Chapter 107 Chapter 107
Violet
Cassie grumbled something about wanting to eat while my mind still wondered about the things I had seen in Alpha Alaric’s office.
“Hey, where are you lost? And you didn’t even bother apologizing for throwing me at those reporters! It was such a headache to get rid of them and sneak back into the boutique” She frowned and I almost had the urge to tell her everything. But I decided against it.
Instead, I asked, “Is Lady Aurelia ill by any chance?”
Cassie looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Not that I know of. Why?”
I hesitated before answering. “I just thought she was shivering.”
“Could be all the hectic planning related to the wedding. Add the aunts to that and more incoming relatives.”
She brushed it off and a second later, her stomach grumbled.
“I am starving! Come let's eat until our stomachs burst” Cassie suggested but I was still lost in thought.
“No, I have wasted enough time. I have to urgently send an email. You go ahead.”
“Fine by me”
She trotted towards the kitchen and even I felt a bit hungry but I could worry about it later. I had to ensure Mirella wouldn’t hate me more so I rushed to my room, letting Cassie go to the kitchen alone to fill her stomach until it burst as per her words.
His words echoed in my mind as I opened my laptop, forcing myself to focus on something concrete. Work. I could lose myself in work.
The jewelry designs I'd been working on were still open in multiple tabs. I'd promised Mirella I'd have them submitted by tonight, and despite everything happening at Ironcrest Manor, I wasn't about to let her down.
I reviewed each design one final time: the pendant with the interlocking chains, the cuff bracelet with the geometric patterns, the statement earrings.
My hands moved mechanically, adjusting a line here, refining a curve there, but my mind kept drifting back to Elijah's touch, the weird symbols in Alpha Alaric’s office, the way Lady Aurelia’s hands were shaky, the letter Nate showed me…
Focus, Violet.
I attached all the files to an email, typed out a brief message to Mirella, and hit send. And this time I saved copies everywhere- in my personal mailbox, in my phone, I even sent it to mom’s mail id just for the sake of it.
And that is when I clicked on one of my old mailboxes accidentally and was pleasantly surprised to see a ton of files I’d saved as backup when I was still working with Nate.
I had simply forgotten about them because we chose to focus on only project acquisitions and focussed on it so the rest never saw the light of the day. I had researched and created roadmaps for almost all the top five industries in our bucket list, broken down costs, and done extensive market analysis. I’d basically created not a single plan B but several of them if our pack ever needed support.
The swoosh of the outgoing email felt oddly final, like I was closing one chapter before the next disaster inevitably struck.
Then I waited.
And waited.
An hour passed with no response. I alternated between checking the old files and refreshing my inbox compulsively, checking my spam folder, my sent items, making sure the email had actually gone through.
Everything looked fine on my end, but the silence from Mirella was unusual. Or maybe my mind was playing tricks with me
Had I done something wrong? Were the designs not what she wanted anymore? Or worse, had she replaced me already?
My anxiety spiked, and before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my phone and scrolled to Dane Stratford's number.
He or rather his father, William, was the one who'd given me this opportunity in the first place, plucking me from my spreadsheet-filled existence and offering me a chance to actually create something.
The phone rang three times before his smooth voice answered. "Violet. This is a pleasant surprise."
"Hi, Dane. I'm sorry to bother you so late."
"It's barely nine. You're not bothering me." I could hear the smile in his voice. "What's wrong?"
"I sent my designs to Mirella over an hour ago, but I haven't heard back. I just wanted to make sure everything went through okay, or if there's something I need to revise."
"Mirella's out sick tonight," Dane said easily. "Caught some bug going around. She probably hasn't checked her email."
Relief flooded through me. "Oh. I didn't know."
"No reason you would. But like I said before, the designs are excellent. You've got a good eye, Violet." He paused. "Though I have to admit, I'm surprised you're still managing to work given your current... living situation."
My stomach tightened. "What do you mean?"
"Come on. You're staying at Ironcrest Manor. With the Devereaux family." His tone shifted, becoming more serious. "I was there when Alpha Alaric gave a call to my father out of nowhere. I listened to him 'suggest' that it would be in our best interest to accommodate your extended absence. Very polite threats, very thinly veiled."
I closed my eyes, remembering that conversation.
Mr William had agreed immediately. No one said no to Alaric Devereaux.
"I was there too," I said quietly. "I'm sorry you and your father got dragged into this."
"Not your fault." Dane's voice softened slightly. "But I have been meaning to ask, how do you know the Devereaux family? That's not exactly a casual connection."
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "It's complicated. My family has some...ties to theirs. Political obligations."
"Right." He didn't sound convinced. "Look, Violet, I know we haven’t interacted much and that we only know each other in professional capacity, but I’d like to suggest something. If you would allow me.”
“Of course, go ahead, Dane.”
Dane didn’t waste a minute and immediately replied, “I don't know what you're caught up in, but that family is messy. Dangerously messy. Whatever they want from you, whatever they're using you for, please be careful. And get out as soon as you can. I am saying this, not as a boss but as a friend."
The concern in his voice was unexpected. It was nice of him to be concerned about me and think of me as a friend.
"I will. I promise I'll be back to work soon."
"I'm holding you to that. We've got the Lunar Gala coming up in two months, and I want your pieces in the showcase." He paused. “Which is why I didn’t worry about you not being here because the wedding is in a month they say?”
“Yes, and I can’t wait for it to be over.”
"Speaking of which, you'll be happy to know we just signed a major partnership for that event. Really going to elevate the whole production."
"That's great," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic despite my exhaustion.
"Yeah, I'm pretty excited about it. Got connected with this sharp young alpha who pitched some incredible projections for the event. Nate Cross, we met him in my office if I remember correctly?"
My blood ran cold. "Nate?"