Chapter 123

Elena's POV

The next morning, I was brushing my hair when my phone rang. Jason's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, what's up?" I answered, assuming he was calling about our plans.

"Elena, have you seen the forum online?" Jason's voice was tense.

My hand stilled mid-stroke. "What happened?"

"Someone on the forums is suggesting Richard might have a 'split personality,'" he said, clearly choosing his words carefully on the phone.

The hairbrush slipped from my fingers, clattering on the floor. "What? How?" My heart began to race.

"There's a novel," Jason explained carefully. "The character in it... the description is too similar to Richard. The forum is speculating about it."

I froze, opening my tablet and directly navigating to the webpage.

Indeed, there was a thread titled "Fiction or Reality? The Alpha in 'Alpha's Journey to Win Back His Lost Mate'"

My stomach dropped as I recognized the title. This was a novel I had written years ago under a pseudonym, where I had poured all my feelings about Richard and our relationship into the characters.

"Oh my god," I whispered.

The tablet slipped from my grasp, landing with a soft thud on the carpet.

"Elena? Elena, are you there?" Jason's concerned voice jolted me back to reality.

"I-I'm here," I managed to respond, my voice barely audible.

"Hey, calm down," Jason insisted. "It's not as bad as it sounds. The discussion is limited to just a few accounts on the forum. It hasn't spread widely."

I took a shuddering breath. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. The Blackwood security team will shut this down before it goes anywhere," he assured me. "They're probably already handling it."

"Thank god," I whispered. "There's still time to contain it."

"Exactly. But this makes our mission today even more important," Jason emphasized. "We need to find out if Emily is somehow involved in this too."

I dressed quickly, choosing a simple outfit that wouldn't draw attention. As I exited Highland Estate, Felix was already waiting beside a black SUV, his tall frame radiating vigilance.

"Ms. Winter," he greeted me formally, opening the rear door.

"Richard asked me to escort you to Mason's residence and ensure your safety," he explained.

I nodded absently, sliding into the backseat while surreptitiously studying his expression. Did he know about the forum posts? Had Richard already been informed? Felix closed my door and took his place behind the wheel, his face revealing nothing.

During the drive, I remained silent, my mind racing. Felix occasionally glanced at me in the rearview mirror, but he didn't attempt conversation.

When we arrived at Mason's home, he opened the door with evident surprise.

"Elena? What are you doing here?" His eyes darted over my shoulder to where Felix stood stoically by the car. "Where are the kids?"

"They're at home," I replied, forcing a smile. "Can I come in?"

Mason stepped aside, his expression concerned. "Is everything okay? Did you and Richard have a fight?"

I noticed Felix settling in for what looked like a long wait, his posture alert despite his casual pose against the vehicle.

Once inside, I guided Mason deeper into the house, to avoid Felix overhearing us.

"Mason," I whispered urgently once we were in the safe zone, "I need to slip away from Felix for a while."

His eyebrows shot up. "Slip away? Where are you trying to go?"

"I need to meet Jason," I explained quickly.

Mason's expression hardened. "Jason Cooper? Elena, you can't be serious."

"He says there's evidence about who was really behind the incident."

"And you believe him?" Mason's tone was incredulous. "He's a Cooper! How can you trust anyone from that family after what they did?"

I sighed, understanding his suspicion. "Jason is different. He's been helping me."

After my repeated insistence, he reluctantly nodded. "Fine. I'll help you slip out the back way."

With Mason's help, I managed to leave. He promised to distract Felix if necessary, claiming I was resting upstairs with a headache.

Ten minutes later, I met Jason at our predetermined location two blocks away.

During the drive, Jason told me about the Collins family—a mid-tier family in Moonhaven with significant business interests, known for maintaining good relationships with multiple families.

"Their daughter's wedding is the perfect opportunity to gather intelligence," Jason explained. "Everyone lets their guard down at celebrations."

As we neared the Collins estate, Jason suddenly hit the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road.

"Wait," he said, studying me with concern. "You can't go in looking like this. Emily will recognize you immediately, and we'll get nothing accomplished."

I hadn't considered that. "You're right. So what do we do?"

Jason reached into the backseat and pulled out a small bag. "I came prepared. We need to disguise you." He pulled out glasses, a scarf, and some makeup.

"I'll make you look like my household staff," he explained, handing me the items. "It's the safest way to get you in unnoticed."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You want me to pretend to be your servant?"

"Emily is the type of woman who never looks twice at service staff," Jason said, not quite meeting my eyes. "She's jealous of any woman more attractive than her, but she won't pay attention to someone she considers beneath her."

I took the items with a sardonic look. "So what am I supposed to be? Your personal maid?"

Jason cleared his throat awkwardly. "Something like that."

Ten minutes later, my hair was pulled back seriously, glasses perched on my nose, dressed in the plain black outfit Jason had brought, and my treasured silver knife hidden on me in case of emergencies. We arrived at the Collins family estate. The transformation was remarkable—I barely recognized myself in the car's mirror.

Meanwhile, Jason looked more elegant in his tailored suit, his posture and movements exuding the casual confidence of someone born to privilege.

The Collins estate was smaller than Highland Estate but still impressive—a sprawling property with manicured lawns now decorated for the wedding ceremony. Staff bustled about, putting final touches on flower arrangements and seating areas.

Jason approached the security at the entrance, smoothly presenting his invitation. "Jason Cooper," he announced with practiced ease. "And my maid," he added, gesturing toward me without elaboration.

The guard barely glanced at me before nodding us through. I kept my eyes downcast, playing the role of a submissive employee while taking in everything around us.

Most guests were gathered inside the main house, their conversations creating a steady hum of activity. Through the windows, I could see elegantly dressed people mingling, champagne glasses in hand.

"I should go in first and check things out," Jason murmured, adjusting his cufflinks.

I nodded. "I'll wait out here."

"Once I find her, I'll come get you." With that, Jason straightened his tie and strode confidently toward the main entrance, immediately greeted by acquaintances as he disappeared inside.

I lingered near a flower arrangement, trying to stay inconspicuous while observing the guests arriving. As I was thinking, a harried-looking woman in a housekeeper's uniform approached me.

"What are you doing standing around?" she demanded, her voice sharp with stress. "There's so much work to be done!"

Before I could explain that I wasn't part of the staff, she thrust a serving tray into my hands.

"Take this out to the east garden immediately. The guests are arriving and there's not enough hands to go around," she instructed, already turning away. "Honestly, these new hires can't seem to handle even the simplest tasks!"

I stood frozen, the heavy silver tray now in my possession, realizing my disguise had worked a little too well.

As I tried to decide what to do with the tray, a familiar voice caught my attention. I looked up to see Emily emerging from the house onto the terrace, surrounded by a group of elegantly dressed women.

I quickly lowered my gaze to avoid eye contact.

Seizing the opportunity, I picked up the tray and deliberately moved toward their group. As a server, I could get close without arousing suspicion.

"Everyone," announced a woman who appeared to be from the Collins family, "this is my dearest friend, Emily. She's been instrumental in helping with the wedding preparations."

The other women responded with appreciative murmurs and respectful nods. Emily basked in the attention, accepting their admiration with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.