Chapter 290

Chapter 290
Lira's POV

I took a sip of water, carefully choosing my words. "He was a professor at my university."

Shocked exclamations erupted around the table, and Abby's fork clattered onto her plate.

"Professor?" Abby's eyes widened. "So it really was a teacher-student relationship?"

"I took his advanced violin class," I explained, fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of my water glass. "We stayed in touch after graduation. He happened to have some free time recently and agreed to my collaboration request."

"God, that's so unfair," Nana pouted, jealousy flashing in her eyes as her fingers drummed on the table. "Some of us have been trying to work with Hayes for years without any luck. What makes you so special?"

"Exactly," Abby chimed in, her voice laced with malice as she leaned forward. "Don't tell me it's because of your pretty face. Is there something... extra going on between you two?"

If she knew we're not just together but engaged and I'm pregnant, she'd probably pass out from shock. But it's none of her business. I don't owe her any explanation.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't need to report my personal relationships to you."

"Ooh, sensitive topic?" Nana leaned back in her chair, smirking. "Your face is turning red, Lira. Are you two really dating? Or... something more?"

Shut up, would you.

"Maybe you could ask him to attend the charity concert this weekend?" Dean quickly changed the subject, lightly touching my arm. "It would be a huge help for ticket sales."

"I'll ask him," I gratefully accepted the lifeline.

After lunch, we walked out into the sunlit street bustling with people. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. When I turned, my heart nearly stopped.

Linda stood a few steps away, her blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight, wearing that eerily perfect smile of hers.

"You guys go ahead to the car," I told my colleagues, forcing myself to remain calm despite my trembling fingers.

Linda approached me, her high heels clicking sharply against the sidewalk. "Lira! What a coincidence. I was just heading home after shopping. Plans changed, so I came back early."

She's back early. That's not right.

"Did my dad tell you about our conversation?" I asked directly, my eyes fixed on her face, searching for any telling reaction.

Linda's smile remained frozen, but something cold flashed in her eyes. "What conversation?"

I noticed a ruby pendant hanging from her neck, glimmering in the sunlight. It was no ordinary gemstone—its red was too deep, almost like blood, and something seemed to be moving inside it.

"Beautiful pendant," I said, pointing to it. "Gift from my dad?"

Linda's fingers touched the pendant, almost caressing it. "No, from a friend. Do you like it?"

In that moment, I was certain this was the object controlling my father. The challenge in her eyes was too obvious.

"Keep talking trash about me to your father," her voice suddenly turned cold, her smile vanishing, "and we're going to have serious problems."

Anger instantly swept through my entire body, burning like wildfire. She dared to stand here threatening me while planning to kill my father?

"Is that a threat?" I stepped forward, my fists unconsciously clenching. "After everything you've done—"

Linda's smile disappeared as she coldly interrupted, "You think you know anything? Play with fire and you'll get burned."

"So will you," I stared directly into her eyes, my spine straight. "If anything happens to my dad, I promise you'll regret ever entering our lives."

A breeze blew past, lifting Linda's blonde hair, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of gold in her eyes—not like the flicker in my father's eyes. My heart jumped, confirming my suspicion: she was a werewolf!

"Relax," Linda shrugged, a contemptuous smile playing at her lips. "What could happen to your dad? Sweetie, don't forget to visit home more often." Her tone was casual, but sent a chill through me.

"Stay away from my father," I warned finally, my voice shaking as I turned toward the car, my heart pounding.

"Who was that?" Dean asked once I got in the car, looking at me with concern.

"My dad's wife," I answered through gritted teeth, my fingers white-knuckling the seatbelt.

"Guessing you two don't get along?" he raised an eyebrow, seeing my expression.

This time I didn't bother pretending. "It's complicated."

On the way back, my thoughts churned like a storm. Why had Linda returned early? And that ruby pendant... My instincts told me it wasn't ordinary—it was likely the control object! I needed to figure out the truth quickly to protect my father.


Nathan's POV

Finally, the workday was over! These past couple of days had been exhausting—training new werewolves while dealing with the Linda situation. I'd sent Cole to track her whereabouts, but she'd vanished without a trace.

I sighed, packed up my briefcase, and headed out. Just as I was about to close my office door, a hand suddenly grabbed my arm. I flinched instinctively, adrenaline spiking as I spun around in a defensive stance.

"Sophie," I relaxed slightly when I recognized her, my tense nerves easing. "You shouldn't startle people like that."

"Sorry," she whispered, her eyes nervously scanning the empty hallway. "I need to talk to you alone."

"What's so urgent?" I frowned, feeling uneasy.

"How's Lira's father?" she asked anxiously. "Did you warn him about Linda?"

I sighed again, running my hand through my hair in frustration. "We tried, but he wouldn't listen. We've arranged surveillance on Lira's father to ensure his safety. Linda hasn't returned to the farm yet, but we'll know immediately when she shows up."

"That's NOT enough!" Sophie said urgently. "She's a deadly psychopath. She wants to KILL him!" Tears glistened in her eyes. "If she succeeds, Lira will completely fall apart."

"We're doing everything we can," I tried to reassure her, but the fear in her eyes unsettled me.

"But—"

"Come with me," I interrupted, pulling her into the shadows of a hallway corner. After confirming no one was around, I lowered my voice:

"We believe he's under some kind of mind control spell."

Sophie gasped, her eyes widening. "Mind control? Like what Bruce did to the witches?"

"Similar, but not exactly the same. This control is maintained through an object. We believe Linda is using a trap Bruce set long ago. This type of spell is extremely difficult to break."

"Then we have to find and take that object," Sophie said immediately.

"The problem is, we don't know what it is," I explained, feeling frustrated. "And Linda isn't in the country right now. She's supposedly returning this weekend."

Sophie's face turned ashen. "There's not much time left. She'll kill him on Monday. I saw it... so clearly."

"We'll figure something out," I promised her, checking my watch. "I need to get home now. I'll let you know immediately if there's any news."

Sophie nodded, her lips pressed tightly together. "Please, Nathan. I'm really worried... terrified, actually."