Free Web NovelChapter 165: Chapter 165 A Warning
Sylvia’s POV
Why was I protecting people who wouldn’t hesitate to destroy me?
My anger built as I reviewed the videos again. The careful editing, the strategic camera angles that made innocent conversations with Caesar look like scheming. Someone had gone to a lot of effort to make me look like an opportunistic bitch.
"You’re all so desperate to come at me," I growled, feeling my canines lengthen slightly as my wolf pushed closer to the surface. "When all I wanted was to build our company stronger."
I hadn’t asked for any of this chaos. I hadn’t sought out Caesar or this marriage. Yet everyone was acting like I’d masterminded some grand conspiracy, when I was just trying to navigate the mess others had created.
A throbbing started behind my eyes, and suddenly, unbidden, Caesar’s face floated through my mind. His piercing eyes, that rare genuine smile he seemed to save just for me, the solid strength of his presence.
I froze, surprised by how immediately I longed for his comfort. Since yesterday’s intimate moment in his office, something had shifted between us. The wall of formality had cracked, revealing something deeper, more primal.
When had that happened? When had I started to depend on him?
The realization sent a spike of fear through me. Dependency was dangerous. I’d spent years making sure I needed no one, especially not a man who’d married me for political advantage. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Yet... wasn’t that what mates were supposed to do?
Maybe leaning on him occasionally wasn’t such a terrible thing.
With that thought, I made a decision. That evening, instead of retreating to my separate bedroom as had been my habit, I went directly to our master suite. Caesar wasn’t home yet, but I didn’t mind waiting. After everything that had happened, I wanted—needed—to feel close to him tonight.
I was curled up in an armchair with a book when I heard footsteps approaching.
Helena.
My head started pounding immediately. This woman had been a thorn in my side since day one, hovering around Caesar like a lovesick puppy, refusing to accept reality. She’d been staying at the mansion far too long, with flimsy excuses that even Caesar seemed to see through.
Any idiot could tell Caesar viewed her strictly as a sister figure. Everyone but Helena herself, apparently, who clung to some teenage fantasy where he’d suddenly realize she was "the one."
"What do you want?" I asked, not bothering to hide my irritation.
Helena’s perfect smile dropped the moment she realized we were alone. "I came to see what kind of spell you’ve cast on Cae."
I raised an eyebrow, oddly refreshed by her open hostility. At least we were done pretending.
"Oh? Dropping the act now that Caesar isn’t around to witness it?"
Her pretty face twisted with hatred, her wolf energy spiking aggressively in the room.
"You bitch. I just want to know what you’ve done to make Cae so obsessed with you. What could he possibly see in you?"
I leaned back, crossing my arms lazily across my chest. This little girl was so transparent it was almost pitiful.
"Let’s see... maybe the fact that I’m his mate? While you’re just the ’little sister’ he talks about?" I gave her a deliberately condescending once-over. "And at least I have enough class not to throw tantrums and call people names when I don’t get my way."
My words hit their mark. Helena’s face flushed an ugly red as her hands balled into fists at her sides.
"This is all your fault! If you hadn’t interfered, Cae would have chosen me! You’re nothing but a homewrecker who destroyed what we had!"
I nearly laughed at the delusion. What they "had" existed solely in her imagination.
I could see the hatred and envy pouring off her in waves. It wasn’t just about Caesar—it was everything. My position, my looks, my confidence. Helena had been born into a powerful family but had inherited none of the standout genes that made her brother William so formidable. She’d spent her life being "Caesar’s little friend," and now she couldn’t stand that he’d chosen someone else.
She stepped closer, trembling with rage. "You might be the temporary distraction, but I’ve been by Caesar’s side for years. You’re nothing but an outsider. You don’t deserve him."
Her fist clenched tighter, knuckles white with strain. For a second, I wondered if she might actually try to attack me.
"Is there a point to this visit? Or did you just come to display your remarkable insecurity?" I asked dryly.
Her lips curved into a cold smile. "I’m giving you friendly advice. If you want to keep your precious company, you should stay away from Cae. Otherwise, what’s happening now will look like child’s play compared to what comes next."
"What’s happening now?" I repeated slowly, my wolf suddenly alert. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Don’t play dumb," she said, edging closer with a triumphant gleam in her eyes. "The troubles you’ve been facing lately... consider them a gentle warning."
Understanding dawned like ice water down my spine. The timing of everything—the LC contract issues, the social media attacks—it hadn’t been just Selene working against me.
"So you have connections at LC Corporation?" I asked, my voice dangerously soft, my wolf’s eyes gleaming through mine.
Helena laughed, the sound tinkling and malicious. "I don’t know anything about an ’LC Corporation,’ but I can promise that if you keep clinging to Caesar, your luck will only get worse. This is just the beginning of your troubles, darling."
"Is that so? I’d be very interested to see how you plan to make her life difficult."
Caesar’s deep voice cut through the room like a blade. He stood in the doorway, his powerful frame filling the space, eyes dark with controlled fury as they fixed on Helena.
My heart leapt at the sight of him—both from relief and from something else I wasn’t ready to name. But one thing was certain: the look on Helena’s face was absolutely priceless.
