جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 340

Benjamin's POV"I still don't understand why I have to be here."I adjusted the cuff of my black suit as the car rolled through the iron gates of the Estate.Jade, sitting beside me, sighed dramatically. "You've asked that six times already, relax."The family hosting the event wasn't insignificant, they were hardly worth my attention. Their influence extended only through a handful of businesses within Red Crescent Pack's territory.Normally, I would have sent one of my subordinates in my place. But Jade's father was the wealthiest businessman in Red Crescent. His investments supported nearly a third of our pack's commercial expansion.As much as I disliked political banquets… Maintaining that relationship was useful.Jade smiled as the servants hurried to open my door. "My father will be delighted you came." She linked her arm through mine and I resisted the urge to sigh.Ever since Iris left...Jade had become increasingly confident that she would eventually stand beside me. The

Iris's POVGraduation should have been one of the happiest moments of my life. Instead, I stared blankly at the grades displayed on my laptop screen.I had passed but barely. A few average scores and one disappointing result. Nothing remarkable or worthy of celebration.I let out a quiet sigh and closed the screen.Around me, my classmates were laughing, taking pictures, and already making plans for the future."I got accepted into the National Research Center!" , "My father finally handed me the company branch!" , "I'm joining the Army diplomatic corps next month!" , "I start Alpha Officer training next week!"Everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going. Everyone except me."What about you, Iris?" One of my classmates smiled. "Any plans?"I forced a smile. "I'm... still deciding."It wasn't entirely a lie. I simply had no idea what I wanted anymore. Months ago, I had imagined graduating beside Benjamin, we would have celebrated together. Maybe looked at houses to spend the

Iris's POVThe excitement I had felt stepping off the train disappeared within minutes. My backpack still hung over my shoulder but everything important was gone.I searched every pocket over and over again, hoping I had simply misplaced them, but the truth was someone had cleaned me out before I even realized it.I laughed bitterly. "So much for surviving on my own."For a brief moment, I considered calling Mom. I had memorized her number. All I needed was a borrowed phone and she and Dad would have me home before sunset.But I clenched my fists.The first challenge was finding somewhere to sleep. By late evening, I stood outside a modest family-owned hotel near the train station. I contemplated for a while before I entered.The elderly owner smiled politely. "Checking in?""I..." I hesitated. "I would be but….""My cash and credit cards were stolen."His smile faded sympathetically."I don't have any money right now. But..." I straightened my shoulders. "If you let me stay tonight,

Iris's POVI had officially worked at Pillar Holdings for three weeks.Every morning, I woke up before sunrise in my tiny rented room, changed into the same few sets of cheap office clothes I had managed to buy after receiving my first paycheck, and caught the city bus to work.The journey took almost an hour.By the time I reached the headquarters, expensive cars were already pulling into the parking lot. I never paid much attention to them. After all, I wasn't one of those people, I was just an assistant.Pillar Holdings was unlike any company I had ever imagined. The building itself felt like a city. Thousands of employees worked inside. Scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, business executives, security personnels and many more.I worked on the ground floor in the Medical Research Division. Officially, my title was Medical Research Assistant. But in reality...I did everything.I sorted laboratory samples, organized patient reports, sterilized equipment, prepared research file

Kristian's POVFive hours later, the address finally came to an end but my heart and wolf weren't satisfied. I had abruptly organized this meeting months before its scheduled date because I couldn't wait until I came to this particular headquarters.Pillar Holdings was one of my three global companies but was under my beta Harrison control. I had practically left him in charge for years until I had randomly come across a job application as I was doing a spot check on our hiring team portal.The name Iris suddenly caught my attention and I ordered my Beta Harrison to find a job for her in the company. Though he was confused, he still did it. A month later, I told him we should have the Pillar Holding meeting and as expected, he had been even more confused.I hadn't told him the real reason for