Fake Mating To My Ex's Powerful Enemy

Chapter 143: Chapter 143 The Persistent Pest

Christina’s POV

"Do you like seafood?" I asked, desperate to break the silence that had settled between us.

"Why do you ask?" Hudson’s gaze was direct, unblinking.

I didn’t really know why I was asking these random questions.

This man sitting across from me was legally my husband, yet I knew embarrassingly little about him. Professional courtesy dictated I should at least know the basics. After all, we had signed a contract—a partnership of sorts.

"Just curious," I said with a casual shrug.

"It depends on the preparation," he answered thoughtfully, not dismissing my question as I’d half-expected.

"Noted. Coffee or tea?"

He paused briefly. "Black coffee, no sugar."

"So I’m guessing you wouldn’t order one of those tiny oat milk lattes with heart-shaped foam art?"

His eyebrow twitched slightly. "I wouldn’t be particularly opposed."

I couldn’t help but smile. "Of course not."

He tilted his head slightly. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing specific... just... good to know you don’t need fancy foam designs."

Hudson was easier to talk to than I’d imagined. He answered each question with consideration, showing no signs of impatience. Like interviewing a somewhat emotionally reserved successful businessman—interesting, but not exactly tabloid material.

Speaking of gossip... I remembered Alpha Cassian mentioning that Hudson had been interested in some woman for years.

My curiosity suddenly deflated. My stomach twisted like I’d swallowed a particularly sour lemon while watching someone else enjoy chocolate cake.

Plus, he’d gone quiet after I mentioned repaying him. Maybe I’d said something wrong.

Silence enveloped us again.

Not uncomfortable silence.

Just... strange.

As if we were carefully circling each other in an oversized room.

Just as I was contemplating what to say next, Hudson spoke.

"While you were in the restroom, a young woman approached me for my contact information," he said matter-of-factly. "I declined." frёewebηovel.cѳm

I blinked, surprised he’d bring this up voluntarily.

"You don’t need to explain that to me. We might be mates, but this is fundamentally a partnership arrangement, isn’t it?"

A flash of displeasure crossed his face. "Even in a partnership, you’re still my wife. I don’t want my wife feeling emotionally insecure, so regardless of whether you think it matters, I’m explaining anyway."

My heart skipped a beat unexpectedly.

"Wow," Akira commented in my head, "turns out he can string together full sentences."

Before I could formulate a response, Hudson stood up.

"Let’s head back."

Without my noticing, the server had already cleared our plates.

The car waited outside.

We slid into the backseat in silence.

As we approached the mansion, I immediately spotted someone standing by the entrance.

He was tall, wearing a gray suit jacket, arms hanging awkwardly at his sides, his stomach slightly protruding over his belt.

I leaned forward, squinting.

Franklin Vance.

I’d been dodging his calls all week.

He’d switched numbers, calling daily, leaving voicemails, even sending a few half-hearted texts.

I’d blocked each new number.

Yet here he was, having tracked me down anyway.

I climbed out of the car.

"What are you doing here?"

He held up a gift box in each hand like peace offerings.

I made no move to take them.

"Just thought I’d drop these off," he said with a forced grin. "Wanted to chat."

I remained silent.

I knew he’d contacted Nyx Collective first, discovering I hadn’t shown up for days.

No one had revealed my new studio’s location, so he’d settled for the next best thing: LGH headquarters.

I could imagine the scene: Franklin yelling at the receptionist, emphasizing he was "your boss’s father-in-law" as if that mattered, until security escorted him out.

Any reasonable person would take the hint and leave.

But Franklin was never reasonable.

"What do you want?" I blocked the doorway, preventing his entry.

"Chrissy," he said with feigned hurt, "can’t I visit my daughter without needing a reason?"

I glared at him, jaw tight.

"Didn’t get enough time at the police station? Stay a few more nights and maybe you won’t have time to stalk me."

To his credit, he didn’t flinch, immediately plastering that rigid smile back on his face.

"Even there, I was thinking about you. The weather’s getting colder, flu season’s starting. I just wanted to make sure you’re staying warm."

"Amazing what two nights in a cell can do. You pretend I don’t exist for twenty-three years, now suddenly you’re worried I might catch a cold."

He hesitated, blinking. "I mean it. I really care."

"Save it. What do you really want?"

"I just came to see you."

I crossed my arms. "You came to butter up Alpha Hudson. Drop the act."

His smile vanished.

He spotted Hudson emerging from the car, and his entire demeanor shifted. He straightened, brushed off nonexistent dust, then pushed past me heading straight for him.

"Alpha Hudson!" he called with a wide smile. "How’s your evening? I came to congratulate you, though I’m a bit late. Never expected you and Chrissy to marry! If only I’d known sooner..." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

His smile for Hudson was brighter than any he’d given me, eyes crinkled, voice artificially warm.

He thrust the gift boxes forward.

Hudson’s brow furrowed.

Franklin either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

"Chrissy has always been somewhat... shy," he continued, raising his voice. "Not very social, few close friends, and those suitors... well, nothing ever came of them. But now? She’s finally found true love. I’m so happy for her. I trust you’ll treat her well."

At that moment, I felt genuinely embarrassed. From what I knew,the Crescent Pack might not be one of the top packs in the northern territories, but it was still substantial. After all, even Ysolde’s Carlisle Pack relied on our pack’s resources. It was only because Franklin had threatened me using Ysolde that I’d agreed to find a better mate to escape the fate of marrying that old man.

And now here was my father, the Alpha who seemed so powerful and commanding in front of me, groveling before Hudson, hoping to catch whatever scraps of resources might fall from Hudson’s fingers for his company.

I seriously wondered if the Crescent Pack ’s business was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Unable to tolerate Franklin any longer, I moved to Hudson’s side, linking my arm with his. "Ignore him. Let’s go inside."

We turned and took several steps before Franklin hurried after us.

"Chrissy! I went through so much trouble to find you. Can’t you spare me ten minutes? Just coffee. It’s windy out here, don’t be so cold."

I gripped Hudson’s hand tighter, quickening my pace.

Franklin shouted behind us, "I’m still your father. You can’t avoid me forever. I might even drop by your studio sometime."

Hudson hesitated, his steps slowing.