hapter 40: The Body Pressed Down with Anger
(Olivia’s POV)
I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. My fingers moved deliberately as I dialed a familiar number.
“Since Theodore invited you here, I’ll call him now to tell me who exactly is the Luna of the Crimson Pack,” I declared
coldly.
Clara’s face went white as she watched me dial. Her hands trembled visibly against her sides.
She remembered how she always suffered losses in previous conflicts with me. The fear was written all over her face.
“No, no need, we’ll leave,” she said quickly, her voice cracking with panic.
But it was too late. The phone was already connecting.
Theodore’s tired and lazy voice came through the speaker: “My love?”
“Come to the VIP private room at the Moonstone Summit Hotel restaurant immediately,” I said.
“There are people here claiming to be your father–in–law, mother–in–law, and your Luna, saying you invited them for dinner today.”
Everyone in the room held their breath. Clara’s eyes were filled with hope.
However, Theodore’s affectionate and gentle voice came through the phone: “My love, who’s talking nonsense and making you unhappy?”
His tone was warm and protective, completely dismissing their claims. “I’m in an international pack conference and can’t get away. Please handle it yourself, my love.”
He added without hesitation, “Hanging up now, my love. I love you.”
The call ended amid everyone’s shock. The beeping tone filled the deadly silent room.
Silvanus Winter and Ophelia Thorne exchanged incredulous looks. Their mouths hung open like fish gasping for air.
Clara collapsed against them, looking utterly defeated. All the color had drained from her face.
Her carefully constructed fantasy crumbled in an instant. The man she thought would protect her had just publicly dismissed her existence.
Manager Corbin observed my expression carefully. His years of experience told him exactly what needed to happen next.
“Why aren’t you throwing them out yet?” he shouted at his security team. “Don’t dirty the Luna’s eyes!”
With his command, security guards swarmed forward. Their heavy boots echoed against the marble floor.
They grabbed the three conspirators without ceremony. Professional efficiency replaced any pretense of politeness. Silvanus and Ophelia wailed as they were dragged away. Their expensive clothes wrinkled under the guards‘ firm grips. “This is a mistake!” Silvanus screamed. “Theodore will hear about this!”
But his protests fell on deaf ears. The guards continued their work with mechanical precision.
Clara glared with resentment, tears streaming down her face. Her mascara ran in black streaks down her cheeks.
“This isn’t over!” she spat at me as they dragged her past. “You’ll regret this!”
I watched them go without a flicker of emotion. Their threats meant nothing to me now.
After the commotion ended and the onlookers dispersed, I suddenly noticed a tall figure in the crowd.
My lips moved, almost calling out his name. But I caught myself just in time.
This was a public place where I shouldn’t acknowledge him. Too many eyes were watching.
However, he walked straight toward me. His dark eyes flowed with starlight that touched my heart.
Each step was measured and confident. The crowd seemed to part naturally before him.
He approached and took out a tissue from inside his suit jacket. His movements were gentle and careful.
“Luna Olivia, are you alright?” he asked, handing me the tissue.
I was stunned for a moment. The simple gesture of kindness after such ugliness nearly broke my composure.
I accepted his tissue, and my swollen, aching eyes instantly reddened from his caring gesture.
We entered another VIP private room one after another. The space was filled with academic luminaries from The Aegis Institute.
Seeing Killian Vance bring in a young woman, they all showed incredulous expressions. Whispers started immediately among the group.
Soon, someone recognized me and asked curiously, “Professor Vance, how do you know Luna Olivia?”
I looked at Killian, recalling our shared past. After being recruited by Matthew, my first mission was to serve as backup to help Killian escape from a dangerous place.
The memory felt like a lifetime ago. So much had changed since then.
Killian calmly replied, “Coincidentally, I’ve saved Luna Olivia twice.”
His voice was steady and matter–of–fact. No one would suspect the deeper connection between us.
Another man said, “What a coincidence! Our research institute is currently negotiating a further cooperation project with the Crimson Pack.”
“I’ll handle the negotiations,” Killian said straightforwardly.
His declaration surprised everyone present. Murmurs of confusion rippled through the group.
An old man said, “Professor Vance, such a small matter doesn’t require your personal attention.”
But a young man beside him nudged his arm and smiled. “Having Professor Vance step forward is exactly what we hoped for.”
“Since Professor Vance and Luna Olivia have this connection, the cooperation negotiations should go more smoothly.” We were seated across from each other at a tea table in the inner room. The space felt intimate after the chaos outside. “Livvy, take the pup and sever the mate bond with him,” Killian said.
I felt embarrassed hearing this. Killian had witnessed everything earlier, and being perceptive, he had likely seen through it
all.
“Killian, tell me about yourself,” I said, not wanting to drag him into my troubles.
“I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”
He looked at me with deeper eyes and said, “Tomorrow, Crestwood University will hold a press conference to officially announce my identity.”
Points
“Can you attend? I hope you can join my research team.”
I hadn’t expected to receive Killian’s invitation. But I would be leaving Stonehaven City soon.
The timing couldn’t be more complicated. Everything in my life was in upheaval.
Understanding my concerns, Killian added, “I believe with your abilities, it won’t take long time.”
“I really need you, Livvy.”
Suddenly, there was a loud “bang” from outside. The door exploded inward with tremendous force.
I was immediately pulled up and fell into the newcomer’s embrace. Theodore’s familiar scent surrounded me, but it brought no comfort.
Theodore’s dark eyes blazed with murderous intent. His voice carried attacking force: “Professor Vance, what exactly do you need my Luna to do?”
The two men locked eyes. The atmosphere in the private room dropped to freezing point.
“Let her go,” Killian commanded directly. “You’re hurting her!”
Dense pain shot through the wrist Theodore gripped. I struggled against his iron hold.
Unlike usual when Theodore would immediately feel sorry and let go, this time he not only didn’t release me but gripped even tighter.
“My Luna’s affairs don’t need your concern!” Theodore snarled. “If I catch you approaching my Luna with ulterior motives again, I won’t let you off!”
Theodore ignored Killian and pulled me toward the exit. His grip was bruising my wrist.
But Killian stepped forward to block our path. His stance was calm but unmovably determined.
“I told you to let her go,” he repeated.
The atmosphere became tense as professors and scholars came forward to mediate. Their academic minds struggled to process the raw aggression.
The young man explained nervously, “It’s a misunderstanding, Alpha Theodore.”
“You forgot that our institute is discussing a project with the Crimson Pack for deep cooperation. Professor Vance was just discussing the cooperation details with Luna Olivia.”
Theodore released my hand but wrapped his arm around my waist. His hold was possessive and unyielding.
“No need,” he said coldly. “The Crimson Pack has no interest in this project.”
Theodore’s gaze never left Killian’s face. He stepped closer, invading the other man’s personal space.
“Any project with Professor Vance will never interest the Crimson Pack,” he said in a threatening low voice.
This statement was equivalent to blacklisting Killian. Everyone in the room began to panic.
As Theodore escorted me out, I was forced to comply due to his forceful grip. But I wouldn’t go quietly.
Before leaving the private room, I turned back and said, “Thank you for Professor Vance’s invitation. I will attend tomorrow’s press conference.”
After saying this, Theodore lifted me over his shoulder like a sack of grain. The humiliation burned through me. He carried me out of the hotel while I struggled uselessly against his hold.
I was stuffed into the back seat of the Rolls–Royce. The leather was cold against my skin.
ane hoy icon SONY XLT
Before I could settle properly, Theodore’s body, burning with anger, pressed down on me.
