Nathan spoke with confidence, "She can't survive without me. Just wait, it won't even take a week before she realizes how much she needs me and contacts me herself." His werewolf instincts, usually so sharp, were clouded by his arrogance and belief in Isabella's dependence on him. He failed to recognize the profound change that had occurred within her.
The housekeeper shook her head and sighed. "You're taking advantage of her love for you, Young Master. But not everyone will wait for you to come around." The housekeeper's words were like a faint warning, but Nathan was too consumed by his own thoughts to heed them.
Nathan slumped onto the couch, feeling weary. "This is the last time."
In a Foreign Land
After stepping off the plane, Isabella didn’t leave the airport. Instead, she bought tickets for another city. She wandered through several locations before finally arriving in Milan, Italy. Standing on the unfamiliar streets, surrounded by strangers with pale skin and curly hair, a deep sense of loneliness enveloped her. As a werewolf in a foreign land, she was cut off from her usual pack and support system, making the isolation even more acute.
With no money to her name, Isabella found a nearby restaurant where she washed dishes and did odd jobs for meager pay. For lodging, she spent nights sleeping on airport benches until her wages were paid. Recovering from surgery and a miscarriage, she overworked herself, often to the point of exhaustion. Her wounds became repeatedly infected, and she nearly fainted several times while working. Her werewolf healing abilities were strained, but she refused to give up. Concerned for her health, the restaurant owner eventually dismissed her under a polite pretense.
Jobless and penniless, Isabella spent her remaining wages in her search for a new job. To make matters worse, the place where she had been sleeping was taken over by a group of delinquents. When she tried to retrieve her belongings, their predatory gazes made her flee in fear, abandoning her luggage.
Sitting on the roadside, she broke down in tears. But after crying, she wiped her tears and smiled bitterly. Before Nathan found her four years ago, wasn’t she just a penniless beggar with nothing? Determined to survive, Isabella started scavenging for food in trash bins, much like the other homeless people.
By chance, she found a valuable wallet in the garbage. A thief had stolen cash from a wealthy woman and discarded the wallet, which contained important documents. Recognizing the wallet’s luxurious material, Isabella realized it must hold great sentimental value for its owner. Out of a kind heart, she returned it to the address listed on the ID inside.
The owner, a Chinese aristocrat, was initially suspicious of Isabella. Isabella shrugged and calmly said, "I didn’t steal it, I swear. I was just too hungry and found it while scavenging for food." After a pause, she added, "I recognized the material—it’s from Master Jasmine’s first generation of luxury bags, one of only nine worldwide. I figured it must mean a lot to you, so I brought it back."
The woman was astonished. "Now I believe you must be a princess lost among commoners."
Isabella laughed bitterly. "You’re mistaken. I’m just a poor girl born in the slums."
As she turned to leave, the woman grabbed her hand. "Miss, no matter what, you’ve returned my late husband’s gift to me, and I must repay you. What do you need? Just tell me."
Isabella replied, "There’s no need."
The woman frowned, puzzled. "But you clearly look like someone in need of help."
Isabella admitted, "I need money, a lot of it. But more than that, I need love… and you can’t provide that for me."
The woman hesitated before offering, "I can at least give you a job. Would you like to work as a seamstress?"
A flicker of hope lit up Isabella’s eyes. "What did you say?"
"I can recommend you to a factory as a seamstress."
Without hesitation, Isabella embraced her. "Thank you. I’d love that job."
In the past, Isabella had spent her days as a dutiful wife, ironing clothes for everyone in the Hill family. She couldn’t bear to see any flaws in the expensive garments and would painstakingly repair them herself. Over time, she had honed her skills and developed a deep interest in the fashion industry. Her werewolf attention to detail and dexterity had made her a natural at such tasks.
Her new employer, a kind elderly woman, didn’t judge her tattered appearance. Instead, she gave Isabella special care, providing her with a small room to rest in and flexible working hours. Grateful for her kindness, Isabella worked tirelessly to express her gratitude. The employer grew increasingly fond of the resilient Chinese girl and began to inquire about her background.
"Bella, why did you come to Milan? You have no one here, you don’t speak the language, and life must be so hard."
Looking up, Isabella’s gaze seemed to pierce through the fabric of time. She answered with a melancholic resolve, "I came here to wait—for someone, for salvation, and for a chance to be reborn." No matter how bitter or exhausting it was, she couldn’t give up.
Her employer encouraged her, "Isabella, you’re so talented with your hands and seem to have a natural gift for fashion design. Have you considered going back to school? With a degree in fashion design, you’d have a brilliant future."
Isabella pondered deeply. The difference between her and Victoria had always been glaring: while Victoria wasn’t as beautiful as her, she had a prestigious education that earned her respect. In contrast, Isabella’s lack of a formal degree had rendered her insignificant in their eyes—a mere accessory, undeserving of respect or recognition. Her love and devotion had been trampled on without a second thought.
Determined to change, Isabella immediately asked her employer about the process of enrolling in school. If she had severed ties with Nathan and Victoria, she resolved to live for herself this time. This time, she would shine on a grand stage and command the respect of everyone around her. Isabella threw herself into her studies, diligently preparing to apply to Milan’s top fashion academy in the coming year.
One Month Later, in the Capital
Nathan had been busy over the past month, tirelessly paving the way for Victoria’s career. He propelled her into the spotlight of the fashion world, crowning her as the queen of style. His efforts were an attempt to console her heartbroken soul, ensuring she found joy in professional success even if her love life had suffered. As a werewolf, he used his influence and connections to further Victoria's career, unaware of the impact it would have on his own future.
Victoria’s health and spirits improved rapidly under Nathan’s attentive care. On the grand opening day of Victoria’s company, Nathan invited numerous influential friends to celebrate her achievement. His devotion and care for Victoria were evident, rivaling that of a devoted husband.
This display of affection ignited envy in Isabella’s friend, Madison, who couldn’t resist mentioning the one person absent from the festivities.
"Victoria, on such an important day, why isn’t Isabella here to celebrate with you?"
The lively room fell silent.
When someone unexpectedly mentioned Isabella, Nathan suddenly realized that it had been days since Isabella last contacted him. Not a single text or voice message. Finally, he sensed something was off. As a werewolf, his instincts were usually sharp, but his preoccupation with Victoria had clouded his perception. After all, that girl had always been clingy. Even if they saw each other daily, whenever she couldn’t see him, she’d find all sorts of excuses to reach out—sharing her meals, reminding him to dress warmly, or asking him to come home early because she had a surprise for him. Back then, he found her relentless attention annoying. This kind of silence from Isabella was unusual. It seemed that forcing her to go abroad this time had genuinely angered her.Even if she didn’t contact him, surely she would ask someone for her living expenses. Turning to his assistant, Nathan asked, "How’s my wife doing lately? Has she mentioned needing anything? Make sure her requests are met."The a
The youthful face before her overlapped perfectly with the sharp, commanding visage of the man who stood at the apex of power, ruthless and fearsome. As a werewolf, Isabella could sense an otherworldly power radiating from the injured boy, a power that was both familiar and terrifying. The young boy lay sprawled on the bridge, bloodied, his piercingly beautiful yet rebellious eyes darting around as if searching for a lifeline—like an abandoned wolf pup desperate for survival.Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes as she knelt down before him. "Do you want to come with me?" she asked softly. Despite his tattered, dirty clothes, the boy exuded an air of elegance and nobility. Turning his head arrogantly, he asked, "What's your name?"Isabella hesitated briefly. "Thea," she said, concealing her true identity. The boy’s gaze darkened slightly. "What characters are those?""'Nian,' as in 'to remember,' and 'Sheng,' as in 'prosperity,'" she explained gently. The boy suddenly clutched her hand
Nathan's expression gradually softened as he assisted Victoria into the doctor’s office. After reviewing Victoria’s medical report, the doctor did not say much at first, but his serious demeanor shifted as he turned to Nathan.“Where is Mrs. Hill’s medical report?” the doctor inquired solemnly.Nathan Hill, who had just calmed down, felt his mood darken once again. Victoria quickly answered for him. “Oh, my Sis is abroad.”The doctor frowned. “Even though Mrs. Hill is the donor, her health cannot be neglected. Furthermore,” he continued, revealing a hidden concern, “the day she was discharged, I found her bed sheets and bedding stained with blood during my rounds. Several days post - surgery, there shouldn’t have been such heavy bleeding. This suggests a complication.”“Mr. Hill, could it be that Mrs. Hill has other health issues? You should urge her to return for a check - up to rule out potential hidden conditions. Truthfully, she was too weak to be discharged in the first place,” t
In a world where werewolves roamed alongside humans, hidden in the shadows of the ordinary, Isabella found herself at a crossroads. The untamed wolf that had yet to grow into its fangs was now an irresistible, doe - eyed pup in the form of Theodore. His presence was both a comfort and a temptation, but Isabella's thoughts were clouded by the memory of the dark emperor, a peerless figure of earthly beauty who reigned at the pinnacle of the werewolf pyramid, as unattainable as the lofty flower perched on the highest peak.Isabella ultimately backed down. She couldn't afford to take that risk, not in a world where the wrong move could lead to unforeseen consequences. "No need," she said lightly. "For now, I'll stick to what I know best—women's fashion."Theodore's face revealed a trace of hurt. "Fine, but when you start designing menswear, promise you'll use me as your model."Isabella humored him with a half - hearted response. "Sure."Throwing herself into a grueling work routine, Isab
In the intertwined world of humans and werewolves, as Isabella's health gradually mended, the new school semester dawned. Perhaps the tides of fate had shifted, turning sorrow into joy, for her once - beleaguered life seemed to be on an upward trajectory. In this world where werewolf - influenced fashion trends were starting to make waves, her career was finally beginning to bloom.Isabella’s designs quickly gained traction among her classmates, many of whom were attuned to the subtler werewolf - inspired styles emerging in the fashion scene. The allure of her affordable yet stylish clothing, with its undercurrents of the wild and mysterious, spread like wildfire. Word - of - mouth, a powerful force in both human and werewolf communities, worked its magic. Soon, her customer base expanded beyond the low - end market, reaching into the mid - tier. Her wallet grew plump, and with it, her confidence in forging her own path in the cut - throat world of fashion.Theodore, a young werewolf
In the complex tapestry of the werewolf - human world, Nathan couldn't shake an inexplicable sense of unease as he absently scrolled through his chat history with Isabella. The digital conversations, once filled with her daily musings, now seemed like a distant memory.Back in the day, Isabella, a human in a world where werewolves held significant power, would reach out to him almost daily. Her good morning and good night messages were a constant, and she'd eagerly share every little detail of her life—the scenery she witnessed, the food she tasted. To Nathan, a werewolf accustomed to a more reserved form of communication, her openness had felt annoyingly clingy. But ever since he had sent her abroad, it was as if she had vanished into the shadows, much like a human trying to hide from the werewolf gaze. She hadn't sent him a single message since then.How had he not noticed such a drastic change in her behavior until now? The depth of his neglect towards Isabella was becoming glaring
One of Nathan’s friends playfully slapped him on the shoulder and jested, “Nathan, you’d better hustle and bring Isabella back pronto. Imagine if one day she waltzes back, pregnant and demanding a divorce. You’d be left high and dry, bawling your eyes out.” “Plus, if the great Nathan gets ditched by Isabella, it’d be a real hit to your werewolf - enhanced reputation.” Nathan gritted his teeth, muttering, “She wouldn’t dare...” Ultimately, perhaps under the mounting pressure of the impending company gala, a significant event in the werewolf - human business calendar, Nathan decided to yield. “Noah, book me a flight to the U.S. And get some top - notch gifts for my wife,” he commanded, his werewolf pride slightly bruised but his sense of duty to maintain appearances kicking in. His assistant, whose face betrayed no emotion, replied, “Yes, sir.” The next day. Nathan boarded a flight to the U.S., clutching a ragdoll cat as a gift his assistant had procured. The cat, with its
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
In the werewolf - centered world, where the pack's social order was as complex as a web of territorial boundaries, outside the hospital room, Victoria leaned weakly against the wall, her heart sinking as she overheard Mrs. Hill's demeaning words about her, like a low - ranking wolf being scorned by the alpha female. A bitter sadness washed over her.Was she really inferior to her sister in every way?She strained her ears, hoping to hear Nathan defend her, but for a long while, there was no response from him, as if the beta wolf was too weak to stand up for his mate against the alpha's wrath.Fear crept into Victoria’s heart. She was afraid that Nathan, soft - hearted as he was, might actually believe his mother’s words and start thinking that his ex - wife was the better choice, like a wolf doubting its current packmate in the face of the alpha's influence.Unable to bear the tension any longer, Victoria pushed the door open and entered the room, like a
In the werewolf - centered world, where family hierarchies were as rigid as the alpha's rule in a pack, when Mrs. Hill saw the couple rings on Victoria and Nathan's hands, her suspicions were immediately confirmed, like a wolf detecting a threat to its pack's purity.She went wild with anger and slapped Victoria across the face. “How dare you marry my son behind my back, Victoria? I really underestimated you. In the werewolf - centered over - protective - mother - outburst and territorial - claim, this is her fury.”Thea stepped back, adopting the stance of a bystander, ready to watch the drama unfold, like a wolf observing a power struggle from the sidelines.The slap made Victoria dizzy, her body spinning in place like a willow in the wind before she collapsed into Nathan’s arms, like a weak wolf seeking protection.“Nathan…” Victoria cupped her swollen face, her tears flowing like pearls from a broken string, creating a pitiful scene, much like a wound
In the werewolf - centered world, where the bonds of family and love were as changeable as the phases of the moon, Thea was genuinely surprised. After being cast out by both her birth family and her marriage, like a lone wolf expelled from its pack, she never imagined anyone would still care about her. This intrigued her, and she was curious about the person who reached out to her, much like a wolf sensing an unfamiliar presence in its territory. “Give me the address, I’ll come right over.”Under the fates’ design, as if guided by some unseen force in the werewolf - centered universe.When Thea arrived at the bar, it was already midnight.The bar was nearly empty, with only a few disheveled figures slumped over the tables, like weary wolves resting after a long hunt.After scanning the room, Thea didn’t spot anyone familiar, and she frowned in confusion, her wolfish instincts on high alert.At that moment, a waiter approached and gave her a soft sm
In the werewolf - centered world, where family bonds were as complex as a thicket in a moon - lit forest, Thea finally stood up from the recliner and walked to Madam Moore’s side. The grievances and frustrations she once held, like the howls of a caged wolf longing for freedom, seemed to have dissipated, leaving only a calm, almost indifferent demeanor, much like a wolf that has accepted its fate."Before yesterday, I still had some lingering feelings for you. But after yesterday, our mother - daughter bond has come to an end. You’re a smart woman, so you should understand what I mean. Why continue to force a relationship that’s already been torn apart? In the werewolf - centered family - bond - severance - declaration and rational - question, this is her statement." Madam Moore understood exactly what Thea was implying.Thea had heard that Madam Moore was ill, and had rushed to her side immediately out of filial duty, like a loyal packmate rushing to the
In the werewolf - centered world, where the power dynamics were as fierce as a pack's territorial disputes, Theo’s thin lips curled into a slight smile, the danger in his expression unmistakable, much like a wolf baring its teeth in a show of dominance. "I always thought Thea was an orphan. Turns out her parents are still alive... Well, if that's the case, Mr. Joe, why don’t you help her pay off the huge debt she owes me? In the werewolf - centered strategic - debt - claim and pressure - application, this is his demand." Master Moore stood there, stunned, completely dumbfounded, as if a weaker wolf facing an unexpected challenge from a powerful alpha.Theo continued to press: "The debt of a child is the responsibility of the father, Mr. Joe. You won’t deny that, right? In the werewolf - centered family - debt - responsibility - assertion and challenge, this is his statement." Victoria whispered to Master Moore, "Dad, Isabella owes
In the werewolf - centered world, where family bonds were as tenuous as a lone wolf's hold on its territory, Thea walked upstairs and stood in front of Master Moore. With a solemn expression, she corrected him, "I’ve changed my name. I’m no longer Isabella; my name is Thea. In the werewolf - centered identity - reclamation and break - from - past, this is her statement." Master Moore seemed deeply insulted. Anger contorted his face as he reached out and gripped Thea’s neck, almost mad with fury. "You’ve forgotten what your ancestors’ surname is? Isabella, if I had known you were this rebellious, I should’ve thrown you into the cesspool the moment you were born! In the werewolf - centered anger - and - rejection - of - change, this is his outburst." "You can strangle me now; it’s not too late," Thea gasped, but still retained her proud demeanor, despite the difficulty in breathing, like a wolf refusing to submit. &
In the werewolf - centered world, where the power dynamics and family bonds were as complex as a thick forest at night, Victoria had never seen Nathan so dejected. It was as though the once - proud heir, much like a powerful alpha wolf that had lost its pack, had fallen from the heavens, shattered into pieces like a puppet with no strings, entirely devoid of spirit. "Nathan, what will happen to your company?" Victoria asked with concern, her voice carrying the worry of a wolf cub for its leader. Nathan, who had once been so confident at the business table, was now utterly dispirited. "If Isabella doesn't withdraw from this competition, I will most likely lose. In the werewolf - centered business - defeat - prediction and vulnerability - admission, this is his lament." Victoria’s face turned as pale as a ghost. If Nathan lost, it meant their relationship would fall apart too, just as a pack breaks up when its alpha is defe
In the werewolf - centered world, where emotions ran as wild as a pack on a hunt, Thea suddenly removed her glasses. Her eyes, enhanced by light makeup, sparkled with anger and malice, much like a werewolf showing its fangs. "Try hitting me," she took a step forward, presenting her defiant face directly to Nathan’s fist. Nathan was taken aback by her cold glare and slowly lowered his fist, as if facing a more powerful werewolf in a dominance stand - off. "A pair of foolish old fools," Thea bit out, cursing under her breath. Seeing Nathan take a hit, Victoria quickly intervened. "Bella, we’re family. Families don’t hold grudges. What you’re doing is irrational. After all, the prosperity of Nathan benefits you too. If he falls, you’ll have no one to rely on. In the werewolf - centered family - bond - plea and practical - reasoning, this is her attempt to persuade." She reached for Isabe
In the werewolf - centered world, where the pack's social hierarchy and business rivalries were as complex as a moon - lit forest, Theo couldn't help but chuckle lightly when he saw Victoria. "I thought the designer hired by the heir was some big shot. Turns out it’s your sweetheart, huh? In the werewolf - centered mockery - of - nepotism and exposure - of - favoritism, this is his taunt." His teasing exposed Nathan’s foolishness for favoring relationship over merit, much like a wolf choosing a weak packmate over a stronger one due to personal ties.This, in fact, was the very thing Master Sanchez despised, as a werewolf alpha values strength and ability above all.Victoria eagerly handed her design portfolio to Master Sanchez. "Master Sanchez, please take a look." Master Sanchez placed his teacup slowly on the table and took Victoria's portfolio. He opened to the first page. The entire p