Free Web NovelChapter 88: Chapter 88 Helena and Her crew
Sylvia’s POV
The afternoon light filtered through the massive glass ceiling of Crescent Mall as Noah, Melody, and I made our way across the polished floors.
The largest shopping center in the city buzzed with weekend energy, voices echoing against marble and glass.
"Third floor for the clothing department," I said, leading our little group toward the escalators.
The displays around us showcased everything from casual wear to formal attire, a kaleidoscope of colors and fabrics that almost made my wolf senses tingle with sensory overload.
Noah carried tiny Melody in his arms, following close behind me.
His golden hair caught the overhead lights as he shifted his Sylvia’s weight.
"Should we go directly to the children’s boutique?" he asked, adjusting Melody’s position against his chest.
"Yes, it’s just past the women’s section over there," I pointed toward the far end of the floor.
"You know," he said casually, "since we have the whole afternoon free, why don’t you browse a bit for yourself?"
I shook my head, feeling slightly uncomfortable mixing personal shopping with what was supposed to be help for Melody. "I have plenty of clothes already."
Noah’s gaze held mine, his eyes crinkling with humor. "Haven’t you heard that famous saying? A woman’s closet is always missing that one perfect outfit."
The way he looked at me—direct and warm, made it surprisingly difficult to refuse.
"I thought today was about getting clothes for Melody?" I tried again, my resolve weakening.
Noah bounced Melody gently in his arms.
"Melody’s in no rush, are you, sweetheart?" He looked down at his Sylvia, who blinked her large eyes but offered no response.
We exchanged knowing glances over the little girl’s head.
As long as she was healthy and comfortable, that was what mattered most.
Eventually, I caved to Noah’s enthusiastic insistence, and we found ourselves browsing through racks of women’s clothing first.
My interest was minimal—Mother always had designers send selections directly to our estate. Shopping in public stores was... unfamiliar territory.
"Let’s just move on," I said after a halfhearted glance at a display of blouses.
Noah tilted his head. "Nothing catches your eye?"
I was about to confirm when a voice cut through the ambient noise of the store.
"Sylvia? Is that really you shopping here?"
Noah and I turned simultaneously toward the voice.
I spotted Helena Blackwood the second she showed up—immaculate coat, perfected smirk, and a new accessory on her arm: a girl I didn’t recognize, but who clearly thought she had something to prove.
“Can I help you?” My voice was flat, cool, and cut clean through the tension in the room.
The girl turned to Helena with an arched brow and a smirk that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “So... this is her?”
Helena gave a small nod, lips tightening just enough to betray the lie in her calm. “That’s her.”
The girl stepped forward, circling me like she was waiting for something—fear? Insecurity? I gave her nothing.
She gave me a once-over and scoffed. “Honestly, I expected more. The way Helena described you, I thought you’d have... presence. This? Not impressive.”
Though her words dismissed me, I caught the flash of jealousy in her eyes.
My wolf growled, recognizing the challenge beneath the petty words.
I noticed Melody’s tiny arms tighten around Noah’s neck, her face pressing deeper into his shoulder since these women had appeared.
Her discomfort was palpable.
A cold laugh escaped my throat as I fixed Helena with an unwavering stare.
“I see you’ve been talking about me,” I said, voice dropping to a low, dangerous register. “I’d love to hear what version of me you’ve been selling to your friends.”
Helena’s eyes flicked sideways, all wide-eyed innocence and fake surprise. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I didn’t answer. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
I just watched her—watched the calculated tremble in her voice, the way she pretended confusion like it was some kind of shield.
It was sad, really. Almost insulting.
The silence between us turned leaden, thick with everything we weren’t saying.
But her little sidekick didn’t seem to get the memo.
She stepped forward, heels clicking, finger aimed at my chest like that gave her the right.
“You don’t get to intimidate Helena,” she snapped. “She can say whatever the hell she wants. Who even are you to act like you matter?”
I tilted my head, slow and deliberate. “I’m the woman she can’t stop talking about. That should tell you everything.”
Something flickered in her expression—doubt, maybe. But she pushed past it.
“You’re just her shadow,” she hissed. “Always trailing behind, trying to take what doesn’t belong to you.”
That last comment hit a nerve I didn’t realize was still raw.
My fingers curled into a tight fist, nails digging into my palm.
My face hardened as I stared Helena down.
So this was who she became when Caesar wasn’t around—no more masks, no more fake warmth. Just sharp smiles and sharper lies.
Helena finally made a move, reaching for her friend’s arm in a gesture that looked just staged enough to fool someone gullible.
“That’s enough, Cici,” she said softly. “Let’s not upset Sylvia. She’s sensitive about these things.”
I let out a soft laugh. Cold. Controlled.“Oh, please. Don’t play peacemaker now. You wind her up, then act surprised when she bites? You’re not subtle, Helena. You’re just sloppy.”
Cici tore her arm away, red-painted nail now practically shaking in front of my face.
“She wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you!” she spat. “You wormed your way in like some parasite. Nothing but a leech clinging to someone else’s spotlight.”
I stepped forward, closing the space between us, my voice dropping to a blade’s edge.
“I don’t leech,” I said slowly. “I build. I win. And if that threatens you, maybe ask yourself why.”
Her lips parted, but I didn’t give her the chance to speak.
“You think shouting makes you powerful?” I went on, tone calm but lethal. “It doesn’t. It makes you loud. That’s all.”
Cici’s face flushed.She tried one last jab, voice high and shaky. “Don’t you already have someone? Or do you just collect men the way some people collect shoes? Pathetic.”
Noah tensed beside me, shifting Melody to his other arm as he prepared to intervene.
I placed a restraining hand on his forearm, stopping him.
He looked at me questioningly—confused why I would tolerate such blatant disrespect.
This certainly didn’t match the Alpha personality he’d come to know.
But he didn’t have to wonder long.
In one fluid motion, I stepped forward and grabbed the finger still pointing rudely at my face. With precise pressure, I bent it backward just enough to send a clear message without breaking anything.
Cici let out a high-pitched shriek of pain and surprise.
Helena’s eyes widened in genuine shock. "Sylvia! What are you doing?!"
I caught Noah’s expression from the corner of my eye.
After his initial surprise, his face settled into something like approval—perhaps even admiration.
"Let—let go!" Cici gasped, sweat beading on her forehead from the pain.
"Sylvia, please! You’re hurting her! Let her go!" Helena pleaded, panic rising in her voice as she realized I wasn’t just putting on a show.
I ignored their protests, slowly increasing the pressure until Cici’s knees began to buckle.
Only when I saw true fear in her eyes did I finally release her.
As Cici cradled her throbbing finger, I calmly pulled a wet wipe from my purse and methodically cleaned each finger that had touched her, one by one, my disgust evident in every deliberate movement.
Cici pointed a trembling finger at me, her face drained of color. "You—you—"
I raised an eyebrow, daring her to continue. She immediately pulled her hand back, fear flashing across her face.
I caught Helena silently cursing her friend’s weakness. The corner of my mouth twitched with satisfaction.
"That’s what happens when people don’t know their place," I said, my voice carrying just far enough for nearby shoppers to hear. "And when someone has a filthy mouth—" I flicked my gaze meaningfully toward Helena "—sometimes they need to be reminded that even dogs should be trained properly."
Helena caught my meaning instantly. Her eyes narrowed as she stepped forward. "Does Caesar know this side of you, Sylvia?"
"Darling," I said, my voice dripping with false sweetness, "what happens between sisters is family business, isn’t it?"
I leaned closer, dropping my voice to a whisper t. "Your mouth belongs to you. What you do with it is your choice. But remember—wolves have long memories."
Without waiting for her response, I turned away, gesturing for Noah to follow.
As we walked toward the children’s department, I felt the weight of Helena’s glare burning into my back, but I didn’t turn around.
