Chapter 254

Author’s pov

Mrs. Dahlia felt her blood run cold.

A splash of orange juice soaked into her skirt, but she barely noticed. Her mind was spinning, each realization clicking into place with terrifying precision.

The woman in the green dress had been the catalyst. A single detail that had triggered Maggie Locke’s rage and sent their entire plan into a downward spiral.

And now, the truth hit her like a slap to the face. The failure hadn’t been a shared misstep.

It had been her fault. Completely.

That night, she had been too focused on keeping Maggie from losing control to check the hallway security footage.

She had planned to review it later, to identify the mystery woman in the green dress. But before she could, Maggie had called. That call had nearly gotten her killed.

And now, seated just across from her aboard Sebastian’s private jet, was the very same woman.

She was Alpha Sebastian’s secretary.

The green dress hadn’t been a coincidence. Nor was her presence.

There was only one explanation: [Alpha Sebastian had known about their scheme the entire time. He’d sent his secretary to protect his mother. Had he used his own mother as bait?

If that was true, then he knew everything.

That whole conversation earlier?Sebastian’s questions weren’t casual.He was testing her.

Good God. The extent of his planning gave her the creeps p>

She took a shaky sip of orange juice, hoping to soothe the panic clawing at her chest. But her hands trembled, and her lips barely held the glass steady.

Cecilia watched her calmly. Her sharp eyes caught every shift in Mrs. Dahlia’s expression—first shock, then realization, and finally, fear.

“Mrs. Dahlia,” Cecilia said, her voice like frost, each syllable deliberate and sharp. “Drink slowly. I’d hate for you to stain the carpet p>

“S-sorry… ” Mrs. Dahlia stammered, clumsily setting the glass down and dabbing at the spill on her skirt. Her heart pounded so violently she could feel it in her throat.

She didn’t dare look up immediately, but when she finally did, her eyes landed on Sebastian and Cecilia again—and in that moment, she saw them as they truly were.

Not just powerful. Not just beautiful. Predators. Ancient. Patient. Deadly.

Every bit as terrifying as Maggie Locke.

Sebastian sat with his back to her, listening to updates through a sleek earpiece. Though his attention was on his staff’s report, he caught snippets of the exchange between the women.

A flicker of confusion passed briefly over his face.

Why was Mrs. Dahlia so afraid of Cece?

At the Black Residence.

Luna Regina sat at the long breakfast table, staring at her untouched plate of eggs and toast. Her appetite had vanished days ago.

She had assumed finding the woman in the green dress would be simple. Ask Dahlia. Get a name. Done. But Dahlia had disappeared, and the security footage from the masquerade had been wiped clean.

With no leads, Luna Regina had resorted to asking around—other women who had attended the masquerade, socialites with sharp tongues and sharper memories. But after nearly a week, all she had uncovered was a parade of self-promoting imposters desperate for attention.

“Mom, Mrs. Stone says her daughter wore a green dress that night. Could this be her p>

Zaria, Sebastian’s little sister who hadn’t been around in ages, held up her phone for her mother to see.

Luna Regina took one glance and pushed it away. “Not even close. The woman I’m looking for had long legs, a curvy figure, and perfect posture. Big eyes. Fair skin. She carried herself like she owned the place p>

Zaria raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. “Mom, are you sure you’re not describing a Disney princess? Slim waist, big chest, long legs, flawless skin…what next? Wings p>

York, Sebastian’s brother, snorted and hid his laugh behind his hand.

“My darling daughter is such a little savage,” Alpha Yardley chuckled, ruffling Zaria’s hair affectionately. “Your mother’s just desperate. She put the word out, and now every woman in town thinks she’s the mystery heroine p>

“If you’re so clever, why don’t you come up with a better idea?” Luna Regina snapped, her patience paper-thin.

Alpha Yardley didn’t flinch. He leaned back, thinking for a moment. “Well, Beta Sawyer mentioned Miss Moore was at the masquerade that night. She’s sharp. If anyone got a good look at the woman in green, it’d be her p>

He paused meaningfully, then added, “And unlike the rest of them, she’s not the type to lie just to win favor p>

That caught Luna Regina’s attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly, the wheels turning behind them. Evelyn Moore. She wasn’t part of their circle, didn’t care for status games, and had an irritating habit of saying exactly what she thought.

Luna Regina groaned and buried her face in her hands. “Of course. Why didn’t I think of that p>

Her fingers clenched slightly in her hair, as if frustrated with her own oversight.

She turned to York, who calmly continued eating his breakfast, entirely unfazed by the family’s chaos. His plate was clean, his coffee still steaming, and he looked like he hadn’t heard a word of the argument.

“Drag your father out of here. I can’t stand the sight of him p>

“Gladly,” York replied, rising smoothly and plucking his father’s fork right out of his hand. “Come on, Dad. You’ve been banished p>

Alpha Yardley responded with a playful punch to his arm. “Ungrateful brat p>

Zaria giggled behind her hand while Luna Regina rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched ever so slightly.