Chapter 166

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Third Person’s POV
Priscilla let out an “Oh,” pressing her fingers against her nasolabial folds.
Her tone was complex, “Adelaide is not easy to deal with.”
Clarissa, of course, understood her thoughts.
She immediately cautioned, “You’ll be living in Lance’s Blackthorn Pack soon. If you don’t understand pack affairs, don’t force yourself into management. Adelaide will naturally take charge…
“Clarissa, that’s not right,” Priscilla interrupted, uncharacteristically serious.
“I don’t trust her. Let me be clear–I don’t like her, I don’t want her as Lance’s mate, and I won’t allow her to manage the Blackthorn Pack.”
“Oh? So you’ll take over?”
Clarissa arched an eyebrow. “Fine. Tomorrow, I’ll have Camilla hand over the palace management to you. Let her rest, and you try managing for a few days.”
“I’ve managed palace affairs before. And when you were in charge, did I not help you often?” Priscilla retorted.
“You did help, but mostly in ways that complicated things,” Clarissa said bluntly.
“Our parents spoiled you. After you entered the palace, I had to watch over and protect you at every turn. You were able to safely give birth to a son and a daughter only because I smoothed things over behind the scenes. How many times did I clean up after your messes?”
“But in Lance’s Blackthorn Pack, if you want peace, don’t provoke Adelaide. Whether you like or oppose her, it’s a done deal that she’s Lance’s mate. Your opposition won’t change that.”
“However, if you cause trouble in the Blackthorn Pack, I won’t let you off the hook.”
Clarissa rarely spoke to her so sternly. Priscilla knew that because of Adelaide, her sister seemed to care for her less, which deepened her resentment toward Adelaide.
Yet she understood the reality–no matter her dissatisfaction, Adelaide would become Lance’s mate, and she couldn’t stop it.
She thought, “it’s true that at Madison’s birthday party, the announcement had already been made publicly.”
Now, if she claimed to forbid their bond, Adelaide’s reputation would be ruined.
After much deliberation, she decided to take things one step at a time.
Soon, the news that Alpha Lance, with Lycan blood, was to bond with Adelaide spread throughout the city,
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Opinions varied – some said Adelaide was unworthy, while others called them a perfect match.
But another narrative quickly emerged–when Adelaide had mated Ulrik years ago, it was mere months after Alpha Bentley’s death.
Now, less than a year after her mother’s passing, she was set to mate again.
Clearly, she had no regard for her parents.
How could a unfilial person have cared for Rosemary in the Bloodmoon Pack?
This narrative spread like wildfire.
Within days, the situation escalated, with some even heckling near the Frostfang Pack’s territory.
Beata was nearly in tears. “Your mating with Ulrik was three years after Alpha Bentley’s death. Why is this being distorted now? No matter how we explain, they won’t listen.”
Adelaide, adjusting her clothes, smiled and said, “It’s fine. Let them rant for a few more days. Madison has plenty of money; let her spend a little more.”
It was obvious that Madison was the mastermind behind the public outcry. While some were swayed, others were paid to join the chorus.
Let them shout–it wouldn’t be hard to expose the rumors, as they were baseless.
Madison was indeed behind this.
Since she couldn’t have Lycan Erasmus punish Adelaide for disrespect, she resorted to her own methods to teach her a lesson.
If the public praised Adelaide’s filial piety, then let’s see how she fares under public scorn.
An omega entered the mansion’s living room, reporting joyfully, “The news is spreading everywhere. Almost everyone is talking about it, and almost all are cursing her.”
“Almost? Not everyone?” Wanda asked coldly. “Is there anyone defending her?”
The omega replied, “A few are speaking up for her, saying that her mating ceremony was over two years after her father’s death.”
Wanda said, “Who would remember the exact date? It’s probably the Frostfang Pack trying to spreading fake information.”
She turned to Madison and asked, “Mother, is what we’ve spread true?”
Madison replied indifferently, “Who knows? The common folk won’t bother with such details. They’ll curse her, feel satisfied, and not think twice.”
“But if she clarifies, people might believe her. Wouldn’t our efforts be in vain? You’ve spent a fortune on this, haven’t you?”
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Madison acknowledged this, though her expression soured. “I’ve spent a fortune, but if it ruins Adelaide’s reputation and leaves her humiliated, it’s worth every coin.”
While she felt a twisted satisfaction, the expenditure weighed heavily on her.
Over the years, her estate’s funds had flowed out like water. Despite appearances, her finances were depleted.
This always fueled her resentment toward her father for not endowing her with more wealth.
She continued, “Even if she does clarify, who would believe her? The Bloodmoon Pack is in decline, and there’s no one of standing left to vouch for her. Ordinary people’s clarifications are meaningless. Do you think I’ve wasted all this money for nothing?”
Only then did Wanda smile in satisfaction. “Let’s sit back and watch her reputation crumble. Maybe Lance will think twice about choosing her.”
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