Free Web NovelChapter 69: Chapter 69 Two Ms. Frost
Author’s POV
Selene was still stewing about her sister’s triumph, calculating her next move, when someone suddenly grabbed her arm. Before she could process what was happening, she was being verbally assaulted.
No one would take that kind of treatment. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Recognizing Zane’s face, her anger flared even hotter. "Get your hands off me, you lunatic!" she snapped.
Zane refused to release her, his fingers digging into her skin. "I’m not letting go. What are you going to do about it? If it wasn’t for your deception, I would never have mistaken you for someone else!"
Hugo’s fist connected with Zane’s face before anyone could blink. In one swift motion, he pulled Selene away from Zane’s grip and tucked her protectively against his chest. "Are you okay, Selene? Did he hurt you?"
Selene shook her head, clutching Hugo’s arm. "I’m fine. This man is just spouting nonsense."
"Nonsense?" Zane wiped blood from his lip, his expression darkening as he glared at Selene. "Wasn’t it you who told me you were Ms. Frost that day at Frostline Enterprises lobby? How else would I have made such a mistake? You’re quite the schemer."
Looking at Selene, Zane saw nothing but an opportunistic woman willing to say anything to get ahead.
Selene’s brows furrowed in confusion. "I have no idea what you’re talking about. You approached me that day—we’d never even met before."
"This is a Frostfang event," she added coldly. "You’re causing trouble where you shouldn’t."
Zane spat, completely unintimidated. "Of course I know where I am. You’re nothing but an impostor. What are you so proud of?"
He moved toward Selene again, intent on getting answers. "You’d better give me a proper explanation, or the Thorne Pack will make you regret it. And your boyfriend here who dared to strike me—I won’t forget that either."
That was the last straw for Hugo. He swung again, connecting with Zane’s other cheek with perfect precision.
After delivering the punch, Hugo admired his handiwork with cool detachment. "There. Now it’s symmetrical. Much better."
Selene watched Zane howl in pain, a flash of vicious satisfaction in her eyes. What a waste of space, she thought. At a time like this, he should be figuring out how to deal with Sylvia, not fixating on her. How could someone’s brain be so utterly useless?
Zane erupted in fury. "You dare hit me? Do you have any idea who I am?"
His outburst triggered laughter from the gathering crowd.
Hugo’s pack alone had enough influence to counter the Thorne Pack—there was nothing to fear. Still, Hugo responded coolly, "What difference does it make who you are? Does that make you untouchable?"
"Of course it does!"
Zane made his threat with conviction. "The Thorne Pack may be based in Alderwood, but we’re not without power in Howling Peaks. You think you can get away with this? I’ll—"
"So you’re saying you’re willing to abuse Sylvia’s sister as well?" Hugo interrupted.
Zane was already waving his hand dismissively, his mouth moving faster than his brain. "I don’t care whose sis—"
"SISTER?"
Zane froze mid-gesture, his expression comically suspended in shock. His gaze shifted from Hugo to Selene, his mouth working soundlessly before he finally stammered, "Y-you’re Ms. Frost?"
"I forgot to introduce myself properly. I’m Selene Frost," she replied, lifting her chin with undisguised arrogance.
She savored his shocked expression, finding unexpected pleasure in his discomfort. Just moments ago, when he’d grabbed her, his attitude had been completely different.
Zane staggered backward, the pain in his face forgotten. His mind went blank, the world spinning around him.
The spectators who had gathered to watch the confrontation burst into laughter. "Well, well! Look who’s making a scene!"
"He came looking for ’Ms. Frost’ and grabbed the wrong sister instead!"
"Can you believe it? After being with Sylvia for three years, he didn’t even know her real identity!"
The voices washed over Zane like a tidal wave as his face drained of color. He clenched his fists, certain something wasn’t adding up.
Conscious of his position, Zane forced himself to apologize. "I’m sorry, Ms. Frost. I mistook you for someone else."
He ignored the surrounding commentary, but Hugo wasn’t finished with him. "What, you think a simple apology is enough after manhandling her?"
"What more do you want?" Zane turned to face Hugo’s icy expression, not understanding the man’s intentions.
He’d only heard rumors about Hugo—that his family background was impressive, but the man himself was two-faced at best.
Hugo’s lips curved into a cold smile. "I don’t want anything. I just think someone who can’t even use their eyes properly should stay away from us in the future. I don’t enjoy watching clowns perform."
Zane understood the insult perfectly, but with so many witnesses, he didn’t want to escalate the situation further.
"Fine. I apologize. By the Goddess Moon, I swear I won’t make such a mistake again."
Hugo snorted, eyeing the matching bruises forming on Zane’s face but choosing not to press further.
"Since it was just a misunderstanding, please be more careful in the future, Alpha Zane," Selene said with a polite smile.
She couldn’t afford to completely alienate him—he might still prove useful someday.
Zane nodded slightly, his face a mask of loss and confusion.
Hugo wrapped his arm around Selene’s waist and spoke near her ear, deliberately loud enough to be overheard: "Selene, next time avoid interacting with such questionable characters."
Zane’s fists clenched as he recognized the insult. He’d had enough. "That’s enough from you. You’ve already hit me twice. What more do you want?"
Hugo simply snorted in response.
Not wanting to prolong the confrontation, Zane turned and walked away, feeling the weight of every stare on his back. His usually straight posture now slumped slightly under the humiliation.
He retreated to a corner, hiding from the crowd’s scrutiny, but he had no intention of leaving just yet.
"Sylvia, you bitch. I won’t forget this. What a clever little game you played," he muttered.
Spotting a glass of whiskey on a nearby table, Zane grabbed it and drained it in one gulp.
The burning liquid helped ease his frustration somewhat, but he could still feel the weight of mocking glances directed his way. He’d become the laughingstock of the entire event.
The alcohol clouded his thoughts, bringing back memories of the previous gathering his friend had arranged. Sylvia had been there too.
He’d been mistaken then as well. Why hadn’t Sylvia simply told everyone who she really was? Her deliberate concealment had kept him in the dark all this time.
The more he dwelled on it, the more his resentment grew. Three years together, and he had gained nothing from his relationship with Sylvia. Now, because of her, he’d become the joke of their social circle.
Everything was Sylvia’s fault.
Zane downed another glass, his head growing foggy. Through the haze, one thought remained crystal clear—he needed to confront Sylvia and demand answers.
Setting down his empty glass, his eyes scanned the crowd.
There she was, radiant and elegant among her admirers, wearing a perfectly composed smile. Every movement she made exuded grace and allure.
All around her, people of various standings hung on her every word—some familiar to him, others strangers.
Why should he suffer ridicule while that deceitful woman basked in adoration?
The more he thought about it, the more his bitterness festered.
Slowly, Zane rose to his feet, his eyes darkening with malice as they fixed on Sylvia’s figure across the room.
With determined steps, he began moving toward her. He would have his answers tonight, one way or another.
