<b>Chapter </b><b>205</b><b>: </b><b>Proposals</b><b>–</b><b>1</b>.


    <b>Chapter </b>205: Proposals


    (Olivia’s POV)


    Over the weekend, I took Emma Thompson to Harbor City to meet a client. The business <b>trip </b><b>had </b>gone smoothly, and we were walking through the upscale shopping district when I spotted a familiar <b>figure</b>.


    Sophie Parker stood outside an expensive boutique, her perfectly styled blonde hair catching <b>the </b>afternoon sunlight. She wore a designer dress that probably cost more than most werewolves made in a month.


    My steps slowed involuntarily. Sophie had been one of the werewolves who frequently attended the same elite pack gatherings as Ethan Grey. I remembered her from those ufortable social events where I often felt like an outsider among the Grey pack’s inner circle.


    Sophie noticed me and her face lit up with what appeared to be genuine delight. “Olivia<b>! </b>What <b>a </b>wonderful surprise!”


    She approached with arms outstretched, as if we were old friends reuniting after years apart. The familiar scent of her expensive perfume brought back memories I’d rather forget.


    “Hello, Sophie,” I replied politely, keeping my distance.


    Emma stood beside me, sensing the tension in my posture. Her protective instincts as my assistant kicked in, though she remained silent.


    “You look absolutely radiant,” Sophie gushed, her eyes scanning my appearance with the calcting gazel remembered so well. “Harbor City suits you.”


    “Thank you,” I said simply.


    Sophie’s smile widened. “We simply must catch up properly. There’s this amazing new restaurant that just opened – very exclusive, perfect for our kind. Let me treat you to dinner tonight.”


    The invitation hung in the air between us. Part of me wanted to refuse immediately, but politeness held my tongue for a moment.


    “That’s very kind of you, but I’m afraid I can’t,” I declined gently.


    Sophie’s expression faltered slightly. “Oh,e now. Surely you can spare a few hours for an old friend?”


    Old friend. The words stung more than they should have.


    I remembered buying a tinum wolf pendant worth tens of thousands of dors for Sophie’s birthday<b>. </b>It <b>had </b>been thetest design from a prestigious jewelry house, identical to the one Cassandra had given <b>her</b>.


    At that same party, other pack members had ridiculed me for supposedly buying a fake nec remained silent, tacitly agreeing with their mockery.


    <b>ophie </b><b>had </b>


    From that day on, I saw Sophie clearly. Like Ethan’s other friends, she looked down on me from <b>the </b><b>bottom </b><b>of </b>her heart, thinking I wasn’t worthy of being friends with werewolves in their elite <b>circle</b>.


    “I really do have priormitments,” I said firmly. “Perhaps another time.”


    Sophie’s mask slipped for just a moment, revealing the disdain I remembered <b>so well</b><b>. </b><b>But </b><b>she </b><b>quickly </b>


    <Chapter <b>205 </b><b>Proposals </b>1


    <b>recovered</b><b>, </b><b>her </b><b>smile </b><b>returning</b>.


    T


    “<b>Of </b><b>course</b><b>, </b><b>I </b>understand. You must be terribly busy with your… <b>legal </b>work<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    <b>The </b>slight pause before “legal work” spoke volumes. Even now, she couldn’t quite hide <b>her </b>condescension


    “Yes, very busy,<b>” </b>I agreed. “Emma, we should go.”


    Emma nodded immediately, falling into step beside me as we walked away.


    I stayed in Harbor City for three days, handling client meetings and reviewing case files. When <b>I </b>returned to Riverdale, it was already May 20th, Wednesday.


    As I got off the ne and came out of the VIP channel of the business ss, I saw Connor Rivers waiting outside at a nce.


    My steps slowed involuntarily. Why is he here?


    Connor was wearing a dark gray suit, his shoulder line straight, and his casual posture revealed <b>an </b><b>innate </b>sense of nobility that marked him as an Alpha. Other werewolves in the terminal instinctively gave him space, recognizing his dominant aura.


    I walked over, raised my eyes to look at the man in front of me, and said in a cold tone, “How did <b>you </b>know I


    wasing back today?”


    “I checked your flight information,” Connor replied simply.


    The casual admission irritated me. “My family’s driver will pick me up, there’s no need for Alpha Rivers to


    make this trip.”


    After saying that, I didn’t stop and walked towards the parking lot. Emma followed me, dragging a suitcase.


    (Connor’s POV)


    I quickly caught up and snatched the suitcase from Emma’s hands. “Olivia, take my car, <b>I </b>have two new legal cases that need to be entrusted to you.”


    Olivia stopped and turned <i>to </i>look at me. Her amber eyes held that familiar wariness I was trying so hard to


    ovee.


    “I brought all the Rivers Pack Legal Case Portfolio materials, they’re in the car. Come with me to take a look,” I


    said seriously.


    “Okay,” Olivia replied after a moment’s hesitation.


    If it was work, then she really couldn’t refuse. I felt a surge of satisfaction at finding a legitimate reason to spend time with her.


    My slender hands dragged the suitcase’s handle, and my superior height andmanding <b>presence </b>


    zed <b>my </b>attracted the attention of many passersby along the way. Other werewolves instinctively rec


    dominant aura.


    <b>Comments </b>