Free Web NovelChapter 120: Chapter 120 Breaking Barriers
Sylvia’s POV
John’s expression darkened as Selene’s words hung in the air.
"Ms. Frost," he said sharply, his British accent suddenly razor-edged, "care to explain what exactly is going on here?"
His voice rose a notch, enough to turn more heads.
"I flew across the Atlantic at your invitation," he continued, tone clipped. "I came here under the impression this was a serious business proposal, not some circus sideshow. Accusations in the middle of a gala? This is your idea of professionalism?"
The crowd shifted like a school of fish sensing blood.
Whispers buzzed. Eyes darted. Nobody wanted to be caught staring, but they were all watching.
I met his gaze head-on, spine straight, expression calm—too calm, probably. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"My apologies, Mr. Sinclair. You’re right to be upset. And I assure you, I will address this—now."
I turned toward Selene with an icy stare that made my position unmistakably clear.
"My dear Selene," I said, voice as cool as the champagne in her glass, "if you’re going to air dirty laundry at a public event, at least make sure it’s not last season’s news."
Her smile faltered.
"As for the rumors you so graciously dredged up," I continued, "they were buried weeks ago—debunked, dismissed, and forgotten by anyone with an ounce of discernment. Frankly, I’m surprised you’re still clinging to them. Desperation isn’t a flattering look."
Gasps fluttered across the ballroom like dropped napkins.
John’s eyes narrowed, still skeptical, but now... curious.
"Is that so?" he asked, voice low.
I didn’t blink. "It is. And I have documentation, timestamps, and statements to prove it. The only people still talking are the ones who weren’t invited to the table in the first place."
He exhaled slowly, jaw working. "I came here because I believed in your vision, Ms. Frost. I thought you were different."
"And I still am," I replied smoothly.
"This—" I gestured toward Selene with a flick of the wrist, "—isn’t a reflection of Frostline. It’s a reflection of someone who wasn’t asked to join the conversation."
John glanced at Selene, then back at me.
"You should know," he said, this time louder, for the benefit of our captive audience, "LC doesn’t lack for suitors. There are plenty of companies eager for a seat at our table."
"I’m well aware," I said with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes, "but you didn’t fly 4,000 miles for any of them, did you?"
A beat of silence.
Then, slowly, John’s lips twitched—just barely.
Touché.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice to ensure our conversation felt more personal, more genuine. "What happened here tonight was unfortunate, but it’s also revealing. Every company faces internal challenges—what matters is how they’re handled."
I held his gaze steadily. "I promise you, nothing like this will happen again. Our partnership will be protected from such... distractions."
From the corner of my eye, I saw security finally earn their paycheck.
Two guards had Selene restrained—one with a firm grip on her arm, the other with a hand over her mouth, muffling whatever last-ditch tantrum she was trying to throw.
She looked like a deranged socialite who’d just been cut off from the open bar.
John’s gaze flicked in her direction, then back to me. He studied me like a man reading between lines.
Then, without a word, he reached for the pen.
"Very well, Ms. Frost," he said, his tone smooth but firm. "Let’s make history."
The room exhaled.
Then came the applause—sharp, sudden, and loud enough to drown every whisper of doubt. Wolves from every pack clapped like they’d just witnessed a coronation.
Because they had.
Under the glittering chandeliers, John and I shook hands, cameras flashing like fireworks around us.
It wasn’t just a contract signing—it was a message.
Frostline wasn’t playing regional politics anymore.
We were going global.
Across the ballroom, Selene was still struggling—heels dragging, hair out of place, fury etched across her face like a bad facelift.
I didn’t even glance her way.
She had made herself irrelevant. I didn’t need to lift a finger; she’d done the job for me.
Instead, I turned back to our guests, offered a gracious smile, and raised my glass.
"Thank you all for being here," I said, voice light but cutting through the room like a blade wrapped in velvet. "I do hope the entertainment was to everyone’s taste."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Selene screamed behind the guard’s hand.
I sipped my champagne. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Delicious.
—
Later, as the event wound down and guests began to depart, John pulled me aside with a curious expression.
"That woman who interrupted us—you know her?" he asked.
I allowed a hint of sadness to touch my smile. "She’s my sister, actually."
John’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and I saw something shift in his expression—a new level of respect, perhaps.
Family drama was universal, but handling it with grace under pressure? That was the mark of true leadership.
"Well," he said, extending his hand once more, "Ms. Frost, I’m genuinely looking forward to our partnership. After tonight, I’m even more convinced we’ve made the right choice with Frostline."
I met his firm handshake with one of my own. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Sinclair. I apologize for the... unexpected entertainment this evening provided."
He chuckled. "In business, it’s not about avoiding complications—it’s about how you handle them when they arise. And you, Ms. Frost, handle them exceptionally well."
We shared a knowing smile, both tacitly agreeing to consider Selene’s interruption nothing more than a minor footnote in the evening’s success.
As the last guests departed and the staff began clearing the hall, I allowed myself a moment of quiet satisfaction.
Throughout Howling Peaks, wolves would be talking about tonight’s achievement—how the younger Frost daughter had secured an international partnership that even Alpha Astra hadn’t managed to lock down.
The sweet taste of success was intoxicating.
What I hadn’t anticipated was Selene’s desperate attempt to derail everything.
Her jealousy had become so transparent, so pathetic, that it had actually worked in my favor. John now saw me as someone who could maintain composure and professionalism even when faced with personal attacks.
My wolf purred with satisfaction.
We had proven ourselves tonight.
And this was just the beginning.
But it wasn’t finished—not yet.
