“Come on, one more,” Chole said, trying to hide the frustration in her eyes.” I’m just getting warmed up.”


    ”


    I nced at her, then at Ethan, who still hadn’t said a word. Melina watched from the side, clearly annoyed but not stepping in.


    “Sure,” I replied, picking up another ring, my tone casual.” Let’s keep going.”


    We kept ying. I hit the pir again. And again. Chole’s throws grew wilder, her aim less precise, her confidence visibly cracking. Melina’s eyes darted between us, her polished exterior slipping as her face twisted into an increas- ingly sour expression. She nced at Ethan, clearly expecting him to intervene, but he just stood there.


    I picked up my final ring, tossed it with a casual flick of my wrist, and it spun neatly around theMoon Pironce


    more.


    Chole’s forced smile finally shattered. Her eyes filled with tears, and a small, broken sound escaped her throat. She clutched thest ring tightly, her fingers shaking, then let it tter to the ground as she stumbled toward Ethan.


    Ethan stepped forward, his face hard, eyes cold. He snatched the gold ring from my hand, his jaw clenched.


    “That’s enough,” he said, his voice low but sharp.


    Chole threw herself into his arms, her shoulders shaking as she buried her face in his chest: Ethan’s expression soft- ened, his arming up to hold her gently, fingers stroking her back in slow,forting circles. Melina quickly stepped in, wrapping an arm around Chole, whispering something I couldn’t hear.


    “Really, Olivia?” Melina’s eyes snapped to me, sharp and furious.”It’s just a game. Was it necessary to take it so seri- ously?”


    I didn’t respond, just slowly stepped back, setting myst ring down on the side table.


    Melina’s eyes bored into me, “Youe from an ordinary family. You think beingpetitive is the only way to gain respect?”


    Her words hit like a p.


    I nced at Ethan, expecting… what? Defense? Support? But his eyes were distant, his face like a faded photograph, all the vibrance I once admired now washed out and cold.


    Forget it. There are only twenty days left. I shouldn’t care.


    I stood up, ready to leave, my pulse still racing.


    0.0 %


    13:18


    “Stop, you are hurting us,” Yve’s voice echoed in my mind.


    I nced down at my hand, my fingers curled so tightly that my nails had broken the skin. I hadn’t even noticed.


    Then, I turned on my heel and walked toward the door.


    “Olivia-“Ethan’s voice followed me, sharp and angry.


    I didn’t stop.


    I pushed through the grand double doors of the Hawthorne Manor and got into my car, my chest heaving as I gripped the steering wheel.


    My phone buzzed beside me. Ethan. I ignored it and finally, I blocked his number.


    My hands still shook as I pulled out onto the road, the tires crunching against the gravel as I sped away from the man- sion.


    I reached for my phone, typing out a message to Melina with one hand.


    “$250 million. Not a penny less. Or I’ll make sure you and your family pay the price.”


    I hit send without hesitation, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat, my pulse still racing.


    The sky had grown darker, thick gray clouds rolling in, the first few drops of rain sttering against my windshield.


    Suddenly, a sh of yellow blurred past my peripheral vision, followed by the sharp, whining roar of a motorcycle engine.


    A red bike cut in front of my car, swerving wildly, its rider dressed in dark leather, helmet glinting with water droplets.


    I mmed on the brakes, my body jolting forward, the seatbelt cutting into my shoulder as my tires screeched against the wet asphalt.


    “Careful!” Yve’s voice snapped in my head.


    Before I could fully process what happened, a deafening crash shook my car. My head mmed into the steering wheel, a sharp, hot pain exploding behind my eyes.


    I groaned, blinking rapidly as my vision blurred, red and dark, the world spinning slightly.


    Immediately, I grabbed a tissue from the console, pressing it against my temple, wiping away the blood that blurred my vision.


    Through the cracked windshield, I saw the red motorcycle disappearing into the distance. Then I checked my rear view mirror to find a ck Maybach that had rear-ended me. Its front bumper was dented, the polished surface marred by the impact.


    Before I could gather my thoughts, a firm knock sounded against my window.


    28.6 %


    13:18


    288 ?Vouchers


    A man in his forties, dressed in a crisp ck suit, sses perched on his nose, stood beside my car, a ck umbre in one hand, his expression polite but concerned.


    I rolled down the window, wincing as the motion sent another wave of pain through my skull.


    “I’m terribly sorry, ma’am,” he said, his voice calm and steady.”I rear-ended your car. I’ll take full responsibility.”


    –


    I caught the faint scent of another wolf on him not a threat, but unfamiliar.


    “My boss has some urgent matters to attend to,” he continued, nodding toward the back seat. I caught a glimpse of a tall, broad-shouldered figure in a dark suit, sunsses hiding his eyes, his posture rxed but radiating a quiet, dan- gerous energy.


    “I’m Mike,” the man added, adjusting his sses. “Can we exchange numbers? I’ll make sure all your expenses are covered.”


    I took a deep breath, still feeling the sting at my temple. “I’d prefer to leave this to the police,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’ve had enough surprises for one day.”


    I pushed open the car door and stepped out, my shoes sshing in the shallow puddles forming on the wet road. I walked to the back of my car, my heart sinking when I saw the dent. The rear bumper was crumpled, the paint scraped off, and the tail light cracked. I frowned, took a quick photo for the insurance, then pulled out my phone and called the police.


    A few minutester, I heard another car door open. I nced back, and the man in the back seat of the Maybach stepped out. Mike quickly moved to his side, holding a ck umbre over him, his posture respectful and hurried.


    The man straightened, his suit perfectly tailored, sharp creases running down his pant legs, his shoes polished enough to reflect the gray sky. His presence was striking — tall, broad-shouldered, and the kind of face thatmanded at-


    tention even in a crowd.


    He took off his sunsses, revealing deep-set eyes that met mine for a brief second. I felt my heart skip a beat. Some- thing about him seemed… special, though I couldn’t ce it.


    I turned to the approaching officer, quickly exining what had happened.


    When I turned back, Mike was standing beside me, holding out a dark suit jacket. “Ma’am, your shirt is soaked,” he said politely, eyes slightly averted. “Please, put this on.”


    I nced down and felt my face heat up. My white shirt was clinging to my body, rainwater making the thin fabric al- most transparent. I nodded and took the jacket from his hands, slipping it on quickly.


    –


    It was warm, the lining still carrying the faint heat of the man who had just worn it, along with a subtle, expensive cologne something woody, clean, with a hint of smoke. It made my pulse quicken, and Yve stirred within me, her curiosity ring.


    “Thank you,” I mumbled, feeling awkward. “I’ll wash it and return it to your boss.”


    Mike gave a small smile, shaking his head. “No need. My boss won’t mind.”


    I looked up, but the man was already getting back into the Maybach. The door shut with a soft, expensive thud, and


    the car eased back onto the road, the engine barely making a sound as it disappeared into the rain.


    I stood there for a moment, clutching the warm jacket around my shoulders, the lingering scent still teasing my sens- es, making Yve restless.