Chapter 126

Richard's POV

I stared at the stack of evidence on my desk, disappointment washing over me. All this investigation, all this time, and what did I get?

"So, let me get this straight," I said, my voice dangerously calm. "The bait I placed behind Emily's back ultimately led me to Elena. That's it? No conspiracy? No plot against Blackwood Group?"

Ethan stood stiffly before my desk, looking uncomfortable. "Yes, Alpha. Emily has confessed everything. She received the materials from an anonymous source."

"Fucking fantastic," I muttered. All this effort just to catch one stupid woman who'd wandered into my trap.

Ethan placed a small flash drive and several books on my desk. "These are all the books from back then."

My eyes immediately locked onto a book titled "Alpha's Journey to Win Back His Lost Mate."

"This book," Ethan said, his voice tight with disgust, "when Victoria published it, you personally connected her with the publishing house."

I froze, memories flooding back. Victoria had been so proud of that book, her first literary success. I'd pulled strings to get it published, believing I was supporting her talent.

"The irony is," Ethan continued, "she didn't feel an ounce of guilt about stealing someone else's work. She paraded around literary circles like some goddamn genius."

Frost crept across my features as the implications sank in. I opened the book, flipping through pages until a passage caught my eye:

That was the first time I saw the Alpha, a ten-year-old boy running through the estate with his mother chasing after him, refusing to study. His face radiated defiance and joy, beautiful as the rising sun.

The memory hit me like a physical blow. I remembered that day. I also remembered how Elena had once complimented me on my looks, while I'd dismissed her as clumsy and awkward.

The writing was exquisite—detailed, vivid, with an undercurrent of gentle melancholy. I continued reading about how the female protagonist had abandoned her economic studies to pursue medicine after discovering the male lead's illness.

My chest tightened. I snapped the book shut, suddenly uncomfortable with continuing.

"What about this anonymous source?" I asked, eager to change the subject.

"Emily claims she doesn't know their identity. After everything was exposed, she tried contacting them, but the communication channel had been cut off."

"Clearly premeditated," I muttered. "Find some tech specialists who can trace this."

Ethan nodded. "Right away, Alpha." He hesitated before adding, "These books... they really were written by Elena, weren't they?"

I didn't answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.

"Unbelievable," Ethan shook his head. "When Elena wakes up, do you think she might sign one for me?"

I fixed him with an arctic stare. "You seem to have a lot of free time on your hands. I wouldn't mind assigning you perimeter patrol for the next three days and nights."

"Not at all! I'm extremely busy!" Ethan backpedaled frantically. "Actually, I should get home for dinner right now."

He fled from my office, leaving me alone.

Max's POV

I watched as Ethan practically sprinted down the hallway, and beside me, Lily giggled at the sight.

"Did Dad scold Ethan again?" she turned to ask Kathy and me.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "He looks a bit stupid, doesn't he? Why would he bother Dad when he's taking care of Mom?"

Kathy nodded and simply said, "Yes."

"We should let Dad and Mommy spend more time together," I declared.

Lily's face lit up as she clapped her hands. "I know what to do!"

I watched as Lily pulled out her communication watch. She pressed a button, and after a moment, Grandma Riley's face appeared on the small screen.

"Grandma!" Lily chirped in that sweet voice she uses when she wants something. "It's me, Lily! Do you miss your precious granddaughter?"

Grandma's face immediately softened with affection. "My little troublemaker! What do you think? Of course I miss you."

"Then send someone to pick us up," Lily said with that mischievous smile I knew so well. "We've decided to stay at Grandma's house tonight."

Grandma's face beamed with joy. "All three of you?"

Lily smiled. "Of course."

"Great, Grandma will send someone to pick you up right away!"

After finishing the call, we high-fived each other, excited about our successful plan.

Elena's POV

In my dreams, I was a girl again, living with my wolf pack. My father was a respected Alpha, and I was being groomed as the pack's future hope. Our territory was prosperous.

"Elena," my mother called one spring morning. "Your cousin has arrived. Your uncle is too busy, so Mandy will be staying with us for a while."

I turned to see a girl slightly older than me, her smile cautious but friendly.

"Remember to get along well with Mandy," my mother instructed.

"I will!" I promised eagerly, thrilled to have a companion my age.

Mandy and I grew close quickly. We shared everything—secrets, dreams, fears. I trusted her completely.

One afternoon, she caught me writing at my desk.

"What are you doing, Elena?" she asked, peering over my shoulder.

"Writing letters," I replied, not looking up. "I want to send him one every day."

"Has he ever written back?" she asked.

I paused, feeling a twinge of disappointment. "No."

Mandy's eyes softened with sympathy. "Let me help you send them. I promise, I'll make sure he replies."

At that time, I still held onto a glimmer of hope, wishing I could really receive a reply.

Unfortunately, after Mandy took my letters, there was still no news. Each time she returned, she would regretfully tell me there was no reply, then encourage me not to give up, to keep writing, assuring me there would eventually be a response.

I realized this hope was shattered. Later, I channeled my feelings into writing stories instead. I poured everything in my heart onto paper, creating worlds where my emotions could live freely.

"Elena, how are you so talented?" Mandy marveled, watching me fill notebook after notebook. "Can I see what you're writing?"

"Sure," I said innocently, handing over my precious manuscripts without hesitation. I was so naive then.

As I approached adulthood, our family's company began to collapse. My father had me temporarily move in with Mason's family. One night, I overheard Mandy speaking with her parents.

"Why should we share the Winter family's debts?" she demanded. "It's not fair!"

"We're family, and they've taken care of you for years," Mason reminded her.

Mandy's laugh was bitter. "Everything Elena had, I never got. Don't pretend I was treated equally."

I stood frozen in the hallway, heart breaking. How could someone lie so easily? How could they forget kindness so completely?

After our business collapsed, rival wolf packs sensed weakness. They challenged us, and we lost. My parents died defending our territory. I became an orphan, taken in by my uncle and aunt—Mandy's parents.

Our positions had reversed. Now I was the one dependent on their charity, and Mandy never let me forget it.

Two tears slid down from the corners of my eyes. I began to sense movement around me.

"Mr. Blackwood?" Anna's worried voice broke through the silence. "Ms. Winter still hasn't woken up. Should we call the pack's healer to examine her again?"

"What time is it?" Richard's voice calmly asked.

"Almost midnight, sir," Anna replied, her voice tinged with anxiety."I'll try to contact Dr. Wells again."

Then came the sound of the door being opened and closed.