Chapter 2

Uncle Nigel was nearly 40 and still a virgin. When did people start painting him as some heartless womanizer who fooled around everywhere?

Tina seemed to notice that I didn't believe it, so she pulled out her phone and opened Peyton's social media page.

When I saw the person in the photo, I froze as well.

Uncle Nigel was wearing a sharply tailored suit, standing in front of a luxury car. The person beside him was Peyton.

Peyton had added a caption.

[I'm going out of town for my internship. Dad wouldn't stop worrying, so he insisted on seeing me off. In his eyes, I'll always be the kid who hasn't grown up yet.]

Still confused, I took out my phone and called Uncle Nigel, but all I heard was a cold, automated voice telling me the phone was turned off.

When I didn't respond for a long time, Peyton shot me a vicious look.

"Eunice, just wait! I'll make you regret crossing me."

Sure enough, I experienced Peyton's revenge the very next day.

At the pack’s general assembly, the Alpha announced in front of everyone that Peyton had received this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award, with a bonus of 40 thousand dollars.

Everyone knew those honors should have been mine, but Peyton had snatched them away like it was nothing.

The pack members below the stage looked conflicted, but afraid of getting dragged into trouble, they could only clap in silence.

I couldn't suppress my anger anymore. I stood up abruptly and questioned Matt in front of the entire pack.

"Matt, I'd like to ask what criteria you're using for Outstanding Contribution Award of the year. Over the past year, I've been traveling nonstop to negotiate partnerships for the pack. I closed at least eight or nine major deals and brought in billions in revenue. Peyton has only been here three months and hasn't secured a single deal. On what basis does she deserve the title?"

The room went completely silent, and only Peyton stepped forward.

"Because none of those achievements came honestly.

"You might think you got us all fooled, but I know you got those deals by selling yourself. Our pack absolutely won't allow that kind of behavior.

"You've damaged the pack's reputation. You're lucky Mr. White hasn't exiled you already."

"Don't slander me. Do you have any proof?"

As the tension between us grew thicker, Matt suddenly slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Enough! This is a conference room, not a place for you to argue."

Then he turned to me with a stern expression.

"Eunice, rumors don't appear out of nowhere. If Peyton dares to say this, there must be some legitimacy to it. I stayed silent earlier to save you some dignity and avoid making things ugly. But if you keep causing trouble, I'll have to reconsider whether you still belong in this pack."

"I'm causing trouble?" My eyes burned red, and my voice trembled.

"Ever since you took over, I've been your Beta, standing by your side and giving everything to support you. In your eyes, am I really just a she-wolf who trades her body for results?

"When I went to remote packs to negotiate deals, I ran into rogues and almost lost my life. And you say I'm causing trouble?

"I work overtime every night, exhausting myself writing proposals. And you say I'm causing trouble?

"Just because of one baseless accusation from her, all my work gets erased, and my deals are labeled shady. Do you honestly think that's fair?"

Matt was left speechless for a moment, but Peyton showed no guilt at all. She looked at me with smug satisfaction.

"Fair?" She let out a mocking laugh. "This world was never fair to begin with. Whoever has power and influence controls the narrative. Instead of making a spectacle of yourself here, you should find out how you can be born into a better family next time."

She didn't bother hiding the contempt on her face. "The Alpha King's my dad. Because of that, you'll never beat me in this lifetime."

The more she talked, the more worked up she became. I honestly couldn't understand where her confidence came from.

Could it be that Uncle Nigel really did have a secret child, just like the rumors said?

I scoffed. "If you're really the Alpha King's daughter, why would you fight me for a title and a bonus? Is it possible that your identity is fake?"

Peyton glared at me viciously. "Mr. White stripped you of your title because you didn't deserve it. I earned mine with my own ability!"