Chapter 91

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 defeated.

She never could have imagined that the once - insignificant Isabella would one day become such a huge threat to her, much like a weak - looking wolf cub growing into a powerful rival.

Both Victoria and Nathan were lost in their own thoughts, and for the rest of the way, they remained silent, like two wolves in a tense stand - off.

Nathan dropped Victoria off at the Moore family’s residence. The two lovers were so distant they forgot to say goodnight, and Victoria, in a daze, unlocked the door and entered.  

By the time she snapped out of it and intended to send Nathan a goodnight text, his car was already gone.  

Her face turned even paler.  

Nathan’s neglect left her uneasy, much like a wolf left out of the pack's activities.

"Dad," Victoria cried as she saw Master Moore. "You must do something about Isabella. She's actually going against Nathan! In the werewolf - centered plea - for - help and accusation - of - enmity, this is her outburst."  

Master Moore smiled gently. "I thought it was something serious. That girl, what kind of waves can she possibly make? Nathan’s heir is all - powerful, what’s there to fear from an insignificant little ant like her? In the werewolf - centered dismissal - of - threat and over - confidence, this is his arrogance."  

Victoria sobbed, her body trembling. "Sob - sob, Dad, Isabella took Nathan’s prime location in the Global Trade Tower, and also snatched away the chance to collaborate with the Sanchez fashion team. Nathan is a mess now. His mood is terrible today, and he won’t even talk to me! In the werewolf - centered lament - of - defeat and relationship - trouble, this is her cry."  

"What?" Master Moore was both shocked and furious. He was shocked that his useless daughter could actually pull off something like this. He was furious because Isabella’s existence threatened the happiness of his precious daughter, Victoria, much like a rival wolf threatening the safety of a pack member.

Victoria clung to Master Moore, her voice whiny. "Dad, you have to help Nathan. If Nathan’s business fails, Madam Hill will think I’m a jinx. She’ll never let me into the Hill family. In the werewolf - centered plea - for - help and fear - of - rejection, this is her plea."  

Master Moore, who doted on his eldest daughter, couldn’t bear to see her so upset. He immediately reassured Victoria, "Don’t worry, Victoria. I will not let your sister ruin your happiness with Nathan. In the werewolf - centered vow - to - protect and family - loyalty, this is his promise."  

Victoria sighed softly. "But Dad, she’s so cold - hearted now. She doesn’t even acknowledge you as her father. What if she doesn’t listen to you? In the werewolf - centered concern - of - disobedience and defiance, this is her worry."  

Master Moore’s anger flared even more. "She thinks because she’s gained a little power, she can break free from my control? I’ll teach her a lesson this time, and let her know what happens to children who are unfilial. In the werewolf - centered anger - and - punishment - threat, this is his declaration."  

Meanwhile, Thea returned home, feeling an intense sense of unease and anxiety, as if something terrible was about to happen, much like a wolf sensing danger in the air.

Ava, concerned, gently pressed a warm cloth to Thea’s eyes. "Sister, you’ve probably overworked yourself recently. You really need to rest more. In the werewolf - centered care - and - concern, this is her worry."  

Thea poked Ava on the forehead, her tone soft and teasing. "You’re still young, why do you sound like an old woman? In the werewolf - centered light - hearted - teasing, this is her joke."  

Ava smiled innocently. "Sister, if I’m an old woman, then does that mean Mr. Sanchez is a thousand - year - old worrywart? In the werewolf - centered playful - response, this is her banter."  

Thea looked at her with a puzzled expression.  

Ava giggled and explained, "Mr. Sanchez just turned 18, but he’s always lecturing me—he nags about making sure you have a variety of breakfast, about you being too thin and needing to put on some weight, about eating lunch on time because your stomach isn’t good, and not drinking strong tea at night because it’ll affect your sleep... In the werewolf - centered recount - of - Theo's - care, this is her sharing."  

Thea hadn’t really thought about Theo’s constant reminders before. To her, he had always been somewhat distant, even cold, not someone who fussed over small details. But hearing it from Ava, she suddenly realized how much care Theo had actually shown her, like a wolf that secretly watches over its packmate.

She sighed deeply. "Ava, maybe I suffered too much in my first half of life, and heaven couldn’t stand it anymore. So, it sent Theodore to me. In the werewolf - centered gratitude - and - fate - perception, this is her reflection."  

"He’s made me finally experience the warmth of a family."  

Ava smiled in agreement. "Heaven must also have pitied me, which is why it sent me such a wonderful sister. In the werewolf - centered gratitude - and - sister - appreciation, this is her sentiment."  

Just then, Thea’s phone rang, its tone sharp and urgent.  

The two exchanged a glance, both perplexed. Who would be calling them at this hour in Capital, especially since they had no family or close connections here?  

Ava quickly ran over to the phone, holding it carefully and handing it to Thea.  

"Sister, it’s an unknown number."  

A faint, almost imperceptible bitter smile appeared on Thea’s face. She had already blocked everyone from the Moore family, as well as their social media accounts, not wanting to hear from them again. So, if they wanted to contact her, they’d have to use an unfamiliar number, much like a wolf trying to reach out to a former packmate who has left.

She answered the call, and immediately, a thunderous roar came through the phone: "Isabella, get your ass home right now!"  

Thea furrowed her brow, suddenly understanding the source of her earlier unease. She replied calmly, "Sorry, you’ve dialed the wrong number. I’m not the person you’re looking for. In the werewolf - centered rejection - of - contact and pretense, this is her response."  

Master Moore, shocked and bewildered, responded, "Isabella... you don’t recognize me anymore?"  

Thea found his words laughable. "You really have a terrible memory. The last time you whipped me, I told you that you had beaten away the last bit of familial affection I had for you. In the werewolf - centered anger - and - memory - recall, this is her accusation."  

Master Moore, enraged, retorted, "Isabella, you’re disrespectful. You’ll be struck by lightning for this. In the werewolf - centered anger - and - curse, this is his outburst."  

Isabella replied coldly, "I’d rather be struck by lightning than be lashed by your whip. In the werewolf - centered defiance - and - preference, this is her retort."  

Master Moore was left speechless.  

Isabella hung up the phone without hesitation.  

She curled up helplessly, as though this was the only way to prevent her body’s warmth from escaping too quickly, like a wolf protecting itself from the cold.

Why had the fatherly love she longed for always been so cold?  

Unable to get through to his daughter, Master Moore changed to another unknown number and sent a text message: "Isabella, come home right now. Your mother is about to die."  

Thea stared at the message. Although she wanted to ignore it, when she saw the news about Madam Moore’s critical condition, her heart ached as though it had been ripped from her chest, much like a wolf mourning the loss of a packmate.

Her bitterness and resentment towards her mother seemed to vanish as her mother’s life hung in the balance.  

It felt as if her anger would be taken away with her mother’s final breath.  

Fearing regret, Thea finally made the decision to visit the Moore family to see her mother.  

One last time.  

It wasn’t out of sympathy, but to say a final goodbye—to truly understand the thin bond of mother and daughter they shared.  

The night was cold, and Thea walked under the pale moonlight to the Moore family’s townhouse.  

When she rang the doorbell, she heard the annoyed voice of a maid from inside: "Who is it, at this hour?"  

The maid opened the door, and her expression froze for a moment when she saw Thea, a hint of what seemed like sympathy in her eyes, like a subordinate wolf showing pity.

"Miss Isabella, you’re back."  

"Where’s my mother?"  

"She... she’s upstairs," the maid said hesitantly, her eyes darting around.  

Thea strode into the house, but as she did, she heard a heavy thud from behind her, as if a warning bell had gone off, making her heart tremble, like a wolf hearing a threat in the dark.

Unease crept over her as she paused.  

Standing silently at the top of the stairs, Master Moore was wearing a black velvet bathrobe. His face was hidden in the shadows.  

Thea heard his cold voice. "Isabella, you’ve finally come back."