Chapter 170 The Woman the Wolf Could Not Cage

Chapter 170 The Woman the Wolf Could Not Cage


Dolphus drew her even closer. He wanted her so badly that only complete ownership could calm the storm in his blood.

“It hurts.” Elena whispered.

The words cut through him.

The wild strength holding her snapped loose.

“Is it because of Drake, that you cannot trust me?” Elena asked.

Dolphus's arms tightened again without him meaning to.

This was a name Elena never wanted to say aloud.

Dolphus's wolf always bristled when he heard it. Jealousy rose fast and sharp at the sound alone.

“You are stronger than anyone I know. Before you confessed to me like that, I never even dared to dream about you.” Elena said as she strokes her fingers at the back of his hair.

Her honesty was bare and trembling.

Elena had always been timid. Her past with Drake had drained her completely. That bond had taken everything from her, then shattered her heart without mercy.

Dolphus held her close, silent. He thought she had misunderstood him. His hunger was not about doubt. It was darker. Dirtier. He had already confessed the truth to her. His desire was sinful and wild. Even now, he did not only want to hold her. He wanted to trap her wrists, push her down, let his wolf claim her without mercy. That craving rose again and again, wrecking his control, poisoning his calm.

“Since I chose you,” Elena said, “no matter what happens, I will stay beside you. I will manage my grandfather's company properly, just like you did while I was gone. I will not block your plans, but I will be strong enough to reach you when you need me.”

Deep inside, she wanted him all to herself. She wanted his presence every moment, his kiss, his closeness. Yet she would never cage him with affection or chain his dreams to her side.

But all Dolphus could think about was her mouth. To consume her until nothing else existed.

“I need to take this call,” Elena said, pushing lightly against his shoulder. “I have to meet Farrell. I need to secure that project. I should get ready.”

She wanted to prove herself quickly. She needed to stand firm in the company before Dolphus stepped away. She wanted both her grandfather and Jack to feel at ease.

“Where will you go after?” Elena asked.

“Back to Pasadena,” Dolphus replied.

Then their phones rang at once.

Dolphus cupped the back of her head and kissed her again. The kiss was controlled yet burning. Only then did he pull away, his fingers brushing her heated ears. “Answer your phone.”

He walked toward the dining table, picked up his phone, and moved to the tall windows. Elena retrieved her phone and answered.

“Miss Elena,” Florence said politely, “Edward Hayden from RushGreen Group seems to be anxious. He wants to meet us at four. Where should I arrange it?”

Elena touched her swollen lips and replied softly, “Milton Restaurant. Four fifteen.”

She chose a place close by.

When Dolphus returned, Elena had finished her drink. Her bag was packed. She was ready to leave.

“Where is the meeting?” Dolphus asked.

“it's Milton restaurant,” she answered, slipping her documents into her bag. “After that, I will be going back to my house.”

“Make sure you eat.” Dolphus said.

“Okay,” Elena nodded. She already guessed he would see Sebastian. “Come back early.”

Outside the apartment, Melvin stepped forward and took her handbag. “Miss Elena.”

On the way to the teahouse, Elena scrolled through her phone, then looked up at Melvin's back. “I heard from Sebastian that you used to work for him.”

“Yes,” Melvin replied calmly. “Mr. Dolphus trained us himself. He trained those assigned to protect the Farringtons.”

Elena nodded.

“Mr. Dolphus is a good man,” Melvin continued. “His words are sharp, and people call him strange, but his heart is solid. You do not need to fear him.”

Melvin had been Sebastian's strongest.

Milton Restaurant stood quiet and refined. Vallora arrived first and took the inner seat. When Elena stepped inside, Vallora pushed a folder across the table with two fingers.

Elena opened it and scanned the first page. Her eyes stopped at the numbers. Thirty percent. She did not bother turning another page. A short laugh escaped her lips.

“Fifty percent,” Amelia said plainly. “You offer thirty percent. That is not bargaining. There is no need to waste time.”

She rose from her chair at once. The tea remained untouched.

“At most, thirty five percent,” Vallora said sharply. “That land is priceless. I can add private benefits. Quiet ones.”

Elena turned back. “Farrington Corporation is my grandfather’s life. I will not bleed it for gain. If that was my goal, I would have taken the land for myself, not the company. You still have a chance. Change the plan. Remove Plot Two.”

Her hand rested on the door. “I am short on time today. The tea smells good. Thank you.”

She left without waiting.

The door shut. Vallora's smile shattered. Her cup struck the table with a sharp sound. Elena was harder than expected.

Inside her car, Elena wasted no time. She called Florence. “Draft a cooperation deal. Farrington Corporation holds fourth percent.”

She ended the call. Elena already knew the line Vallora would not cross. Forty percent was the edge.

If Raven handled the bridge between both sides, the deal would move.

Her phone rang before the engine cooled.

“Miss Elena,” Vallora said. “Thirty seven percent. Final.”

“Fourty,” Elena replied at once. “Under one condition.”

Silence filled the line.

“What condition?”

“I choose the liaison from your group.” Elena stated.

Vallora exhaled slowly. Relief slipped into her voice. “Agreed.”

The call ended.

At Farrington Corporation, Elena entered and she spoke to Florence without pause. “Prepare the contract. Legal review. Send it out fast.”

The news of the forty percent share to Farrington Corporation has spread through at night . RushGreen Group had been bitten hard. The project was their crown. No one expected Elena to take such a share with one strike.

The legal team crowded Florence. “How did she do this so fast?”

Florence smiled while walking. “They met many times. Today it ended over tea. Hurry.”

“We will not delay.”

In the elevator, Farrell stood beside Ariah. The doors slid shut. Farrell leaned close and whispered, “She is sharper than we thought.”

Ariah laughed softly, pulling out her keys. “Yet you still favor Mr Dolphus.”

Farrell nodded. “He carried the company through storms. As for her, women return home eventually.

Ariah stopped. She turned slowly, one hand gripping the rail. Her eyes burned. “That thinking will cost you. Two projects in less than a week. Durok Biotech aside, she tore forty percent from the RushGreen Group. Underestimate her again and you will regret it.”

Farrell paused. He laughed awkwardly. “I meant no offense. Miss Elena is different.”

Ariah smiled coldly. “She is not different. Society just blinds itself. When women rise, they leave prideful men behind.”

The elevator stopped.

Ariah waved her keys. “See you tomorrow.”

Outside, Farrell nearly collided with Elena and Melvin stepping from Dolphus's private elevator. Florence spoke urgently beside her.

“But Elegant Magazine never interviews like this. If we accept…”

Elena did not slow. “In what role. Founder or executive vice president.”

Farrell greeted her quickly. Elena nodded once and passed.

He watched her go. Turning down Elegant Magazine. Was it pride or wisdom?

At the car, Elena stopped. She looked at Florence.

“Tell Mr Arrington to see me after the meeting tomorrow. Move his schedule. If he refuses, replace him.”

“Got it,” Florence replied at once.

As Elena’s car rolled out of the underground garage of the company, Florence called Mr Arrington.

Inside the car, Melvin glanced at Elena through the mirror.

“Miss Elena,” he said carefully, “would you like something sweet? My girlfriend always says sugar helps when the mood is heavy.”

Elena did not look up. Her eyes stayed on the emails glowing on her phone. “You can tell I am angry.”

Melvin smiled slightly. “ You remind me of Mr Dolphus. Calm even when the ground shakes.”

Elena lifted her head and looked at him. His words struck deeper than she expected. For a moment, she was silent.

She was becoming like Dolphus.

Light flashed on her phone.

A message from Dolphus.

Sorry Amelia. I will not be coming over tonight.

Alright. Eat dinner and rest well. See you tomorrow.

As the car slowed, a massive screen on the Broadcasting and Television Building came into view. News footage filled the night sky. The Hamilton Corporation bankruptcy played out again and again. Cameras showed Drake, being guided by his lawyer into a car. The next scene showed sealed doors and warning tape across the company building.

Elena’s eyes brushed over the screen without pause.

Melvin frowned. “That Mr Drake. He was the one who misunderstood us last time.”

“Yes,” Elena replied calmly.

Her phone rang again.

“Boss,” Samson Mitchell said with a laugh, “Hamilton Corporation is finished. They want us to strike while they are weak.”

“No,” Elena said. Her voice held no emotion. “Do not waste effort on small prey. Focus on the new lab. Once it is ready, Miss Priscilla can return sooner.”

“I know.” Samson said happily. “ I will guard this project closely.”

The car slowed at a red light. Melvin pressed the brake.

Without warning, a loud crash shook the vehicle. Elena lurched forward.

“Miss Elena, stay inside,” Melvin said firmly.

He unlocked his belt, locked the doors, and stepped out.

Behind them stood a red sports car. The window lowered. A woman inside wore a mask and dark glasses. She removed them as Melvin approached.

“I am sorry for using this way,” Cassandra said. “I will pay for repairs. Please tell Miss Elena it is me. I need to speak with her.”

She had tried calling. She was blocked. Waiting outside Farrington Corporation was useless. This was the only way she saw.

Melvin returned and passed on the message.

Elena checked the time in the mirror. She nodded once. “There is a canteen ahead.”

Inside the private room, Cassandra sat across from Elena, eyes swollen and red. Elena lifted her cup calmly.

“I lost,” Cassandra said. Her voice cracked. “I never had a chance. Drake liked me because I copied you.”

Tears fell.

“If that is all,” Elena said coolly, setting her cup down, “crashing into my car was unnecessary.”

Cassandra wiped her face. She drew a breath. “Please see Drake. He drinks and burns with fever now. I do not know what to do.”

Elena leaned back, fingers resting on her phone. “Your devotion is touching. Allowing his ex wife to visit him. But please, I am not kind enough for that. I do not waste time on someone who wounded me. Thirteen minutes here is already too much.”

She moved to stand.

“Elena,” Cassandra cried, grabbing her hand. “Do you hate me? For copying you. For taking his love. For taking credit of saving Damian.”

Elena gently freed her hand. She smiled softly. “If he could be taken, he was never mine. There are many paths in the world. He is only an old shadow.”

She stood fully. “Damian thanked you because he never asked. If he had, I would have spoken.”

Cassandra couldn't move.

“My assistant will contact you about the accident,” Elena said. “Take care.”

She walked away.

Cassandra stayed seated, clutching the cup as tears fell. Since Zaira's arrest, everything had slipped from her hands.

When Elena reached home, she gave one final order. All projects tied to Cassandra needs to be released quickly. Cooperation would end, slowly and cleanly.

From what Elena saw today, Cassandra was already falling.

And the wolf did not look back.