Free Web NovelChapter 141: Chapter 141 Who Are You?
Sylvia’s POV
A sudden sneeze escaped me as I reviewed project documents in my office. I shook my head, trying to clear the distracting thoughts. My focus needed to remain on expanding our project portfolio and strengthening Frostline Enterprises.
Steadying my nerves, I returned my attention to the files before me, but barely made it through a paragraph before my temple began throbbing. The uneasiness in my chest grew stronger, my wolf becoming increasingly agitated.
What was happening?
Finding it impossible to concentrate, I stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the bustling city below. The view normally calmed me, but today even that failed to quiet the anxious rumbling of my wolf.
Just as I was about to force myself back to work, a knock interrupted my thoughts. My heart stuttered—that sense of foreboding intensifying. freёwebnovel.com
"Come in," I called, keeping my voice steady despite my wolf’s growing agitation.
My assistant entered with a troubled expression, hesitating at the threshold.
I set down my pen and straightened. "Whatever it is, just tell me directly."
He took a deep breath. "Ms. Frost, there’s a man downstairs. He’s set up a banner, hired a band, and he’s... publicly declaring his love for you."
My eyes widened in disbelief. "You’re certain it’s meant for me?"
"Yes, ma’am. The banner clearly displays your position and full name. I thought it might be someone with the same name at first, but it’s definitely directed at you."
My brows knotted together as dread pooled in my stomach. Could it be Zane? Again? Hadn’t he learned his lesson from last time? What game was he playing now?
"I’ll go see what this is about," I said, rising from my chair.
My assistant stepped forward, blocking my path. "Ms. Frost, I strongly advise against that. There’s quite a crowd gathering. Your reputation—"
"Is exactly why I need to handle this personally," I finished for him.
I moved to the window again, looking down at the gathering crowd below.
My assistant was right, confronting this situation could damage my professional image. But ignoring it would be worse. This spectacle was directed at me, and I couldn’t hide from it. The company’s reputation could suffer if I appeared weak or evasive.
"I need to address this," I said firmly, striding past him toward the door.
I clenched my fists as anger rose within me. "Zane, what the hell are you trying to accomplish?" I muttered under my breath. Clearly, my previous lesson hadn’t been harsh enough. This time, I would make sure he was completely and utterly humiliated.
Stepping out of the elevator into the lobby, I nearly staggered at the scene before me. Now I understood my assistant’s reluctance.
Zane had outdone himself with his shameless display. Journalists with cameras surrounded the entrance, capturing every moment. He’d erected a life-sized cardboard cutout of me alongside an enormous banner reading: "Sylvia, CEO of Frostline Enterprises, I will love you forever—be mine for eternity."
Balloons, flowers, speakers blasting "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran—the whole spectacle was designed to appear romantic. To anyone else, such a grand gesture might seem touching.
But to me? It felt like harassment. Invasive. Nauseating.
Every move Zane made disgusted me to my core. My wolf snarled beneath my skin, demanding I put this male in his place.
"What exactly do you think you’re doing?" I asked, my voice cutting through the music.
Zane’s eyes brightened when he spotted me. With a subtle nod to the journalists, he ensured they captured every moment of what came next.
"Sylvia," he said, his voice dripping with fabricated tenderness. "I’m simply doing what I should have done years ago. During our three years together, you always complained I wasn’t romantic enough."
He spread his arms wide, gesturing at the extravagant display. "Now I’m showing you—and everyone—just how romantic I can be! I’m proving myself to you!"
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, completely taken in by his performance.
My head throbbed as my wolf clawed inside me, desperate to break free and tear this male apart. I forced my emotions down. I couldn’t lose control, not with all these witnesses and cameras trained on us.
I caught Zane’s subtle smirk, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. This was exactly what he wanted—to back me into a corner using public pressure, forcing me to submit.
I nearly laughed at his audacity. How thick could his skin possibly be? What about his precious true mate, Chloe? Was she suddenly disposable now?
Chloe. Of course.
"Who are you?" I asked suddenly, my tone deliberately blank.
The cheering crowd fell silent. Zane froze, confusion flickering across his face.
"Sylvia, are you joking?" His smile turned awkward. "Have you forgotten our three years together? I’m here to win you back. Please, give me another chance."
While he spoke, I discreetly activated the voice recorder on my phone and sent Chloe a quick message with our location.
"Oh, now that you mention it, I do remember something," I replied lazily, twirling a strand of hair between my fingers.
The crowd leaned forward, hanging on my every word. Even the journalists seemed captivated by this unexpected turn.
"And?" Zane prompted, impatience edging into his voice when I didn’t continue.
"Nothing really. I just remembered—you’re that ex-boyfriend who gave me counterfeit gifts, then demanded them back after we broke up." I nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, now I recall perfectly."
"You—" Zane spluttered, finger pointing at me accusingly, words failing him.
That incident had been particularly humiliating for him. His friend had pocketed the money meant for my gifts, buying cheap knockoffs instead. And now I’d exposed him in front of everyone.
The crowd’s attitude shifted instantly.
Zane clearly noticed the changing sentiment. His jaw clenched, but he couldn’t lash out—not with the journalists he’d invited documenting everything.
I arched an eyebrow, curious how he’d try to salvage this.
"Sylvia, I was deceived by someone I trusted," he protested, his voice taking on a wounded quality. "My friend took my money and lied to me. I have the chat logs to prove it! I trusted him to make the purchases, and he betrayed that trust."
He pressed a hand to his chest, eyes glistening with perfectly timed tears. "When I discovered his deception, I cut him off completely. I was a victim too."
His performance was masterful. I had to give him that. My wolf scoffed at his theatrics.
"The poor man," someone in the crowd murmured. "He seems so sincere."
"Those fake friends are the worst," another agreed. "At least he found out what kind of person his friend really was."
Just like that, public opinion swung back in Zane’s favor.
"I think she should give him another chance," a woman called out. "He’s being so transparent and honest!"
"Yeah! When will I find someone who makes such romantic gestures?" another sighed.
Rage boiled beneath my skin, my wolf snapping her jaws in frustration. These people knew nothing about me, about us, yet they felt entitled to dictate my romantic choices based on a five-minute spectacle.
I mentally cataloged each face in the crowd, committing them to memory. These sheep, so easily manipulated by a sob story and some tears, disgusted me almost as much as Zane himself.
Taking advantage of the sympathetic crowd, Zane stepped closer, reaching for my hand. I quickly stepped back, maintaining distance between us.
"What do you think you’re doing?" I demanded coldly.
Zane adopted a hurt expression. "Sylvia, after all the love I’ve shown you, how can you treat me this way? I—"
"If you love her so much, what does that make me?"
A familiar female voice cut through the crowd. My lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Perfect timing.
