Chapter 167

167
Third Person’s POV
Madison shook her head slowly. “No, Lance will definitely go through with the mating ceremony with her. From Lycan Clarissa and Lycan Erasmus’s attitude that day, it’s clear they’re backing this. Lance might not be doing this willingly.”
“But why?”
Wanda was puzzled. “Why would Lycan Erasmus approve of Lance and Adelaide becoming mates?”
Madison was equally confused. “Logically, Lycan Erasmus should oppose this. Lance commands the army, and Adelaide upholds the Frostfang Pack’s fierce reputation. Doesn’t he fear Lance might grow ambitious?”
Wanda’s eyes widened. “Would he dare?”
“Humph!”
Madison sneered coldly. “Who doesn’t aspire to be Lycan King? Lance has no ambitions now, but who knows about the future? Ambition can grow over time.”
“It seems Lycan Erasmus, though wise, overly trusts so–called brotherhood. I need to remind him of this.”
“Mother, does Lycan Erasmus still respect you?” Wanda asked.
Madison’s gaze darkened. “On the surface, yes. But who knows what he truly thinks? I’ll pay him a visit
tomorrow.”
Wanda pouted as she approached. “Take me with you. I need to talk to Priscilla.”
“What about?”
A glint of calculation flashed in Wanda’s eyes. “I’m a bit short on cash and want to ask Priscilla for some money.”
Madison’s pheromones suddenly carried a cloying pine scent, and her neck mark glowed eerily in the candlelight.
She slowly smiled–yes, it was time to tap into this “pagoda tree” again.
Priscilla sat in her palace, her moonstone ring growing warm.
“Madison and Wanda have arrived,” an omega announced.
Priscilla frowned. Whenever Madison and her daughter visited, it was always about money.
A few years back, Wanda had partnered with a Full Moon Priestess to open a cosmetics shop, making a decent profit.
Priscilla, never one to be outdone, decided to open her own store.
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Initially, she planned to partner with relatives, but Wanda approached her first, touting her experience and connections. She persuaded Priscilla to invest thirty million dollars in a gold jewelry store.
Priscilla, already wary of Wanda, hesitated until Madison intervened with veiled insults, implying Priscilla was too fearful and distrustful.
Priscilla, intimidated by Madison’s stern expression, reluctantly handed over the money.
But over the years, the gold store brought no returns, only annual losses and constant requests for more funds.
Priscilla, bitter and resentful, had no choice but to keep investing to avoid appearing cheap or cash- strapped in Madison’s eyes.
Over the years, Wanda had drained tens of millions from her. Yet Priscilla had never seen a hint of profit from the store.
The omega, who had long cared for Priscilla, felt her pain. “They’re here to ask for more money. That gold store isn’t profitable. Why not sell it and cut your losses?”
Priscilla agreed the store was a failure.
But shutting it down would be admitting defeat.
Wanda’s cosmetics shop was thriving, while hers floundered. Priscilla refused to back down–it was a matter of pride.
Despite her misgivings, she invited Madison and Wanda in.
Predictably, they were there for the gold store.
Priscilla couldn’t help complaining, “My gold store is larger than your cosmetics shop. Why is it always in the red? ”
Wanda had her rehearsed response ready–new stores need time to build a reputation. The promotions were to boost fame, and once established, profits would follow.
Priscilla, never expecting massive returns, just wanted to save face.
Then Madison coolly remarked, “Having second thoughts, Priscilla? If you can’t spare the funds, sell your shares to the Full Moon Priestess–she’s been eager to buy them.”
At Madison’s words, Priscilla ordered three million dollars in checks to be prepared.
Madison and Wanda left, satisfied.
Once they were gone, the omega lamented, “This can’t continue! That store’s a black hole. Sell it before it drains you dry.”
Priscilla, glum–faced, insisted, “No reason my store can’t succeed. It’s twice the size of hers, with more gold varieties and higher costs. It’ll turn a profit soon.”
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“It might already be profitable–they could be hiding the earnings from you,” the omega suggested.
Priscilla countered, “How? I have the books–you review them for me.”
“Books can be falsified!” the Omega retorted. “Next time they ask for money, refuse. Consider past investments a loss . ”
Priscilla agreed in theory, but Madison’s silent pressure always unnerved her, coupled with her pride, forcing her to repeatedly fork over cash.
She suddenly wondered, “If it were Adelaide in her shoes, would she cave and pay?”
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