Fake Mating To My Ex's Powerful Enemy

Chapter 151: Chapter 151 Cassian’s Audacity

Christina’s POV

"He knows." Ysolde made a pained face. "He wasn’t even angry, just smug, like he’d been waiting for this moment. Said he’d smelled other female wolves on Cassian all along."

Not surprising. Emmett had disliked Cassian from the beginning, even though they ran in the same Alpha circles.

Ysolde patted her cheeks, trying to stand up but slumping back down. "Let’s go eat. The contractors are coming to finish up this afternoon. Once the shop opens, I won’t have time to think about that useless Alpha anymore. I’m really over him." But her voice still trembled and tears still flowed as she spoke.

I nodded, but I didn’t believe her at all. Seeing my best friend this heartbroken triggered my protective instincts almost beyond control. freёwebnoѵel.com

I started visiting Sugar & Whim more frequently after that.

Watching her closely.

There were definitely signs of collapse.

Her eyes were often red and swollen when she wiped down counters, her voice raspy when ordering bulk flour, her mind wandering while directing contractors.

She never mentioned Cassian again, but I often caught her staring blankly at her phone screen or suddenly stopping mid-task, her eyes vacant.

She talked mechanically about business matters only. Equipment, packaging, rent.

Even after the gold-foil sign went up, I couldn’t help checking on her every hour. As her friend, I couldn’t let her face this pain alone.

***

That afternoon, my phone buzzed with Hudson’s name on the screen.

"Dinner tonight," he said without preamble. "I want you to meet a potential client."

"Sure."

I needed this.

Octavia Grey had sent a few minor celebrities and social media influencers my way, all desperate for custom pieces. I’d drafted designs for three of them, but nothing had progressed to contracts. My schedule was embarrassingly empty. freeweɓnovel.cøm

I met Hudson at Chancellor’s, a private club nestled between two office buildings in the heart of downtown. He leaned against the wrought-iron railing, his collar upturned against the wind.

"Just got here," he said, his breath forming white clouds. "You’ll freeze out here. Let’s go inside."

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder. "What’s this client like?"

"Not entirely sure," Hudson replied. "Cassian connected them with me. Said it was a friend of his."

"What kind of friend?"

He kept walking.

I didn’t.

I should have stayed home. If I’d known this was Cassian’s contact, I wouldn’t have touched it with a ten-foot pole. I didn’t care if my studio never turned a profit again; that asshole Alpha Cassian Langford and his referrals could go to hell.

Hudson didn’t notice my change in attitude. He pushed open the club’s door.

"She’s apparently some hot actress. Just starred in that show everyone’s talking about. Her name’s all over the place now."

"A female actress?"

Hudson glanced back. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing. Let’s just get this over with."

He stepped aside, holding the door.

I walked in with my chin up and shoulders back.

Cassian Langford was lounging on a velvet sofa, legs stretched out, one arm draped across the back, radiating typical Alpha arrogance.

Beside him sat a girl with a high ponytail wearing a light green sweater.

Her face was small and round, softly illuminated by the hanging lights above.

She looked bright-eyed and glowing, like she’d just stepped off a morning show set, reeking of sickly-sweet perfume trying to mask her cheap scent.

I recognized her. Barely.

This was the rising star Ysolde had warned me about.

Zoe Foster.

She’d gotten her break playing a scheming sister in some Regency-era TV drama.

In person, she looked less polished. Narrower jaw, sharper eyes, skin not as flawless as on camera.

You’d recognize her if you squinted.

I stared at her coldly while Akira growled in my mind, demanding we teach this homewrecker a lesson. "You’re Zoe Foster, right?"

She stood, wearing that practiced fake smile. "Yes, that’s me. Lovely to meet you."

I ignored her extended hand and pulled out my phone instead.

She glanced at Cassian like a puppy waiting for commands.

"Don’t just stand there," he said carelessly, completely oblivious to the impending storm. "I’ve already ordered. Look at the menu, see if you want anything else."

I didn’t respond. My thumb rapidly scrolled through recent red carpet photos of her.

I looked up, maliciously turning my screen toward her. "I’m looking at your red carpet photos. Wow, your photo editor must get paid a fortune. You look nothing like your pictures. Honestly? Kind of disappointing. No wonder you need all that foundation."

I deliberately tilted the phone so both she and Cassian could see her over-edited photos more clearly.

Zoe’s expression froze, her face draining of color. Her lips trembled slightly, tears of humiliation threatening to spill. She clutched her sweater sleeves tightly without speaking.

She glanced anxiously toward Cassian, seeking protection.

Cassian’s expression shifted from relaxed to tense, his jaw tightening.

His voice carried an Alpha’s threatening undertone, "Christina, what the hell is wrong with you? You just met her and you’re already attacking. I brought her because I thought you could design something for her. She’s hot right now, and working with her benefits you, not the other way around."

Hudson shot him a glare that should have burned a hole through his smug suit.

Then Hudson leaned close to me, whispering, "Christina, do you know her? Am I missing something? Maybe we should talk privately—"

I didn’t move, continuing to stare at Zoe with a cold smile. "I’m not staying. Find yourself a different designer, Zoe. Someone who specializes in... budget-friendly pieces."

Zoe’s face flushed crimson, tears welling in her eyes.

"I... Did I do something wrong? I don’t think we’ve met before, but if I’ve offended you somehow, I’d be happy to apologize." Her voice was almost pleading.

Cassian immediately touched her shoulder, displaying a protective stance.

"Don’t cry, let me figure out what’s happening," he said, turning to me with dangerous flashes in his eyes. "Christina, I was trying to introduce you to a promising client. What’s going on? We haven’t even eaten, and you’re already insulting her?"

I looked at this scene with contempt, my anger reaching its peak. "Cut the act, Cassian. Bringing your side piece to meet your ex’s best friend? That’s a new level of tasteless, even for you."

Cassian used to be Hudson’s old friend, and as Alpha of the Moonstone Pack, I’d maintained basic respect for him.

Not today.