Chapter 109

Elena's POV

"We're late," I said quietly as Jason parked his sports car outside the hotel, glancing at my watch. We were half an hour late.

"Relax," Jason said, turning off the engine. "A dramatic entrance is always better than arriving on time."

I fidgeted nervously with the hem of my dress, already regretting my decision to come. "Maybe I should just wait in the car."

"Do you want to wear this?" Jason hesitated, suddenly producing something.

"What is it?" I glanced at the object in his hand. "A mask?"

"Yes, it's common for women to wear masks at these occasions," Jason explained, eager for me not to be suspicious.

But I immediately understood. Did I really need to be this pathetic? Coming to such a place and having to hide my face, unable to show my true self.

I pulled at the corner of my mouth, revealing a bitter smile. "No need. Gerald invited me earlier, and I said I’d think about it but didn’t agree right away. Once we go in, let’s go greet him directly."

After saying this softly, I picked up my dress and walked in first.

When we entered together, perhaps because of my striking appearance and noble demeanor, many people immediately turned to look at me.

Dozens of eyes turned toward us. I felt their gazes assessing me, trying to determine my identity.

"Who is that? She's beautiful."

"Don't know, maybe some wealthy young lady?"

People's attention was drawn to me, and seeing how outstanding I looked, they immediately assumed I was some rich heiress attending the banquet.

Instantly, many socialites attending the banquet became displeased. They stared at me, their eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.

Due to the Blackwood family's influence, almost all prominent figures in the city had come to attend this banquet. Most came hoping to form marital alliances with powerful families. My appearance was nothing short of a competitor to these socialites.

Jason deliberately placed his hand on the small of my back, leaning close to my ear. "Little bear, why are you walking so fast? Wait for me," he said loudly enough for nearby people to hear.

The mayor's daughter, who had been waiting near the entrance, immediately stormed over to her father, eyes flashing with anger. I could see it was already having an effect.

They walked toward Kelly, as if expressing their dissatisfaction, after which she looked in my direction.

Before I could retreat, Kelly was already approaching me.

"I don't believe we've met," her tone was polite but cautious. "Who are you?"

I took a deep breath. "It's me, Elena."

Her expression immediately changed from curiosity to anger. Her eyes first widened, then narrowed dangerously. "You? How did you get in? Who invited you?"

The room fell silent again, all eyes focused on our confrontation.

"Gerald invited me," I said softly.

Kelly's mouth fell open in shock. People around us began to whisper, the news quickly spreading throughout the hall.

Her gaze hardened, as if remembering something.

"Mom, don't be so angry. Elena has no connection to the Blackwood family now. She's my friend, I brought her here."

She barely contained her anger. "Fine, if that's the case, Jason, take good care of your guest."

Jason immediately agreed, looking elated.

Afterward, he led me away from the hall, heading toward the banquet hall on the second floor.

I felt the process was a bit too smooth, considering Kelly's typically confrontational personality, she had now suppressed her temper. This confused me. "Your mom seems to have improved her temper a bit."

"Really? Maybe it's because she's getting older," Jason said without a hint of suspicion.

We continued chatting casually, and soon arrived at the banquet hall that had been decorated with lights and ornaments.

"Let's go in, all the relatives are inside," Jason pushed open the doors to the banquet hall.

That's when I saw them.

Victoria stood beside Gerald, elegantly handing him an amber-colored liquid. "This is tea I brought back from my travels abroad," she was saying. "I remember you enjoy drinking tea."

Gerald's face lit up with appreciation. "Thank you, Victoria," he patted her hand affectionately. "Why don't you share it with the other pack members as well?"

The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet. The friendly exchange between them, that casual intimacy—it was obvious Victoria had gained the family's approval. Had Gerald already accepted her as Richard's mate? Is this why I was summoned here? To witness myself being replaced?

I backed away, suddenly unable to breathe. The gorgeous dress felt like a straitjacket.

"Little bear? Are you alright?" Jason asked with concern.

I could barely sense his presence. My ears were ringing, an immense disappointment and sadness spreading through my heart. I felt only an ice-cold suffocation and pain sharp as a knife.

Why? Had Gerald abandoned me too? Because I was no longer his daughter-in-law, did he no longer consider me family?

But he had promised that since my parents were gone, he would treat me like a daughter.

My heart felt pierced.

Tears streamed down my face as I ran to the bathroom, hoping to regain my composure.

Jason's voice came from behind, but I couldn't hear anything anymore.

Richard's POV

I was reviewing acquisition documents in my office when the phone rang. Seeing Kathy's name on the screen, I immediately answered.

"Daddy?" Her small voice sounded worried. "Mommy's been gone for a long time."

I frowned, looking at the clock. "Where did Mommy go, sweetheart?"

"She said she was going to buy things for us, but she's been gone for several hours," Kathy explained.

I heard rustling, then Max's voice came through. "Dad, there's a problem. Mom didn't go shopping."

"How do you know?" I asked, already reaching for my car keys.

Max said, "I tracked her phone."

I paused. "You what?"

"I installed a tracker on her phone," he explained casually, as if hacking phones was normal for him. "She's at The Blackwood Hotel right now."

My blood ran cold. Kelly's birthday party. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely certain. I also found messages she sent. She was discussing dresses and banquets with someone."

"Show me," I demanded.

"I'm sending screenshots to your phone now," Max said. Moments later, my phone pinged with an incoming message.

"These aren't her conversations with Morgan. Morgan is still in Wolf Creek. If she came to Moonhaven, she would definitely visit us," Max continued.

"Stay at home and behave. I'm going to find your mother."

I hung up, finally understanding her strange behavior from the past few days.

"What is she thinking?" I cursed under my breath, catching the golden flash in my eyes in the reflection of my computer screen.

The temperature in the office seemed to plummet as I grabbed my car keys. A low growl vibrated in my chest.

The door opened and Ethan walked in with a stack of documents. "Sir, I have—"

"Not now," I snapped, brushing past him.

"But the board meeting—"

"Cancel it." I didn't look back once.