance between me and Rosaline.
And her… she barely looked at me, her indifference cutting deeper than any harsh words could.
Was it true? Was she really… with him?
Were all the rumors–those rumors–true?
My frustration boiled over, burning through me. Without thinking. I kissed her again, pushing deeper, more forceful this time. My tongue slipped past her lips with an urgency I couldn’t control.
Rosaline’s POV:
The kiss hit me like a sudden storm.
1 froze.
My mind went blank, my body locking up in shock as the reality of the moment hit.
What was he doing?
We were done. The engagement was over. He had no right to do this.
dub
100%意
+6 Pearls
I wanted him to feel every ounce of the anger I’d been holding back.
The sharp taste of blood flooded my mouth, and I felt his grip loosen as he pulled away with a growl.
I gasped for air, my chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. The share and anger clashed within me, burning hotter than ever. “Caden, that’s enough!” I snapped, my voice shaking, breathless from the storm of emotions coursing through me.
Caden’s face drained of color, his expression hardening into a mask of cold fury.
A palpable chill emanated from him, making the air seem to thicken, sulfocating everything around us. It was as though the world itself had frozen in place.
He stood there, every muscle taut, his sharp features carved with tension. His gaze–dark, intense, and relentless–fixed on me, sending a cold shiver racing down my spine.
We remained suspended in that moment, the silence wrapping around us, heavy and suffocating. How long had we stood like this? I couldn’t say. Finally, his voice broke through, low and dangerous, each word falling like ice. “Rosaline, is it true? Are you really going out with Jasper now?”
His words sliced through me. The question echoed in my head, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer right away. Why was he asking this again? Did he truly not understand why I did what I did?
I frowned, the weight of his accusation pressing down on me.
“Did you end our engagement because of Jasper?” His tone grew sharper, colder, as if daring me to deny it. Jasper?
Was he really trying to blame this on him?
No. This wasn’t about Jasper at all. It was about Tessa.
I lifted my chin, meeting his icy stare with defiance. “Caden, don’t twist the truth. Don’t act like you don’t know why I ended things between us.”
“I don’t understand!” His voice cracked with frustration, each word strained as if he were trying to choke back something. “Tell me, Rosaline. I need to hear it from you–why did you do it?”
A bitter laugh escaped me, sharp and full of contempt. “So now you want the truth? Fine, I’ll give it to you.”
I drew a deep breath, steadying myself, and locked eyes with him. “I’ve told you before, Caden. I don’t take love lightly. Whoever I marry has to love me entirely. Their heart has to belong to me, and me alone.”
“But from the very start, it was clear. You’ve always loved Tessa.”
“So, you broke off the engagement because of Tessa?” Caden’s eyebrow quirked slightly, his gaze softening just enough for a flicker of doubt to show.
“Yes,” I answered, my voice firm and unshakable.
Caden’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with intensity. His voice dropped lower, alr Then tell me this: If I told you that nothing happened between me and Tessa–if I swore then between us would you come back to me?”
a whisper
was nothin
A laugh, bitter and disbelieving, slipped past my lips. “Do you really think I’d believe that?” I scoffed, my
Chapter 221 Doubts
words cutting sharp.
Caden didn’t back down. His gaze held mine, unrelenting. “Why wouldn’t you believe me?”
+8 Pearls
“Because on the day of our engagement party, when everything shout have been perfect, you disappeared without a word. I couldn’t reach you I thought something had happened to you. I searched everywhere, panicked… only to find you with Tessa
I took a step closer, my voice rising. It was clear to me then. Tessa mattered more to you than I ever did. Or more accurately… you’ve always loved her. If that’s true, then this engagement–our engagement–should never have happened.”
Caden’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with frustration. “I didn’t ignore you. I sent you a message, didn’t I?! told you I’d be picking you up later.”
A text message?
I froze, a knot of confusion forming in my stomach.
When had he ever sent me a message?
“I didn’t see anything.” I replied, my voice edged with disbelief and sarcasm.
Caden’s POV:
I furrowed my brow, my thoughts scrambling. My phone died that day. It was Tessa who had sent the
message, not me.
So why hadn’t Rosaline gotten it?
What had gone wrong?
Could Tessa have been involved in some way?
I stood there in silence, lost in the labyrinth of my own mind. Rosaline’s voice broke the stillness, sharp as a knife. “Caden, don’t even try to deny it. You’ve been in love with Tessa all this time, haven’t you? Isn’t she the one who’s always been on your mind?”
“Rosaline, I won’t lie to you,” I said slowly, each word weighed carefully. Tve had a bond with Tessa, but it’s not what you think.”
Yes, Tessa had meant something to me, for a long time.
I thought she was the one I was meant to be with.
But then Rosaline came into my life, and everything shifted. I couldn’t deny it. Slowly, I found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn’t explain.
When I met Heidi, I knew there was no spark between us, no connection tying us together.
Even though I wasn’t an Alpha, and Edward couldn’t sense a destined mate, I felt it deep inside me.
It was Rosaline, she was the one.
Edward shared my sentiments.
Chapter 221 Doubts
But Tessa had saved my life. That kind of debt isn’t something I could easily forger.
So, when Tessa asked for my help, Lagreed, without hesitation.
* Pearls
Rosaline hit her lip, her gaze unwavering, as she processed everything I’d said. The silence hung between us like a heavy curtain.
“I’ve told you everything about Tessa,” I said, my voice taut. “Now, it’s your turn. What’s going on with you and Jasper?” The image of what Ed seen downstairs still gnawed at me, making my chest tighten with
unease.
But instead of answering, Rosaline’s question caught me completely off guard. “Caden, are you sure Heidi is Tessa?”
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Rosaline’s POV:
“Of course,” Caden replied, his voice unwavering, as if the answer was as obvious as day.
“And your reason?” I asked, studying his face with a gaze that could have pierced steel.
45 Pearls
His eyes shifted, a glimmer of curiosity flickering beneath the surface. “Rosaline, you sound suspicious. Why?”
I opened my mouth, prepared to speak, but the sharp ring of his phone cut through the tension like a knife.
Caden pulled it from his pocket with swift precision, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the screen. In an instant, his expression changed. With one fluid motion, he answered the call.
Tessa?”
Freya’s voice, laced with venom, reverberated in my mind. “That d’mn Tessa again. He never learns.
I couldn’t suppress the icy glare that formed on my face.
Then, Heidi’s panicked voice erupted through the phone. “Caden, help me! Please, you have to help me!”
“Tessa, what’s happening?” Caden’s voice cracked, betraying the concern he had tried so hard to hide.
I felt the frustration rise inside me, and I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my calm.
“Don’t come over here! Ah… Caden, help, please!” Heidi’s voice trembled, laced with terror. It was as if something horrific had happened, and I could feel the weight of her panic in the very air.
Tessa? What’s going on?” Caden’s voice was tight now, full of tension. His need for answers was raw, urgent.
But before he could get any more information, the call abruptly ended.
Caden immediately dialed her number again, his fingers pressing the buttons with growing frustration. But
there was no response.
“Rosaline,” he said, his face darkening, “Tessa might be in danger. I need to go check on her.” He looked at me with a weighty gaze, the silent urgency clear in his eyes.
Before I could even open my mouth to say something, he was already striding toward the door, moving quickly as if every moment counted.
I stood frozen, watching him go, feeling an overwhelming heaviness settle in my chest. With every step he took, my heart sank lower, until it felt as though I couldn’t breathe.
Just a moment ago, he had assured me that his feelings for Heidi were not what I had feared.
But the second Heidi called, he sprinted out the door, as if his very existence depended on it.
He called this “not what I had feared? What a joke.
The truth was glaringly clear–I meant far less to Caden than Heidi ever would.
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100%真
Pears
I pushed the car to its limits, the engine growling as I tore through the streets. My mind raced with urgency. but I kept my focus sharp, knowing there was no time to waste.
“Tessa, Tessa!” I pounded on the door, my voice firm and relentless, slicing through the tension in the air.
From inside came Heidi’s panicked screams. “Let go of me, you h*stard! Let got
A man’s voice followed, venomous and dripping with fury. “You ungrateful b*tch, it’s a miracle I even bothered with you. You think you can just run away?”
A cold weight sank in my chest. I didn’t think, didn’t hesitate. With a single, powerful kick, I broke the door
open
The sight that greeted me inside was chaos.
Heidi staggered out of the room, her hair a tangled mess, her clothes in disarray. She looked like a broken doll, wild–eyed and trembling.
Right behind her, a werewolf stood–his yellow hair and feral glare unmistakable.
“Caden, help!” Heidi’s voice cracked as she threw herself into my arms, clutching me for dear life.
The man’s voice was low and menacing. “I’ve spent a small fortune on you, taking you to bars night after night, and now you think you can just walk away? You think I’ll let you go that easily?” His eyes ran over Heidi with an unmistakable hunger, as if she was an object to possess, not a person to respect.
“I told you.” Heidi’s voice was a fragile whisper. “I quit. I’m not going back. I won’t sing anymore.”
The man’s expression twisted in disgust, his lips curling into a sneer. “Fine. No singing. But you’ll stay with me tonight, and if you do what I say, everything will be just fine.” He reached for Heidi, his hand like a claw. greedy and insistent.
Heidi flinched back, stepping closer to me, her body trembling uncontrollably. “Don’t let him come any closer, Caden. Please, I’m scared.”
I turned my gaze to the man, icy and unyielding. I raised my arm to block his advance, and with a swift motion, I shoved him hard to the ground.
“You think you can get in my way, punk?” His voice was a guttural snarl as he tried to push himself up.
I took a step forward, power surging through me, and planted my foot firmly on his chest. “Leave. Now”
The room fell deathly still, the tension thick in the air. The man’s eyes widened in sudden recognition as he looked me over, fear creeping into his features.
His voice shook as he stammered, “Y–You’re from the Eclipse Pack… Y–You’re Mr. Holbrook?”
“Yes, he is, and he’ll never let you come any closer to me!” Heidi, still clinging to my arm, shot him a venomous look. “You’d better run.”
The man scrambled to his feet, his knees bending in an exaggerated bow, his voice full of desperate apologies. “Mr. Holbrook, I didn’t know Angela was yours. I… I should’ve known better. Please, don’t hold this against me.”
I glared at him, disgust and contempt in my eyes. “I said, get out.”
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He didn’t waste a second, bolting for the door and disappearing into the night before I could blink
I turned to Heidi, brushing a stray lock of hair from her tear–streaked face. “It’s over now. You’re safe
Heidi clung to me, her body shaking as she buried her face in my chet Caden, if you hadn’t come I don’t know what would’ve happened.
I ran my hand gently over her back, trying to soothe her trembling form. “Who was be to you?”
Heidi snitlled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “He was just one of my regulars at the bar. He wouldn’t leave me alone, kept coming back. Then today, he showed up at my apartment. I never thought
Her voice cracked, but she didn’t finish. he’d try something like this. If it weren’t for you
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close as she cried quietly against me. “Tessa, it’s over. He can’t
hurt you anymore.
She wiped the last of her tears away, her eyes meeting mine, her voice barely above a whisper. “Caden, I’m so scared. Please stay with me tonight. I don’t want to be alone.”
Looking down at her–vulnerable, broken, and so desperately in need of comfort–I felt my heart twist. The words I wanted to say stuck in my throat. I didn’t need to say anything. I nodded gently, knowing there was no way I could walk away now.
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“Caden, you’re too nice!” Heidi’s warm breath brushed against my car as she spoke. The moment I agreed to stay, she reached out and wrapped her arms around my neck.
I pushed her away without a change in expression. Tessa, you’re tired. Tessa, you’re tired. Get some rest”
Tm going to take a shower first Heidi smiled and gave me a lingering look before turning toward the bathroom
I sat down on the couch, but my mind drifted elsewhere. Rosaline’s bright eyes and gentle smile surfaced in my thoughts.
1 had left in such a hurry earlier. Would Rosaline misunderstand again?
My heart sank at that thought.
Just as I pulled out my phone to call her, a sharp, terrified scream pierced through the air from the bathroom. “Ahh!”
Tessa, what’s wrong?” My heart jolted, and I shot to my feel.
*Caden, come here! I’m scared!” Heidi’s frantic voice trembled as if she had encountered something truly terrifying.
I hesitated for a second at the bathroom door.
She wasn’t Rosaline. I couldn’t just rush in like this.
Tessa, are you okay?” I knocked on the door calmly.
“There’s a cockroach!” she shrieked from inside, “Caden, please come in! I’m terrified of them!”
A cockroach.
I was relieved to hear that. “Tessa, don’t be scared. Just step on it. Or I’ll check on it after you finish your
shower.”
Heidi’s POV:
D’mn it, Caden!
I’d given him such an obvious excuse, yet he still refused to come inside.
I knew he had gone to see that Omega where, Rosaline. I racked my brain and finally came up with the idea of having a werewolf pose as a bar patron to stage an assault on me–just to lure him to my house.
Hmph, if he won’t come in, then I’ll go out!
Tonight, I will have him no matter what!
I hurriedly took a shower, slipped into a seductive nightgown, and sprayed on my favorite perfume.
Staring at my own alluring reflection in the mirror, I pushed open the bathroom door and walked out with gracefully.
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Chapter 223 To the Same Fromm
“Tessa, are you alright? Caden asked with concern the moment he saw me
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“Caden, that cockroach was huge! I was so scared My voice trembled just the right amount, and as if on cue, I pretended to lose my balance, stumbling straight into his arms.
“Tessa, are you okay? He caught me instinctively.
I pressed my body against him and let my soft curves brush against his firm muscles. My sheer nightgown left little to the imagination and I knew there was no way Caden wouldn’t be tempted,
I gazed at him with eyes filled with affection “Caden, I’m fine
Caden frowned slightly as he steadied me and took a step back. “Tessa, it’s late. You should rest.”
“Can you walk me to my room?” I reached up and rubbed my temples. “I feel a little lightheaded.”
I leaned against him completely, forcing him to hold me up. He let out a helpless sigh but he still supported me as we made our way toward the bedroom.
My heart soared.
Once we were inside, there would be no turning back.
As soon as we crossed the threshold, I seized my chance. With a sudden pull, I yanked Caden toward the bed.
He was caught off guard and lost his balance. Soon, we both tumbled onto the mattress.
You He looked at me and pushed himself up.
I clung to him tightly.
“Caden..”
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, my voice barely above a whisper as I gazed into his striking features shyly. “Do you remember? You once told me you would marry me. You said I saved your life, and you would repay me with yours.”
Before he could respond, I entwined my soft arms around his neck. My eyes shimmered with deep affection as I stared at him.
I could imagine the strength beneath his black suit. Just thinking about it sent a flush of heat through me.
Everything was perfect.
The atmosphere, the timing–it was all leading to this moment.
I licked my lips as my heart raced. My heart pounded wildly as if it were about to leap from my chest.
Tonight would be an unforgettable night.
I would become his woman, the only one he loved, the Luna of the Eclipse Pack.
With that thought, I pressed closer, desperate to erase any distance between us.
Caden’s POV:
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Chapter 223 In the Same Room
Heidi clung tightly to me and her soft body was pressing against mine. I could hear the faint, quickened rhythm of her breath.
And yet … something felt off. This intimacy felt foreign and repulsive.
I remembered that night in the darkroom when those rogue werewolves had locked us inside and released the dogs on us. She had clung to me then but her presence filled me with warmth and an inexplicable sense of longing.
However, Heidi’s touch was different now.
Why?
Suddenly, Rosaline’s voice echoed in my mind. “Are you sure Heidi is really Tessa?”
I couldn’t help but wonder if the woman before me was truly Tessa.
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Counterback of the Despined Lima
Chapter 224 I Owe Tessa
That thought flashed through my mind in an instant.
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“Caden, do you remember when we were locked in that dark room together? Back then, you were afraid of the dogs and wanted me to hold you just like this, Heidi murmured, her voice soft and alluring
As she spoke, she casually tugged at the collar of her nightgown, revealing a glimpse of her smooth skin- and the unmistakable rose birthmark on her shoulder.
Seeing that mark, I snapped back to reality.
There was no doubt about it. The rose birthmark was real. How could I have doubted Tessa?
Heidi was Tessa.
I was sure of it.
And yet-
My feelings for Tessa weren’t the same as they had been eight years ago.
Time had passed. We had grown up.
It was only natural that things had changed.
“Tessa, don’t,” I said, feeling suffocated by her embrace. I gently pushed her away, stood up, and straightened my clothes.
“Don’t you love me anymore, Caden?” Heidi’s expression faltered. “But you told me that you love me and that you were going to marry me.”
My hands stilled at the reminder, and I frowned slightly. “Tessa, those were just childhood promises.”
“But I took those childhood promises seriously.” Heidi stood up and faced me. I could see the desperation in her eyes.
“Caden, I really love you,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.” I was badly injured when I fell off that cliff all those years ago. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of you. I survived because of y
you. And all these years, I’ve never stopped thinking about you. You said you would marry me. Are you going to go back on your word now?”
Her words made guilt surge through me.
She was right. I had said those things.
And she had fallen off that cliff because she was trying to save me.
I owed Tessa my life.
*Tessa, can we talk about this another time?” I said softly, patting her hand. “You should rest now. Get some sleep, okay? Stop thinking too much.”
She bit her lip and gave me a resentful look. “Is this because of Rosaline?”
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Heidi’s eyes flashed with jealousy, “Caden, don’t forget–Rosaline broke off the engagement. She’s with Jasper now. She’s not worth-
“That’s enough, I interrupted her, “It’s late, Tessa. Go to sleep”
Heidi’s POV:
I was furious.
1 had tried so hard to seduce Caden, but all I got was his indifference?
It was clear to me now–Rosaline meant more to him than I did.
If I kept pushing him now, I would only make things worse.
I took a deep breath and forced a gentle smile. “Okay, Caden. I’ll sleep now. What about you?”
“I’ll stay here and
keep you company,” he said and strode over to the couch.
Was he willing to stay?
That meant he still cared about me.
Relieved, I lay down and turned off the lights.
In the dim glow of the moonlight, I watched Caden sitting on the couch.
I stared at his handsome face, which remained cold and distant. His brows were furrowed with a hint of frustration.
He was so close, yet he showed no reaction to my seductive body.
I clenched my fists under the covers.
Rosaline.
Caden was ignoring me because of that Omega wh*re.
I wouldn’t let her get away with this..
Caden would be mine.
Morning came, and Caden drove me to Eclipse Group.
As we entered the company building together, my eyes immediately landed on Rosaline.
She was arriving at work at the same time as us.
Is this omega still here?
Luckily, I reacted quickly. The moment I saw her tall, slender figure, I reached out and clung to Caden’s arm, my voice delicate and weak. “Caden, I suddenly feel a little dizzy. Can I lean on you?”
Caden responded with a quiet “Mm,” and I was overjoyed. I rested my head against his shoulder aking sure we looked as close as possible.
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Chapter 224 | Owe Tessa
Rosaline, look carefully. See how close Caden and I are!
Rosaline’s POV:
Watching Heidi cling to Caden with that blissful expression made my heart sink.
Last night, Caden had rushed out the moment he got Heidi’s call
And this morning, they had come to work toget
So that meant, they had spent the whole night together.
What did they do?
1 scoffed.
A man and a woman, alone in a room for an entire night–what else could they have done?
Especially when that woman was the Tessa that Caden had longed for all these years.
It was ridiculous.
Last night. Caden spoke to me as if he cared. As if he still had feelings for me.
But now, this? It was all a joke..
From the beginning to the end, the only person Caden had ever truly loved was Tessa.
Then why had he even bothered saying those things to me last night?.
What did he take me for?
I walked past them and into the secretary’s office expressionlessly.
Then I saw Heidi sitting at my desk.
I narrowed my eyes.
First my man, and now my desk?
I strode over, towering over her. That’s my seat. Move,” I said coldly.
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Chapter 225 Heartstone Jewels Rise Again
“Rosaline? Didn’t you resign!” Heidi looked up at me, feigning surprise as she widened her eyes in exaggerated shock.
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“I did, but Caden refused to approve it.” I glanced at Caden with a mocking smile. “So I had no choice but to
stay.”
“Caden, is that true? Heidi turned to him, her eyes brimming with grievance.
Caden gave a faint nod. “Tessa, this seat belongs to Rosaline. I’ll arrange another one for you
Hearing this, Heidi stood up, her face full of understanding, “Oh, Caden, I thought Rosaline had already left.
so I sat here.
She bit her lip and lowered her gaze. After a brief pause, she whispered, “Caden, don’t worry, I won’t put you in a difficult position. I’ll move right now.”
With that, Heidi gathered her things and moved to an empty seat nearby. “Caden, is it okay if I sit here?”
“Mm,” Caden responded indifferently. He had someone help set up her workspace before heading back to
his office.
I watched her little act unfold with an icy expression and sat back down at my desk.
I powered on my computer i
quickly immersed myself in work.
I had been stuck in a snowstorm and lost a few days because of my trip to Northrend to find Hughie. Now, my workload had piled up, and I needed to catch up as soon as possible.
Flipping through the latest sales reports for Ice and Fire, I sensed that something was off.
Logically, after all the publicity and the recent Heartstone Jewels plagiarism scandal–especially with the truth coming to light–the Eclipse Group had gained a significant boost in reputation. Sales for Ice and Fire should have been skyrocketing.
But instead, sales had dropped by 20%
What was going on?
This made no sense.
I quickly scanned the reports, and then called an urgent meeting to get some answers.
In the conference room, I projected the data onto the large screen and turned to Chris, the marketing director in charge of Ice and Fire sales. My voice was calm but firm.
“Chris, what’s your take on the recent drop in Ice and Fire sales?”
Chris stiffened under my sharp gaze. He hesitated for a moment before replying, “Ms. Sinclair, sales for Ice and Fire have indeed declined compared to last month.”
“What’s the reason for it?” I pressed. “A 20% decrease in just one month–why?”
Chris wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Well… recently, the market has been flooded with knocks of Ice
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Chapter 225 Heartstone Jewels Rise Again
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our brand targets high–end consumers–wealthy ladies with high standards. The presence of so many counterfeits has, in a way, diminished the perceived exclusivity of our product”
“Which company is behind this?” 1 demanded.
Chris answered truthfully, “According to our investigation, the company producing these knockoffs is none other than Heartstone Jewels.”
“Heartstone Jewels?” I raised an eyebrow in surprise.
After their plagiarism scandal, their reputation in the industry plummeted. And now, they have the audacity to pull the same trick again?
My expression darkened. “If they’re making counterfeits, why haven’t we taken action? Why haven’t we demanded a public apology, forced them to remove their products, and sued them for damages?”
“Ms. Sinclair, the issue is that Heartstone Jewels has been clever this time. Their knockoffs are designed strategically–they’ve avoided copying Ice and Fire’s signature elements outright, so legally, it doesn’t count as plagiarism. But anyone looking at them would immediately see the resemblance.” Chris sighed in frustration.
“I see. Keep a close eye on this situation,” I instructed, rubbing my temple. “You can return to work.”
I never expected that so much would happen in just a few days of absence.
In such a short time, Heartstone Jewels had managed to rise from the ashes, stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Their underhanded tactics were now causing serious damage to Eclipse Group’s jewelry business.
Given the circumstances, it was my responsibility to report this to Caden and discuss a countermeasure.
Returning to my desk, I began organizing the data I had gathered before heading to his office.
After a restless night, I needed some coffee.
Grabbing the sales report in one hand and my cup in the other, I made my way to the break room.
As I leaned down to fill my cup, the sharp sound of high heels echoed from outside.
“Rosaline!” Heidi’s voice rang behind me.
I lifted my head to see her storming in with an aggressive expression. “What do you want?” I asked with a frown.
Heidi slammed the door shut and strutted toward me with hostility. “Rosaline, since you’ve already chosen to break off your engagement with Caden and resign from Eclipse Group, why did you come back?”
I looked at her with a straight face and replied, “And what does that have to do with you?”
Heidi smirked and stepped even closer. She lowered her voice to a deliberately sultry tone. “Let me tell you something… Last night, Caden stayed over at my place. We spent the whole night together.”
As she spoke, she tugged at her collar to reveal a hickey on her neck.
Counterback of the Despined Luna.
Chapter 226 Wait and See
My heart skipped a beat. The mark wasn’t large, but to me, it was glaringly obvious.
Did Caden leave this?
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“Caden said I’m the only woman he truly loves. He’s going to marry me.” Heidi smirked provocatively. “Rosaline, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll resign immediately and never appear in front of Caden again. He only loves me. Stop trying to seduce him. Stop trying to take him away!”
I held back my disgust and smiled nonchalantly. If Caden only loves you, why are you so afraid someone will take him from you?” I clapped the stack of documents in my hands and added indifferently. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Ms. Tessford, I have a report to give to Caden.
“You–Heidi was so furious that she was at a loss for words.
Ignoring her, I stepped past and left the break room.
Though my stride remained steady, a faint ache spread through my chest.
Why did Heidi keep provoking me over and over again?
Wasn’t she already with Caden?
Then why was she so afraid of losing him? Afraid that I would take him away?
If Heidi really was Tessa, she should be confident that she had Caden’s heart in the palm of her hand.
But she was acting like this instead.
What exactly was she afraid of?
I pondered for a moment before sending Anthony a message, “Anthony, I need you to look into someone for me”
He replied almost instantly, “Who? As long as it’s not that Tessa from a hundred years ago, we’re good.”
Tessa…
I smiled wryly. It really was about Tessa.
But this time, I needed to start with Heidi.
Whether Heidi was Tessa or not… well, we’d just have to wait and see.
I sent Anthony another message, “Look into Heidi. Stage name: Angel. Former resident singer at Chroma Lounge. I need everything on her.”
Then I added, “Especially around the 18th of last month. See if anything unusual happened with her.”
The 18th of last month was the day of my engagement ceremony with Caden.
That was the day Heidi appeared in front of Caden and ruined everything.
Just like Yura said, it was too much of a coincidence.
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And coincidences like that usually weren’t coincidences at all.
My gut told me Heidi’s appearance had been orchestrated.
“Got it, Wilda. I’ll dig into it as soon as possible, Anthony responded wiftly.
“Good. I’ll be waiting.
I put my phone away and headed to the CEO’s office.
As I stood at the door, about to see Caden again, my breath hitched.
I took a deep breath to compose myself and knocked.
“Come in,” Caden’s cool voice rang out.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
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“Rosaline?” Caden stood up immediately as his gaze locked onto me. “You need something?” he asked with a faint smile.
“Yes.” I nodded calmly. Then, I walked up to his desk and placed the documents in front of him. There’s something I need to report about the Ice and Fire project.
His eyes flicked to the papers.
I continued, “From what I’ve gathered, Heartstone Jewels has recently released a large number of imitation products, which have significantly impacted Ice and Fire sales. Our revenue has dropped by 20% this month.”
“I know.” Caden’s sharp eyes narrowed. “I’ve already sent Yale to investigate.
I nodded. “Alright, I’ll get back to work then.”
Just as I turned to leave, a sudden force gripped my waist. Before I could react, I lost my balance and fell. straight into Caden’s arms.
D“mn it. He caught me off guard again.
Caden took advantage of the moment, pulling me onto the couch and trapping me beneath him.
He leaned over, his hands planted firmly on either side of me as he pressed me down.
“You came to see me… only for work?” His piercing gaze locked onto mine.
“Alpha, are you seriously going to let him keep pushing you around? You know, if you just unleashed your strength, you could throw him straight out of this building,” Freya growled in my mind.
“I didn’t want to reveal my identity before, and I definitely don’t want to now.”
I shifted slightly, only to find his grip tightening. Smirking, I retorted, “And what else would I be here for?”
Hmph. I didn’t need my Alpha strength to deal with him. I had my reasons for keeping my identity hidden
for the sake of the Shadow Pack.
Caden lips pressed into a thin line, the muscles in his chiseled face taut with displeasure.
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Chapter 226 Wait and See
Oh? Was he annoyed? Well, that wasn’t my problem.
After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Rosaline, is there really nothing else you want to say to me
“No.” I replied flatly.
“You’re not even going to ask me where I was last night?” His intense gaze bore into mine.
I scoffed. “Oh, your precious Tessa already told me.”
Caden stiffened. “Tessa? What did she say?”
I scoffed and turned my head away, refusing to look at him.
What the hell was he playing at?
After spending the night with Heidi, he still dared to ask me about it?
Was he afraid I hadn’t been humiliated enough?
Chapter 227 Could It Be a Coincidence?
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Yale’s untimely voice. “Mr. Holbrook
I seized the moment to push Caden away. “Someone’s here. Let go of me”
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Caden frowned but eventually released me. He straightened his slightly disheveled clothes and spoke in a deep voice. “Come in”
Yale entered the office and he was taken aback when he saw me.
“What is it?” Caden impatiently loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair, casting a cold glance at Yale,
Yale immediately composed himself, stepped forward, and respectfully reported, “Mr. Holbrook. I’ve found some information on Heartstone Jewels.
“Go on,” Caden said, his expression unreadable.
Yale opened the file in his hands, handed it to Caden, and explained, “Ever since the plagiarism incident, Heartstone Jewels has suffered severe damage–not just to its reputation but also to its business operations. Their financial chain collapsed, and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy.”
I frowned. “If Heartstone Jewels is in such bad shape, then how is it still posing such a threat to us?”
“Because someone bought out Heartstone Jewels,” Yale replied, glancing at me.
“Bought it out?” Caden’s tone carried a hint of surprise.
I was just as puzzled.
Who would acquire a company riddled with scandals and on the brink of collapse?
“Yes,” Yale nodded firmly.
Caden’s expression darkened. “Who bought it?”
Yale pointed at the document on the desk. “A company from Aurion called Baxter Pty Ltd, or BPL for short.”
Aurion?
My heart skipped a beat.
If I remember correctly, the maintenance worker, Isaac, who had tampered with the chandelier that nearly fell on me had his accident in Aurion.
And now, the company that had acquired Heartstone Jewels, Baxter Pty Ltd, was also based in Aurion.
Was this really just a coincidence?
“BPL?” Caden’s face grew even colder. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk as he asked, “Do we have any information on this company?”
Yale flipped through his papers and reported, “From what I found online, BPL was established a fe ago. It has a broad business scope, covering real estate, jewelry, cosmetics, and fashion across the Werewolf Continent. Since its founding, it has expanded rapidly, growing into a formidable player in just a few short
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He hesitated for a moment before continuing. There are rumors that BPI made its fortune through underground dealings.”
“Underground dealings?” Caden’s lips curled slightly.
I was taken aback. A company built on illegal dealings
No wonder I’d never heard of it before:
Caden’s brows furrowed. “Who founded this company? What’s their background?”
Yale respectfully replied, “The CEO of BPL is extremely low–key and mysterious. All we know is that he’s an immigrant from Aurion. Other than that, there’s no information available on him.”
An immigrant from Aurion?
Low–key and mysterious?
A fortune made through illegal dealings?
I searched my memory but couldn’t think of anyone who fit the description of this CEO.
For someone from the underground, keeping a low profile was expected.
However, this particular CEO had not only acquired Heartstone Jewels but had also immediately launched imitation Ice and Fire jewelry, aggressively targeting Eclipse Group’s market. Was this just an opportunistic move? Or was it a deliberate attack on us?
The situation was becoming more and more complicated.
“Keep investigating, Caden ordered.
“Yes, Mr. Holbrook.” Yale nodded and then left the office.
I followed him out.
Just as I stepped forward, Caden’s deep voice stopped me.
“Rosaline, wait.”
I halted and turned back. “Caden, what now?”
I really didn’t want to stay any longer. This man loved to push me around, always finding excuses to touch
- me.
Caden’s face darkened slightly. “We’re still on work hours. What I need to discuss with you is business- related.
“The Ice and Fire issue has already been addressed,” I replied, instinctively taking a step back–just in case he tried something again.
“It’s about another project.” Caden’s gaze swept over me before he continued in a serious tone.
1 frowned slightly. “Another project?”
“Yes.” He pulled a file from his drawer. “This is for the Azure B
Bay project. Take a look.”
Chapter 227 Could It Be a Coincidence?
My eyes fell on the thick stack of documents on his desk, confusion flickering across my face.
A new project for Azure Bay?
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“In a few days, the government will be opening bids for a piece of land near Azure Bay, Caden explained. watching my expression closely. “I plan to develop a large–scale amusement park there.”
An amusement park….
Suddenly, the memories of our time at the amusement park in Fostrau flashed in my mind.
On the Ferris wheel, he had kissed me.
He had told me. The top of the Ferris wheel is the closest place to happiness. If lovers kiss at the highest point, they’ll stay together forever. Just like us.”
Together forever…
How ridiculous it was.
The memory made my mind drift for a moment.
“Caden, you must be exhausted after staying up all night. Have some coffee to wake up.”
Heidi suddenly pushed the door open and walked in, holding a cup of coffee.
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Heidi’s voice jolted me back to reality.
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Her sweet, delicate tone might have sounded pleasant to others, but
“Stayed up all night must be exhausted
to me, it was grating
It didn’t take much imagination to figure out what she and Caden had been doing
“Caden, try this. I made this coller just for you. Heidi sauntered gracefully to his side, offering the cup with a soft smile.
1 had no intention of staying a second longer, Grabbing the Azure Bay project files, I said coldly to Caden. Tll head back to work now. I’ll go over the Azure Bay project in detail.”
Just as I was about to leave, Heidi suddenly spoke up.
“Rosaline, wait.”
I ignored her completely and walked out of the office without looking back.
The moment I stepped out, my phone buzzed with a message from Anthony, “Wilda, I found some basic information on Heidi.”
A surge of excitement shot through me. I immediately replied, “Send it to me.”
Within seconds, an email arrived. I opened it and scanned the contents.
Heidi, female, 21 years old.
“Height: 5 feet 2. Weight: Unknown.
“Father: Eric Tessford, a taxi driver in Rivemon, an Omega. Injured in a car accident two years ago, now has difficulty walking.
“Mother: Jenny Lovell, unemployed, an Omega, stays at home farming.
“Family was impoverished. Had an older brother who passed away at the age of eight.
“The Tessfords strongly preferred sons over daughters. Around the age of four. Heidi was kidnapped by traffickers. After that, there was a long gap in her records. Roughly in her teenage years, she was adopted by a werewolf family in Aurion, rising to Beta status under their influence. She eventually settled in Aurion.
“Six months ago, Heidi returned to her biological parents and started working as a resident singer at Chroma Lounge.”
Aurion?
Aurion again?!
How could it be such a coincidence?
I stared at my phone screen intently.
Chapter 228 The Mystery Deepens
Hah! So Heidi was the real Omega all along.
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I thought for a moment and sent Anthony another message, “Can you find out who adopted Heidi? Also, I need details on her life in Aurion.”
Anthony replied promptly. “Nothing yet, but I’ll keep digging. Give me some time, Wilda”
I responded with a single word, Hurry”
Something about Heidi didn’t sit right with me.
Where had she been all those missing years?
Why was that period completely erased, even from Anthony’s reach?
Was she Tessa?
And most importantly, what was she hiding?
I pondered for a moment, then sent Anthony another message, “Look into Baxter Pty Ltd as well.”
“On it!” Anthony responded instantly.
Baxter Pty Ltd’s CEO was an Aurion immigrant, and Heidi had been raised in Aurion. Could there be a link?
Or was it all just a coincidence? After all, Aurion was a massive place.
I could only hope the truth would come to light soon.
Heidi’s POV:
Watching Rosaline walk away without even acknowledging me, a wave of hatred surged in my chest.
That lowly Omega had deliberately ignored me.
I took a deep breath, pushing down my resentment, and turned back to Caden with a soft smile. “Caden, what was that Azure Bay project Ms. Sinclair mentioned?”
“It’s a new real estate project,” Caden replied absentmindedly.
My eyes flickered with curiosity. I hesitated, then asked tentatively, “Can I be a part of it?”
Caden glanced at me and said indifferently, “Tessa, you just joined the company. I’d recommend starting with simpler projects first.”
“Caden, I’ve been studying every day. Wouldn’t it be better if I gained some hands–on experience?” I clung to his arm and pouted. “Please?”
Faced with my relentless persuasion, Caden hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Alright, you can join the project.”
“You’re the best, Caden!” I beamed and, on impulse, leaned in to press a quick kiss on his cheek.
It was so sudden that he didn’t have time to react.
Perfect Inst the effect I wanted
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09:02 Wed, 19 Mar –
Chapter 228 The Mystery Deepens
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By the time he did, I had already stepped back “Tll head back to work now. Don’t forget to drink your
coffee.”
Feeling pleased with myself, I strutted back to the secretarial office in my heels.
Rosaline was engrossed in the Azure Bay project files. I walked up and deliberately blocked the light from her desk.
Only then did she look up at me briefly before returning to her work.
I sneered inwardly. Looking down at her, I said with a smug smile, “Rosaline, Caden just told me that I’ll be working on the Azure Bay project with you. Brief me on the details.
Rosaline met my gaze with mild exasperation. “Is that so?”
“Of course.” I lifted
my chin proudly,
“Sorry, but Caden didn’t mention that to me.” She brushed me off and resumed her work.
I clenched my fists. How dare she ignore me?
Fine. Let’s see how she handles this.
I pulled out my phone and called Caden. My voice dripped with feigned innocence as I spoke, “Caden. didn’t you say I’d be working on the Azure Bay project? Rosaline said I’m not qualified. Can you tell her yourself?”
Caden’s voice came through the line. “Got it.”
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Come to My Birthday Party
Rosaline’s POV:
The phone on my desk rang.
It was the internal line with the number “888“. Caden was calling.
Heidi’s complaints got a response this quickly?
Caden really does
spoil her.
I picked up the phone. “Caden, what is it?”
“Let Heidi be part of the Azure Bay project. You can assign her some simple tasks, Caden said.
“Got it,” I replied coldly and hung up.
Caden was really letting Heidi work on the same project as me? What was he trying to do?
Was this his way of getting under my skin?
“See? I wasn’t lying.” Heidi said smugly. “Now, can you explain the project to me?”
“Ms. Tessford, you’re so smart. Surely, you don’t need me to explain anything.” I patted the stack of documents on my desk before shoving them into Heidi’s arms. “Take them and read for yourself.”
“You-!” Her face darkened.
“What? Don’t tell me you can’t understand them.” I gave a cold smile.
“Who says I can’t?” She shot me a glare before storming back to her seat.
I had already skimmed through the documents earlier and had a general understanding of the Azure Bay project. I was about to do some additional research online when my phone suddenly rang.
I glanced down. It was Yura.
“Yura, what’s up?” I answered the call.
Her gentle voice came through the phone. “Hey, I’m planning to head back to Phoshire tonight.”
“So suddenly? Did something happen at Loe Studio?” I rubbed my temples.
“Not at all,” Yura chuckled. “I’ve been away for a while and feel uneasy. I should head back and keep an eye on things.”
ginally, Yura had come to attend my engagement ceremony with Caden, but so much had happened since then. I had called off the engagement, then got caught in an avalanche and went missing. She had been by my side, helping with everything.
She’d been through a lot.
She had been away for a long time. It made sense for her to return and handle things at Loe Studio.
Chapter 229 Come to My Birthday Party
“It’s at 11 PM, Yura replied.
“Alright. I’ll pick you up from the hotel after work.”
After finishing work, I drove straight to her hotel.
“Over here!” Yura waved at me from the entrance.
I pulled up in front of her. “Hop in!”
Sliding into the passenger seat, she glanced around. “Nice car. Is it Jasper’s car?”
“Yeah, he lent it to me,” I replied casually.
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I had considered buying a car since I would be staying here for a while, but fasper insisted on lending me his instead.
“Really? I think he bought it just for you,” Yura teased with a grin. “It’s exactly your style. Looks like Jasper knows you pretty well.”
As soon as she finished speaking, my phone rang with a pleasant chime.
Seeing Jasper’s name flashing on the screen, Yura stuck out her tongue. “Wow, speak of the devil.”
I rolled my eyes at her and answered the call through my headset. “Jasper, what is it?”
“Rosaline, are you off work?” His deep voice came through the line..
“Yeah. I’m taking Yura to the airport right now,” I replied evenly. “Do you need something?”
“Do you right?
remember that it’s my birthday in two days?” Jasper asked. “I’m throwing a party. You’re coming.
His birthday was coming up already?
I tilted my head, thinking. He was right–it was around this time.
A headache crept up on me.
Jasper would confess his feelings to me every year on his birthday.
And every year, I would turn him down as gently as I could, making it clear where we stood. But he never
gave up.
“Rosaline?” He sounded a little nervous when I didn’t respond. “Are you still there?”
“I’m listening. I’ll be there,” I said calmly.
“Great! I have some good news to share with you then,” he said excitedly.
“Alright. See you then.”
After hanging up, I massaged my temples.
What kind of good news was he talking about? As long as it wasn’t another confession.
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Chapter 229 Come to My Birthday Party
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I sped toward the airport.
“Rosaline, honestly, I think Caden still cares about you,” Yura said as we walked toward the terminal.
I smiled faintly but didn’t comment.
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“I mean it. Yura insisted. “You didn’t see how panicked he was when I told him you went missing in the avalanche. He went crazy searching for you. If it weren’t for him, things could’ve ended terribly‘
“He saved me, and I’m grateful for it,” I said quietly.
But… did Caden search so desperately because he cared about me?
Or was it because of Richard’s illness?
After all, I was the only one who could find Hughie, and only Hughie could cure Richard.
“Rosaline, stop lying to yourself,” Yura sighed. “I can tell that you still love Caden. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be this bothered by Tessa.”
Hearing that name made my heart sink.
I couldn’t deny it. I still had feelings for Caden.
But-
Caden already had Tessa and Heidi was constantly flaunting their relationship in front of me.
Saying it didn’t hurt would be a lie.
Unless I could prove that Heidi wasn’t actually Tessa…
Then everything would fall into place.
Lost in thought, I was about to speak as I absentmindedly glanced at Yura.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed, and I collided with something hard.
A sharp pain shot through my forehead. I looked up to see that I had bumped into a man.
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The man was probably in his early thirties. He wore dark sunglasses and a sharp gray suit that highlighted his tall, broad frame. His tan skin gave him an almost commanding presence. He was pushing a suitcase, likely just having stepped off a plane.
“I’m sorry!” I quickly apologized. “Sir, I didn’t mean to run into you. Are you alright?”
The man took off his sunglasses, his gaze meeting mine for a brief moment. After a few seconds of silence, he replied casually, “I’m fine.”
With a final glance, he turned away and walked off, pushing his suitcase.
There was something odd about the way he looked at me, but if he was alright, that was what mattered.
“Rosaline, do you know him?” Yura asked, watching the man walk away.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”
“Why do I get the feeling that guy looked at you weird?” Yura pressed further.
I shrugged, uninterested. “Who knows? Let’s just forget about it.”
Yura nodded and quickly returned to our previous conversation. “Honestly. Caden is someone rare. You shouldn’t just give up on him.”
“When did I ever say I was giving up?” I responded, brushing my bangs out of my face, my tone a bit colder.
The truth was, I was conflicted inside.
To me, Caden had always been in love with Tessa. My pride wouldn’t let me beg or fight Heidi for him. But simply letting go of what we had wasn’t easy either.
For now, my plan was to look deeper into Heidi’s intentions and make sure Caden saw her for who she truly
was.
“That’s the Rosaline I know,” Yura said, giving me an encouraging thumbs–up. “Anyway, my flight is soon. I’ve got to go.”
“Safe travels.” I waved at her.
She glanced back with a hopeful smile. “I hope I hear good news from you soon.”
As I watched Yura walk toward her gate, a sense of reluctance settled over me.
As the Alpha of Shadow Pack, I was lucky to have a friend like Yura.
I got into my car and drove off toward the city.
Chapter 230 An Unexpected Encounter at the Airport
Out of nowhere, I saw a Maserati swerve off the road.
There was a deafening crash as the car hit the guardrail, jolting violently.
A car accident!
I immediately slammed on the brakes, threw open the car door, and rushed to the scene.
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I pulled open the door of the Maserati and found a man slumped over the steering wheel, his face looking vaguely familiar.
“Sir, are you okay?” I gently tapped his shoulder, but he didn’t respond.
Not seeing anyone else around, I released my Alpha aura and carefully pulled him from the car.
Once he was out, I froze for a second.
It was the same man from the airport earlier. What a strange coincidence…
I quickly scanned the area–no one had passed by.
The man had a large bump on his forehead, and it was bleeding badly. He needed help right away.
I hurriedly helped him into my car, grabbed a first aid kit from the trunk, and used bandages to stop the bleeding. Then, I drove him straight to the hospital.
At the hospital, the doctor examined him thoroughly. “He has a head injury, but it’s nothing too serious. We’ll keep him here for observation. He should wake up soon.”
The doctor paused and glanced at me. “Are you family?”
“I don’t know him,” I replied, offering a small smile. “I’m not sure how to contact his family.”
“I see… The doctor adjusted his glasses, clearly uncomfortable.
“I’ve already contacted the police,” I added. “They’ll be in touch with his family.
I had checked the man’s clothes, but there was nothing that could help identify him. It seemed like we’d have to wait for him to wake up or for the police to find his relatives,
“Alright then,” the doctor said, nodding, and left the room.
I looked at the time and realized it was already well past midnight. Since the man wasn’t in immediate danger, there was no reason to stay any longer.
As I was about to leave the room, a cold, stern voice interrupted me from behind..
“Stop! Who are you?”
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