Free Web NovelChapter 139: Chapter 139 Double Standards
Author’s POV
The elevator doors slid open with a soft ping, and Sylvia straightened her blazer as a delegation from Vertex Corporation stepped onto Frostline’s executive floor. She’d prepared extensively for this progress report, but wasn’t expecting the shower of praise they immediately directed toward both her and Alpha Astra, who had joined them in the conference room.
"Mrs. Frost, your General Manager is truly exceptional," said the Vertex executive director, his wolf energy practically humming with approval. "The younger generation pushing the older one forward, indeed!"
Another representative nodded enthusiastically. "With Ms. Frost at the helm, I’m confident our partnership will only grow stronger."
"We’re getting old," chuckled a third, a distinguished she-wolf with silver-streaked hair. "It’s these young talents we rely on now."
Alpha Astra’s face bloomed with a smile that hadn’t faded since the meeting began. Having Vertex praise her daughter reflected well on her own leadership and pack parenting. Each compliment was a feather in her cap, a public acknowledgment that her bloodline was as exceptional as she’d always claimed.
"You’re far too kind," Alpha Astra responded graciously, her voice honeyed with maternal pride. "She’s still young and has much to learn."
"Nonsense! She’s brilliant!"
Alpha Astra’s smile widened. "Well, she does have her own drive and ambition. No matter how much we might try to push our children forward, they must have that internal fire to succeed."
From the corner of the room, Selene watched the entire exchange with a frozen smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Her manicured fingers tightened around her crocodile-skin clutch until her knuckles whitened. Had she not just had her nails done, they might have snapped under the pressure of her grip.
Her jaw clenched, molars grinding as she observed the scene unfolding before her. Why did Sylvia always command everyone’s attention and affection? Even their mother’s focus remained fixed on her younger sister.
Where did that leave Selene?
The burning sensation of jealousy clawed at her insides like a rabid wolf. Her inner beast paced restlessly, demanding recognition and dominance that continued to be denied to her.
Alpha Astra remained oblivious to Selene’s darkening mood, too preoccupied with the flood of praise to notice the storm brewing in her elder daughter’s eyes. Even when Selene received compliments, they came as an afterthought, offered in a markedly different tone.
"Is this your eldest daughter?" one of the Vertex representatives asked, finally acknowledging Selene’s presence."Such a lovely young lady."
Alpha Astra nodded, her smile never wavering. "Yes, both my daughters are my pride and joy."
The group collectively praised Alpha Astra’s good fortune in having two such devoted daughters. She merely smiled in response, offering nothing further.
Selene maintained her rigid smile, acutely aware that her mother had deliberately avoided elaborating.
This realization only deepened the well of resentment she harbored toward both Alpha Astra and Sylvia. They were both her family, yet she remained forever the outsider. Why the preferential treatment? Were they not both daughters of the same house?
After the Vertex delegation departed, Alpha Astra remained in high spirits. She turned to Sylvia, her eyes gleaming with rare approval.
"Your work on the Vertex partnership has been exemplary," she said, her voice warmer than usual. "Keep this standard going forward."
Sylvia’s lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you, Alpha. I’ll continue to do my best."
The formal address—"Alpha" instead of "mother"—caused Alpha Astra’s brow to furrow slightly. Before she could comment, Selene swooped in, her voice dripping with false concern.
"Sister, this is our mother you’re speaking to. Why address her as ’Alpha’?" Selene’s eyes widened in manufactured innocence. "Doesn’t that make everything feel so... formal between us?"
Sylvia arched an eyebrow, turning her cool gaze toward her adoptive sister. "And your point is?"
Her wolf growled silently at Selene’s interference, recognizing the calculated attempt to drive a wedge between her and their mother.
Selene recoiled as if struck, immediately turning to Alpha Astra with wounded eyes. "Mother, did I say something wrong? Why is she so angry with me?"
What had been a mild irritation in Alpha Astra’s mind suddenly magnified under Selene’s spotlight. Her daughter’s formality now seemed not just odd but deliberate—disrespectful, even.
"It’s nothing," Alpha Astra soothed Selene, while her eyes hardened as they shifted to Sylvia. "Your sister has her reasons, I’m sure."
Sylvia barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. There was no point explaining herself; she and Selene had fundamentally different goals and approaches to life. One played the doting daughter, the other focused on building something lasting. After experiencing the pure, powerful connection with Caesar, these petty manipulations seemed even more transparent and pointless.
"Alpha, I should escort the Vertex management team out," Sylvia said evenly, her expression revealing nothing as she glanced at Selene, looking through her as if she were examining an irritating but ultimately insignificant insect.
The mention of "Vertex" immediately shifted Alpha Astra’s demeanor once more. Business trumped family drama every time.
"Very well," she nodded briskly. "You may go. Focus on your responsibilities with Vertex. Frostline’s daily operations don’t require your attention right now."
The implication wasn’t lost on Selene. Alpha Astra was essentially telling her to stay out of Sylvia’s domain. frёeωebɳovel.com
Sylvia accepted her mother’s dismissal with a calm nod. She had anticipated this response and saw no benefit in engaging further. Without another word, she turned and left the room, refusing to be drawn into their toxic dynamic. Her thoughts briefly turned to Caesar, wondering if he had any connection to the Vertex executives being so enthusiastically supportive of her work.
As the door closed behind Sylvia, Alpha Astra fixed her gaze on Selene.
"I know you harbor resentment toward your sister," she stated bluntly, her Alpha power brushing against Selene’s consciousness like a warning.
"Mother, no! I don’t—" Selene’s eyes widened in protest, but Alpha Astra silenced her with a raised hand.
"Don’t bother denying it. Your thoughts are transparent to me," she said, her voice eerily calm. "I can read your intentions as clearly as if they were written across your forehead."
Selene fell silent, her initial panic giving way to defiance. What did it matter if Alpha Astra had seen through her? The company had never given her the opportunities it had given Sylvia. Perhaps it was time to lay her grievances bare, to force her mother to acknowledge her role in creating this divide.
"So what now, Mother?" Selene asked, her voice trembling not with fear but with suppressed anger. "I am your child too. Do you truly believe you’ve been fair?"
Alpha Astra’s pupils constricted with shock. "Do you understand what you’re saying?"
"Perfectly, Mother," Selene replied, a strange calm settling over her. "I’ve never been more clear-headed." freёweɓnovel.com
Alpha Astra sighed deeply, her shoulders dropping slightly. "The fact that you’re standing here confronting me proves you don’t understand my intentions at all."
The statement struck Selene as so absurd she nearly laughed aloud.
"Your ’intentions’? You mean handing the entire company to Sylvia?" She pressed a hand to her chest in a theatrical display of devotion. "Mother, I know how exhausted you are. Everything I do is to help shoulder your burden, to make you happier."
Alpha Astra’s lips curved in a smile that held no warmth, and she offered no response to Selene’s declaration of loyalty. The silence stretched between them, making Selene’s passionate speech seem increasingly pathetic.
"If there’s nothing else, I should go," Selene finally said, discomfort crawling up her spine like ice water.
Alpha Astra merely hummed in acknowledgment, already turning her attention to documents on the conference table.
Selene retreated without another word, maintaining her dignified posture until the door closed behind her. Once in the empty hallway, her face transformed. The mask of the dutiful daughter crumbling to reveal raw hatred beneath.
"Sylvia," she whispered to the empty corridor, her voice vibrating with malice, "just wait. Every slight, every humiliation I’ve suffered today—I promise I’ll return them all to you, with interest."
