Free Web NovelChapter 152: Chapter 152 Mate vs. Malice
Sylvia’s POV
The woman’s words hung in the air as I approached her with calm, measured steps.
"Look at him," I said, my voice carrying throughout the now-hushed ballroom. "My husband stands right here. Why would anyone with eyes and sense believe I’d look elsewhere?"
The woman clenched her fists, her gaze shifting from me to Morgana with undisguised hatred.
With a cold smile playing on my lips, I gestured toward Hugo standing in the corner.
"Come here," I commanded, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The crowd murmured with renewed interest, not understanding my intent. When Hugo stepped forward, his carefully cultivated image of the charming gentleman intact, some people actually laughed.
"Is she serious?" someone whispered loudly. "Her husband is standing right there, and she’s calling another man over?"
"Shameless," another added, judgment heavy in their tone.
I maintained my composure, a knowing half-smile fixed on my face as Hugo approached. Initially reluctant, his expression changed when I casually pointed to my phone. His eyes widened slightly—he remembered the recording I had of him, evidence of his betrayal that could destroy him in an instant.
That was all it took. He came to me like a trained puppy.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Selene’s furious expression. Even Caesar seemed momentarily puzzled by my strategy, though he trusted me enough to let it play out.
I smiled at the crowd, gesturing to the men on either side of me. "Everyone, this is my brother-in-law," I said, indicating Hugo. Then, turning to Caesar with genuine warmth in my eyes, I added, "And this is my husband."
The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. Caesar towered over Hugo, his powerful frame and commanding presence making Hugo look like a boy playing at being a man. With his chiseled features, dark penetrating gaze, and the raw Alpha energy radiating from him, Caesar made every other male in the room seem diminished by comparison.
Even the woman in the red dress faltered, doubt creeping into her expression as she visibly questioned the information she’d been fed.
But she’d gone too far to back down now. "So what?" she snapped, her patience visibly fraying. "What exactly are you trying to prove? Stop wasting everyone’s time and get to the point."
I didn’t rise to her bait. Instead, I simply smiled and slipped my arm through Caesar’s, leaning into his solid warmth.
"My mate and I have an excellent relationship," I said, feeling Caesar tense slightly beside me. "We’re perfectly matched."
Caesar’s eyes flashed with something primal when I called him "mate." My wolf sensed his response, purring with satisfaction at having pleased her mate.
I turned back to the woman in red. "I don’t know who put you up to this little performance."
"No one—" she started to protest.
"Don’t interrupt me," I cut her off smoothly. "I’m simply making a point. Look at my husband." I gestured to Caesar, whose midnight eyes were now gleaming with predatory focus. "Why would I ever need to seek attention elsewhere?"
My words hung in the air, and I felt Caesar’s arm tighten around me possessively.
"How would anyone know?" the woman countered, though her conviction was clearly wavering. "Maybe you just like variety." freёwebnovel.com
Selene was watching intently, clearly hoping this woman would somehow salvage the situation and bring me down.
Hugo stood awkwardly to the side, looking every bit the fool he was. He knew why I’d called him over—to make a point, to humiliate him as he’d tried to humiliate me. But he also knew that refusing would have been worse. Either way, he was trapped, and his discomfort was palpable.
Caesar addressed the crowd, his deep voice resonating through the space with natural authority. "I believe my wife has made herself perfectly clear."
Selene’s fists clenched at her sides, a growing unease evident in her posture. Her opportunity to see me fall was slipping away, and I could practically see her calculating whether she could salvage anything from this disaster.
The woman in red tried one final, desperate attempt. "But she hasn’t actually denied anything specific."
Caesar’s laugh was dark and dangerous, sending a shiver down my spine. "Why would she need to?" His arm slid around my waist, pulling me against his side in a gesture that was both protective and possessive. "I am her mate. Look at me—I am all the evidence she needs."
His arrogance should have been off-putting, but something in me—my wolf, certainly, but also the woman—responded to his absolute confidence. He was right, after all. The mate bond between Alphas was sacred and unbreakable. No wolf with sense would jeopardize such a connection for a fleeting thrill.
"You’ve seen us both," Caesar continued, his eyes fixed on Hugo with predatory amusement. "Do you honestly believe my mate would lower herself to pursue... that? After having me? What kind of fool would trade filet mignon for ground chuck?"
Hugo’s face flushed an ugly red. "Who do you think you are, pretty boy?" he sputtered, trying to salvage his pride. "You can’t talk to me like that!"
I stepped forward, protective instincts flaring. "He’s my lawfully wedded husband, not a ’pretty boy.’ Watch your tongue."
Selene’s face cycled through various shades of rage. Caesar’s dismissal of Hugo was, by extension, a dismissal of her as well. The public humiliation was clearly unbearable for her.
The crowd’s mood had shifted entirely. The whispers now were all variations on the same theme: Why would anyone with Caesar at home look elsewhere?
"She’s got a point..."
"I wouldn’t leave my house if I had that waiting for me..."
"Look at him—no way she’d cheat with Hugo of all people..."
The woman in red tried to speak again, but the crowd turned on her immediately.
"Enough!" someone called out. "They’re obviously in love. What’s wrong with you?"
"Exactly! She’s proven her point. She’s even brought her mate as evidence."
"Are you just trying to cause problems between them? Is that what this is about?"
Caesar’s arm around me tightened, his hand splayed possessively across my lower back as he glared at the woman. The intensity in his gaze made her physically step back—her wolf recognizing the threat of a dominant Alpha.
"Our bond is unbreakable," Caesar stated simply, but the power behind his words made them a decree rather than a statement.
The crowd’s reaction was immediate—cheers erupted as they celebrated this romantic declaration. I felt heat rising to my cheeks at being the center of such a display, but I couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest at Caesar’s protective stance.
Caesar turned to me, his eyes softening in a way I’d never seen before. "Shall we go home, love?" he asked, his voice intimate despite our audience.
I glanced around the room. No one would meet my eyes now—not the gossipers, not the accusers, not even my mother. Alpha Astra shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze entirely.
"Yes," I replied to Caesar, suddenly exhausted by the entire charade. "Let’s go."
There was no point in staying any longer. We’d made our statement, crushed the rumors, and exposed more than a few hypocrites along the way. The rest wasn’t worth my time or energy.
Caesar’s hand found the small of my back, guiding me through the parting crowd as we made our exit. No one dared to stop us or whisper as we passed.
