Chapter 116 No Entry Without Reservation
Chapter 116 No Entry Without Reservation
Stephanie's POV
I hesitated for a heartbeat before answering. "Sorry, I already have plans tonight."
Richard arched a brow, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Oh? Then another time."
"Sure."
Once Richard and his team were gone, the quiet of my office felt heavier. Anna was already waiting, a garment bag draped across her arms like it was something precious.
She unzipped it, revealing a deep wine-red evening gown. The fabric caught the light, rich and fluid, like it had been spun from silk and shadows.
"This is..." I trailed off, fingertips brushing the smooth surface.
"Mr. Frederick Wolf asked me to prepare it," Anna said.
I lifted the gown, letting it spill over my hands. The stitching was immaculate, the design elegant without being ostentatious. But why an evening gown? My pulse tightened. A bad feeling curled in my stomach, sharp and insistent.
"Where's the dinner?" I asked.
"The Azure Tide," she replied.
The Azure Tide. My breath stalled. That was the most exclusive restaurant in the Pack headquarters, the kind of place you couldn't step into without a reservation booked weeks in advance. Deals that could shift territories were whispered over its tables.
"Got it." I inhaled slowly, willing my nerves to settle.
I changed into the gown, the fabric molding to me like it had been tailored for my body alone. The cut traced my silhouette with precision, the wine-red shade making my skin look pale and luminous. Elegant, with just enough edge to hint at danger.
I picked up my clutch and walked out. Jack was waiting at the curb, posture straight, the black sedan idling behind him.
"Miss Valerius, please," he said, opening the door.
I slid inside. The car moved through the city, lights flickering across the windows, each passing block tightening the rhythm of my heartbeat. Who did Frederick want me to meet? The thought that it might be a matchmaking setup made my chest tighten.
The sedan rolled to a stop in front of The Azure Tide. I stepped out, the chill in the air brushing against my bare shoulders. One deep breath. Then I walked inside.
"Welcome. Do you have a reservation?" The hostess greeted me with polished courtesy.
"Yes," I said.
Her eyes brightened instantly. "Miss Valerius?"
I nodded.
"Please follow me."
She led me through the grand hall. Crystal chandeliers spilled light like molten gold. The marble floor gleamed beneath my heels. Oil paintings framed in gilt lined the walls, each one a silent testament to wealth and taste. Every detail whispered understated power.
We reached the second floor. The hostess stopped before a carved wooden door. "Here we are."
I nodded and pushed it open.
Inside, five or six people sat around a table — all faces I recognized from the night before. Ivan, William, Anthony, Frederick, Amanda, and Isabelle.
"Stephanie's here!" Ivan stood, smiling warmly.
"Mr. Turner," I greeted.
"None of that," Ivan chuckled. "We're all friends here."
His gaze swept over me. "That gown suits you perfectly. Amanda has good instincts."
Amanda's smile was soft but proud. "My granddaughter could make anything look good."
Laughter rippled through the room.
"Come, sit," Frederick said, gesturing to the chair beside him.
I settled in, eyes scanning the table. No unfamiliar young men. Relief loosened the knot in my chest. Not a blind date. Thank the Moon.
"Stephanie," William began, "I heard you made quite an impression at the headquarters meeting today."
I blinked. "How did you hear about that?"
"I have people in your Pack," William said with a grin. "They all say you were professional, decisive."
"Thank you."
"No thanks necessary," he replied. "That's your own merit."
Anthony leaned forward. "The two I sent to observe also spoke highly of you. The HR director especially — said you have a sharp instinct for talent."
Heat crept into my cheeks. "You're too kind."
Ivan shook his head. "Not kindness. Truth. You're capable. Not like some who ride their family name without earning it."
The table chuckled. I smiled too, though inside I knew better. Compliments from elders in our world were rarely just praise.
This was a test. They were measuring me — weighing whether I had the strength to take over Valerius Pack, whether I was worth their investment.
"Stephanie," Frederick said suddenly, his tone deliberate. "Do you know why I wanted you to meet these people?"
I shook my head.
"Because in the Pack headquarters, ability alone isn't enough," he said. "You need connections. Resources. Allies."
He gestured toward the others. "These are the people who can stand beside you in the arena. But first, you have to earn their trust."
I nodded. "I understand."
Frederick's smile was satisfied. "Good."
The waitstaff began serving. Plates appeared like works of art — foie gras, Boston lobster, Wagyu steak. The scents mingled, rich and intoxicating.
"Try this," Amanda said, placing a morsel on my plate. "It's the Azure Tide's signature."
I tasted it. The flavor was decadent, melting across my tongue. "Delicious."
Amanda's eyes crinkled. "Then have more."
Halfway through the meal, Ivan's voice cut in. "Stephanie, how are things with Karon?"
I nearly choked. Not this again.
"We're just friends," I said.
"Friends?" William raised a brow. "I doubt that."
"Karon's never shown interest in any woman," Ivan said. "But with you… it's different."
Anthony chuckled. "My daughter says Karon looks at you like he wants to keep you all to himself."
My face burned. "Not really…"
"You know the truth," Frederick teased.
Ivan's tone shifted, more serious. "Karon's a good man. Thorn Pack keeps a low profile, but their strength runs deep. And Karon himself — he's capable, ambitious."
He glanced at me. "If you two were together, it would be a powerful alliance for Valerius Pack."
I lowered my gaze to my plate, slicing the steak with careful precision, though my mind was a storm.
"Enough," Amanda said lightly. "Let the young handle their own affairs. We old wolves shouldn't meddle."
Still, I couldn't shake the thought. Were they… trying to match me with Karon?