Third Person's POVAdelaide decided she needed to first understand Alger's character. If he was reliable, she would then discuss it with Zelda and of course, seek the man's consent as well.After her failed marriage to Ulrik, Adelaide believed marriage shouldn't be solely parent-arranged; mutual attraction was essential."Are you mad?" Priscilla asked, noticing her silence."No," Adelaide replied, snapping back to reality. "Just thinking."Priscilla generously pulled out some money, "Here, as promised, half of what I recovered. I won't go back on my word."Adelaide chuckled, "Keep your money. I can't accept it.""No?" Priscilla was puzzled. "Then why go to such lengths to help me confront Madison?""You're Lance's mother now. I had to stand up for you against those who swindled you," Adelaide said.Priscilla looked at Adelaide's cool profile and recalled the scene at Madison's manor when she was shivering with cold, and Adelaide instinctively wrapped her in her cloak.Her heart warmed
Third Person's POVMadison had to cough up the cash since the check couldn't cover the amount.Her family's wealth was evident as she produced over twenty million dollars without much trouble, though her pained expression suggested it hurt her deeply.The facade of harmony was shattered, but at least they got back what was rightfully theirs and the stolen money—no loss there.This hypocritical peace was never worth maintaining."Let's go!"Madison and her daughter watched Adelaide walk away—her posture, no longer polite, radiated an unassailable strength."Adelaide!" Madison gritted her teeth, powerless to act.Wanda's mint pheromones turned sour, her wolf ears drooping in anger. "Years of effort down the drain, all because of that woman Adelaide. I won't let her off the hook."Her hardened nails dug into her palm, and the temporary mark on her neck oozed tiny red bumps.Though Madison also despised Adelaide, hearing her daughter's words, she swiftly warned, "Don't provoke her. You're
Third Person's POVWanda was furious.She didn't believe Adelaide was playing dumb.And Priscilla, acting the fool, hadn't made things difficult for Adelaide after she joined the Blackthorn Pack. Instead, she'd teamed up with her to demand money.Previously, Priscilla had claimed to despise Adelaide, but there was no sign of it now.Just now, the two of them were cuddling together—anyone unaware would have thought they were mother and daughter.As Madison spoke, "Priscilla, come with me. I need to talk to you privately," she realized Madison was trying to create a rift between them.Adelaide was a relentless hound, fixated on Wanda over the wolf-head statue incident. There was no way she'd negotiate peacefully."Oh," Priscilla started to rise but was held back by Adelaide.She froze, meeting the cold gaze of her son's mate, and sat back down.Adelaide tightened her grip on Priscilla and said with a smile, "Let's talk here. We have no secrets."Madison sneered, "Who's in charge of the
Third Person's POVPriscilla wasn't a fool and knew Adelaide was deliberately freezing her out, so she huddled closer to Adelaide for warmth.Adelaide spread her cloak and wrapped her in it.Priscilla gratefully leaned on Adelaide, Lance's mate, and even dozed off.Two hours passed, the sky had darkened, and the cold had intensified.The finance manager reported, "Madison, the accounts are verified—they match Luna Adelaide's records.""How dare he!"Madison smashed another cup, the loud clang jolting Priscilla awake.She blinked owlishly at Madison's rage.Madison seethed, "That bastard, falsifying accounts to embezzle Priscilla and Wanda's money? I'll punish him severely."Adelaide released Priscilla and said, "The ledgers check out. Since Johnson embezzled, I'll hand him over to the judiciary. He'll repay every cent.""Adelaide!"Madison's tone softened. She sighed, "Wanda was negligent, allowing such fraud. Johnson's from the Glenveil Pack. If this goes public, it'll harm both Glen
Third Person's POVAdelaide's whip snapped to the side, ruffling the wolf warriors' fur.They caught the dual scent in her pheromones—the cedar of the Frostfang Pack and the fir of the Ironthorn soldiers, resonating in her blood.When Wanda snarled, the fresh rash on her neck flared up."Odd," Adelaide mused, tapping the ledger with her wolf claws, "We're just here to reconcile accounts. Why all the fuss?""Did you embezzle the dividends, Wanda?" she asked.Her pheromones pressed down, souring Wanda's instantly."You're lying!" Wanda snapped, all bluster but reeking of guilt.As servants lifted the boxes, Adelaide caught the distant howl."Let's hope you're not lying. Since you won't check, Priscilla and I will visit the Glenveil Pack."She barred the wolf warriors with her whip and ordered the omegas, "Load the ledgers—we're heading to Glenveil."The warriors didn't dare stop them. Shielded by Adelaide, the omegas carried the chests out.Ignoring Madison's livid face, Adelaide waved
Third Person's POV"Mom!" Wanda looked up, puzzled why her mother would undermine them—of course they should deny it.Madison, seeing her daughter's blank stare, sighed inwardly, "Fool! The ledger was taken from the jewelry store—there must be witnesses. A handwriting comparison with Johnson would reveal the truth. How could she claim it's fake?"She snapped, "Wanda, how do you manage your staff? Never visit the store? Not even aware of being deceived? How can you face Priscilla?"Wanda finally caught on, anger flaring, "Johnson dare cheat me? How dare he! I'll summon him right now!"She signaled to the steward, who started to leave, but Adelaide coolly said, "No need. I've detained that deceitful Johnson at the Blackthorn Pack. Once you confirm you were also duped, I'll have him bound and sent to the judiciary."Adelaide sipped her coffee, smiling faintly, "I'm a decisive person. The ledger is here. Call your accountants now, as many as you like. If you're short on staff, I'll send f