Chapter 173 A Favor That Bound the Pack
Damian let out a low rough laugh. He finally understood the move Elena had made. Compared to the danger Cassandra caused by lying about being his helper to the Thompson Group.
Elena was not only sharp-minded but also fierce. Damian slowly shut the file in his hands. His eyes lifted to her, filled with open respect.
“No wonder Durok Biotech Company rose so fast,” he said. “Your mind is strong, and your instincts are sharper than most. Still, this issue must be discussed within my pack.”
He did not return the papers. Instead, he set them beside him, claiming them without words. Elena caught the sign at once. Victory had already brushed her fingers.
Damian lifted his glass.
Samson leaned back and said, “Miss Elena speaks, and you accept it without proof. When Cassandra made the same claim, you never dug deep. That mistake cost you.”
Damian did not bristle. Instead, his gaze warmed as he looked at Elena. “I trust her. She would not stain her name with lies. Failing to look deeper before was my fault.”
Elena touched her glass to his with a light tap. “I take your thanks. But do not carry it like a burden. I would have saved anyone that day. It was nothing more than instinct.”
When they stepped outside, Melvin moved quickly, as ordered. He took Elena’s bag and placed her coat over her shoulders, blocking Damian from drawing near. Damian watched but said nothing.
“Allow me to take you home,” he offered.
Elena smiled and turned her gaze toward the road. Dolphus had already stepped out of the car. “No need. My ride is here.”
Damian and Samson moved forward. Polite words were exchanged. After Elena slid into the car and the door closed, Damian turned toward Samson, curiosity sharp in his eyes.
“About Dolphus and Elena,” he began.
Samson waved it off quickly. “Do not confuse yourself. Mr. Dolphus is Elena’s uncle. ” His eyes flicked toward the documents Damian still held. “She plays fair. Every deal she makes feeds both sides. Think carefully. A bond between Thompson Group and the Farrington Corporation could open the best market.”
Damian nodded slowly. “That thought crossed my mind as well. I will weigh it carefully.”
Samson smiled. “Then I will leave you to it.”
Meanwhile, Dolphus had Melvin take Elena’s car while he drove her himself. Elena lifted her phone and called Melvin.
“Did you capture everything?”
“Yes, Miss Elena. Every detail is recorded.”
“Good. Send the images to Florence.”
She ended the call and dialed again. “Florence, review the footage. Let the other branches hear about my meeting with Damian and the possible cooperation. Mr. Clifford's talks need pressure.”
Dolphus waited until she finished before speaking. “Does it mean that Clifford hasn't accepted it?”
“Yes. Politics,” Elena said as she removed her earrings, setting them aside. “They fear offending allies. But if word spreads before or during the Zentex Group visit, even a luxury brand like Thompson can act as a signal.”
“So Damian is already trapped.”
“It will close soon,” Elena replied. “The Thompsons' internal fight is ugly. Damian chose the global face himself. Admitting that for him to trust the wrong savior would stain the brand and his authority.”
“Are you ready for tomorrow’s meeting?” Dolphus asked, lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to her skin.
“I am,” she answered. “I met the key elders already. Director Dante called today. He means well, but his son lacks strength.”
Later that night, as Dolphus and Elena entered Elena's apartment, “What troubles you?” she asked, leaning back into him.
“I have set a date with Sebastian,” he said quietly. “The third of next month.”
“I will wait,” Elena said with a soft laugh. “The next few years will consume me. I know that I wouldn't even have time for any form of frivolities. Do not worry about the children or me.”
She stroked his arm. “Do you believe I can make the company stronger by the time you return?”
“I trust you,” Dolphus said. The signs had already surfaced.
Elena lifted her face to his. “My heart is not large,” she said gently. “Inside it is you, my mother, my grandfather, and our two children. After them, there is only space left for work. Nothing more.” Even if blood debt drives you forward, keep yourself alive. Lexa dreams of staying beside her father every day. And Aaron may be quiet, but his love for you runs deep.”
“The housekeeper prepared dinner,” she said quickly. “I still need to finish some reports.”
“That can wait,” Dolphus cut in.
The bedroom door shut with force behind it, sealing the space.
At exactly eight thirty in the evening, Dolphus stepped out of the bedroom. Leaning against the railing, he struck a lighter and drew on a cigarette.
The idea of another man looking at Elena while he is away stirred something dark and violent inside his blood. The thought of not having her attention burned worse.
A sharp chime broke the silence.
The doorbell rang again.
Dolphus crushed the cigarette and straightened. He walked to the entrance and glanced at the security screen. Outside stood Morris Sheffield and Drake. He knew that Morris lived within that area, but Drake had no reason to appear here.
After a brief pause, Dolphus opened the door. His relaxed home attire clearly startled both men.
“I met Drake downstairs,” Morris said quickly. “He said he needed to speak with Elena but could not reach her. I brought him along. We climbed all the way to this floor.” “Are you living here now?”
Dolphus ignored the question. His eyes flicked toward the stairwell. “It is close to nine. Do you think it is proper for two men to appear at a woman’s home this late?”
“Sorry, Dolphus,” Drake said at once. Years had passed, yet he still shrank under Dolphus's presence. “It's about the children. I could not contact Elena. I planned to return in the morning, but I ran into Morris.”
Morris smiled faintly. He had his own aim. Any chance to step closer to Elena held value.
“Elena is asleep,” Dolphus said coldly. “Speak to me.”
Morris raised his hands. “Then I will leave.” He turned and pressed the elevator button, retreating without protest.
Dolphus blocked the doorway, stopping Drake from entering.
“Morrin Farrington contacted me,” Drake said, his voice heavy. “She believes I am the real father of Elena’s children. She plans to lure them away from the Farrington estate and give them to me. Her goal is to force Durok Biotech Company to spare my company. I feared she might harm them, so I agreed on the call.”
He pulled out his phone. “I recorded everything. I will send it now.”
After sending the file, Drake glanced past Dolphus, searching the room. There was no sign of Elena.
“She blocked me,” he added quietly. “I have not answered Morrin fully. If Elena wishes, I will help. Even if it means testifying before the police.”
Dolphus gave a small nod. “I will tell her.”
Drake's shoulders slumped. Disappointment filled his eyes. Even a cold stare from Elena would have eased the ache inside him.
“I will go now,” he murmured.
“Drake,” Dolphus said. “Do you regret it?”
Drake's eyes shone with unshed tears. “I regret everything. I do not even know how to fix it.”
“Then stop searching for her,” Dolphus said firmly. “She has moved on. Her heart belongs only to the father of her children. You drove her away. Do not pull at her life again.”
Before Drake could ask who that father was, the door closed.
Inside, Dolphus watched the screen as Drake lowered his hand from the bell and walked away.
“I heard the bell,” Elena’s voice called.
Dolphus turned. She stepped out, tying the belt of her robe. He shut off the screen and moved to her side.
“Morris Sheffield's heir brought Drake,” he said.
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
Dolphus guided her to the table and played the recording. While it played, he retrieved the warm dishes from the oven.
When Morrin's threat filled the room, Elena’s expression darkened.
She sent the file to herself, then forwarded it to Nicholas. As she typed a message asking for a call in the morning, the phone rang.
She answered and walked into the bedroom. “Even though Mr. Raphael banned Morrin from the estate, she could still bribe staff,” Elena said calmly. “There are many servants. We must stay alert.”
“Miss Elena… about Morrin, do not burden yourself,” Nicholas said through the phone, “The chairman has already placed guards in motion. You have carried enough weight dealing with the company. If you place your trust in me, I will settle this matter cleanly.”
Elena held the phone tighter, her fingers pressing hard against the case. “Then I leave the safety of the two children, my grandfather, and my mother in your care.”
She ended the call and stepped out of the bedroom.
“Come and eat,” Dolphus said, sliding a bowl toward her. “Do not worry about the children. Mr Raphael has never lowered his guard against Gabriel and Morrin. Now that Gabriel is locked away, the eyes that once followed him are fixed on her. She cannot move freely. I will also place my own people on her trail.”
After the poisoning incident, the old Gamma had tightened control over every servant. No one entered or left unseen.
“ Nicholas said if I trust him, I should stay out of it,” Elena said softly. “I believe him, yet my heart will not rest.”
A mother never slept well when danger hovered near her cubs.
Dolphus reached out. His hand stroked her hair. He leaned down and kissed her. “I will guard our children,” he said against her lips. “Trust me.”
Elena lifted her eyes. And it met his eyes. She nodded once. “Mmm.”
“Eat,” Dolphus said, pulling back.
Far below, Drake stepped out of the building. He paused and looked up at the bright lights of the top floor. He could not imagine who had marked Elena and left twin lives within her all those years ago. His thoughts had wandered to Richard, but Richard already had a mate and plans for marriage.
No matter how he turned it, Drake no longer had the right to stand before Elena.
Drake did not recall how he left the estate. When awareness returned, harsh light filled his vision. He lay face down on a hospital bed. Pain screamed through his back. Ezra stood nearby, his face tight with anger and worry.
“Have you lost your senses,” Ezra snapped. “Your wound is infected. You are bleeding inside. You still ran out. If I had not called for help, you would have died on the road.”
The scars across Drake's back came from his mother. The empire handed to him had collapsed under his watch. The big rod that her mother hit at his back was small compared to the ruin he caused.
“I should have died,” Drake whispered, burying his face into the pillow.
“I heard the news,” Ezra said after a pause. “Elena founded Durok Biotech Company.”
Shock and acceptance mixed in his tone. He had known her mind was sharp even in youth. Yet the fall of Hamilton Corporation under Durok Biotech's rise stirred rumors.
Revenge whispered through every corner.
“It is not finished,” Ezra continued. “I spoke with the others. We will contact Elena. We grew up together. We will ask her to leave your company and give it a little chance to survive.”
His hand settled on Drake's shoulder.
Something snapped.
Drake shook him off. His eyes blazed. “Stay away from my matters with Elena,” he shouted. “Do not pretend you did not push her away.”
Drake remembered how his friends told Elena to give up on him.
Ezra stiffened. “Be fair. You loved Cassandra deeply then. Elena was our friend too. Watching her suffer hurt us. You were willing to die for love once. But the way you treated her cut deep. What choice did we have except to ask her to step aside?”
Drake laughed bitterly. “Did you all forget with me? Were you not her friend? How did you accept Cassandra so easily? How did you compare her to Elena? Did it cross your mind that when you urged Elena to leave while laughing with Cassandra and saying it would be better if Elena never woke, you stabbed her twice? She already doubted her worth. She woke after two years to find everyone gone. Do you know what that did to her?”
His voice broke.
Ezra looked away. He knew. They had never believed Elena would wake. That was why they embraced Cassandra. And Elena’s return placed them in shame.
Ezra lowered his gaze. After a long silence, a bitter smile formed. “Maybe we only believed we were her friends. In truth, we followed you. She was your mate in our eyes. Whoever you chose became our friend. We never saw her as our own person.”