Chapter 15

Nathan returned to the capital alone, a shadow of his former self. The werewolf - influenced world he had once dominated now seemed to close in on him, the weight of his failure to retrieve Isabella pressing down on his shoulders.

When Nathan's father learned that Nathan had not brought Isabella back, he erupted in a rage, his werewolf aura flaring. In the werewolf - human social hierarchy, maintaining appearances and family honor was of utmost importance, and Nathan's failure was a significant blow.

He berated Nathan furiously:

"I opposed your marriage to Isabella back then, but you insisted on marrying her to save your 'pure - hearted love.' Since you married her, you should have lived a good life together and worked as a team. In our werewolf - influenced society, such unions are meant to be strong and unbreakable.

Though Isabella's family background isn't great, she is obedient and filial. We accepted her. Yet, you still entangled yourself with her Sis... You've broken Isabella's heart; that's why she refuses to come back!"

The more Nathan's father spoke, the angrier he became, his werewolf features contorting with rage:

"If Isabella won’t return, then you have no reason to attend the Hill family's annual gathering. It would only invite ridicule. In the werewolf - human world, our family's reputation is everything, and your actions reflect poorly on all of us."

Nathan's mother paled with fright. As a werewolf matriarch, she understood the gravity of the situation.

"Honey, Nathan will definitely bring Isabella back. Please give him some time. Our son's future in the werewolf - human business world depends on this."

Nathan was the Hill family’s only legitimate son, but that status hinged on his ability to sustain the family's enterprise, which had significant influence in both the werewolf and human business realms.

If he failed, numerous illegitimate children, some with werewolf blood, would emerge to take his place.

This was why Nathan's mother feared Nathan's father's decision to exclude Nathan from the family gathering, a crucial event in the werewolf - human social calendar.

She earnestly persuaded her son:

"Nathan, this year's event will be grander than ever. The Hill family is hosting a joint alliance meeting with the Sanchez and Brown families, two powerful werewolf - human clans. You must attend as the Hill family's heir to gain the recognition of their elders. Once you have their approval, your career will flourish in both the werewolf and human business landscapes.

"Nathan, listen to me. No matter what it takes, you must coax Isabella to return. Our family's standing depends on it."

Nathan suddenly opened the door, his face desolate. The werewolf - human world's expectations and his own failures had taken a toll on him.

"Mom, Isabella is missing."

Nathan's mother froze in shock, words of reproach caught in her throat. Seeing her son's dark, defeated expression, she hesitated.

Nathan's father, however, lashed out, his werewolf strength propelling his kick into Nathan's stomach. Nathan did not resist, the weight of his guilt and failure overwhelming him.

Finally, Nathan's father growled in anguish:

"How could you fail so miserably as a husband? How could you not realize your wife had been missing for so long? You idiot! Do you know what catastrophic consequences this will bring to you and the Hill family? In the werewolf - human world, a missing spouse can lead to all sorts of rumors and damage our family's reputation."

"The media must never find out that you wronged Isabella. Remember, the cause of Isabella's disappearance must never point back to you. We need to protect our family's image at all costs."

Nathan opened his mouth, wanting to defend Isabella, but when he thought of his future prospects in the werewolf - human business world, he closed it again.

Nathan's mother took charge, her werewolf cunning coming to the fore:

"You’re too soft - hearted. Stay out of this matter. I’ll handle it."

A few days later, news surfaced online. In the interconnected werewolf - human digital world, information spread like wildfire.

It claimed that the Hill family's young mistress had cheated during her marriage and eloped overseas with another man. It further alleged that Nathan, in a desperate bid to win back his wife, had humbled himself and gone abroad, only to be heartlessly abandoned.

The report painted Isabella as a woman with no sense of responsibility and a fickle heart.

In contrast, Nathan was portrayed as a devoted and doting husband.

According to the media, Nathan had gone against family pressure to marry a "Cinderella" like Isabella and had showered her with love.

The coverage even included details of his care for Victoria, Isabella's ill Sis.

Photos of Nathan’s flight abroad and moments of him tending to Victoria were published, carefully curated to manipulate public opinion in the werewolf - human society.

Under the trending article, Victoria, a werewolf with her own agenda, was quick to like the post, subtly confirming its authenticity.

As a result, public opinion overflowed with sympathy for Nathan and harsh condemnation for Isabella. In the werewolf - human world, where rumors and public perception could make or break a reputation, Isabella was now the target of widespread criticism.

Ignorant netizens, both human and werewolf, began lashing out at Isabella:

"God, marrying Nathan was like winning the lottery, and she still didn’t appreciate it. Then she cheated? Where’s her shame? In our werewolf - human values, loyalty is highly prized."

"Even her own Sis is calling her out. That says a lot about her character. This kind of woman deserves to be hit by a car."

While playing a mobile game, Theodore, a young werewolf with a deep bond with Isabella, accidentally glanced at the trending headlines back home. His werewolf senses immediately alerted him to the injustice being done to Isabella.

Seeing Isabella drowned in waves of public criticism, he couldn’t hold back. He registered an account called "Flower Protector" and posted a counter - narrative:

"Has anyone considered that maybe it’s Nathan Hill and his Sis - in - law who had an affair, breaking Isabella’s heart? Perhaps that’s why she doesn’t want to be a tool in their drama anymore. In the werewolf - human world, we should look beyond the surface and seek the truth."

"This post stands as proof—I’ll wait for Isabella to return and expose the truth about this scumbag!"

Theodore even paid to boost his post, using his werewolf - enhanced resources to send it into the trending ranks. His comment quickly drew attention, sparking discussions among netizens, both human and werewolf.

Some rational voices began to echo the "Flower Protector":

"Let’s wait and see. This drama doesn’t seem like it’ll end anytime soon."

Meanwhile, Nathan's mother, closely monitoring the media, noticed this new narrative. Calmly, she ordered her confidant, a werewolf with sharp investigative skills:

"This 'Flower Protector' seems to know something. Find out who he is, even if you have to search everywhere. Pay him off and make him retract his statement to support our version of events. We can't let this narrative undermine our family's reputation."

"Understood, Madam."

Recently, Isabella had been busy preparing for her competition, a significant event in the werewolf - human fashion world, inadvertently neglecting Theodore.

Apparently, to get her attention, he began stirring up more trouble than usual.

That morning, Theodore curled up on the living room sofa, gazing at Isabella with a pitiful look, like a mistreated stray dog. His werewolf eyes held a hint of vulnerability.

His schoolbag was carelessly thrown at his feet.

Isabella sighed.

"Theo, are you trying to avoid school again?"

Clutching his stomach, his face pale, Theodore moaned, "Sis, my stomach hurts."

Isabella was stunned.

At first, she thought his claims of pain during class were excuses, but after half a semester, she noticed his recurring headaches, stomachaches, and leg pains before school were real symptoms.

The doctor diagnosed it as a classic case of school aversion syndrome—a severe psychological condition, which was not uncommon among young werewolves struggling to adapt to human - style education.

His innocent, teary gaze tugged at her heart. Even the hardest hearts, whether human or werewolf, would soften under such a look.

Against her better judgment, Isabella nodded.

"Fine, then."

After all, Theodore was still a minor, and in the werewolf - human world, the well - being of the young was of utmost importance. If he developed severe psychological issues like depression, wouldn’t she be an unfit guardian?

His face brightened instantly.

Isabella, however, felt a twinge of guilt:

Theodore was a genius with nearly supernatural intelligence, a trait often associated with powerful werewolf lineages. Indulging his resistance to school—would that ruin him?

She reluctantly patted his head.

"As long as you’re happy."

Theodore retreated to his room to play games while Isabella stayed home, taking care of him diligently.

While tidying up, she lifted his schoolbag, surprised by its unusual lightness.

Opening it, she found no schoolbooks inside—only an indecent *adult video*.

Isabella's fury erupted instantly.

"Theodore! Get out here right now!"