Chapter 174 The Scent of Power They Could No Longer Deny

Chapter 174 The Scent of Power They Could No Longer Deny


They had never spoken it aloud, yet the truth had always lived in their bones.They believed Elena did not carry the same scent of status they were raised to respect. That belief had been pressed into them since childhood, shaped by family pride and old money rules. Because of that, they told Elena to step aside and release Drake on her own. They never once urged Cassandra to walk away. They never pushed Drake to show mercy or care.

Back then, they judged Elena as a lesser wolf.

Now the ground has shifted. Elena stood on a peak none of them could climb.

Ezra faced Drake with a sharp gaze. “So tell me, Drake. Will you use your family to mend what you broke with Elena. If that is your plan, I will stop the others from chasing her. They will not hide behind you or the company just to reach her again.”

He knew the truth. They all did.

Every call made that morning had one goal. Elena now ruled a territory far beyond them. They could only look up. To approach her without shame, they needed a bridge.

This day marked Elena’s first step into a government hall. Dolphus stayed close, as he introduced her to each person. There was no need to hide her status anymore.

Many stared at Dolphus and Elena together, sensing a united force.

Immediately they are done with what brought them there, they exited the building.

Florence approached at once, with a stack of documents in her arms.

“The RushGreen Group will come to sign the contract the day after tomorrow,” she said. Then he leaned closer. “Miss Elena, several people called this morning. They claimed to be old friends. They could not reach you. I saved their names and numbers. Would you like to see them?”

Elena took the tablet. Her eyes skimmed the screen. She handed it back.

“No need.”

Those names carried old scents. Scents she no longer followed.

She checked her watch and turned toward Dolphus. He was giving instructions to Richard.

“Should we have lunch sent to the office, or eat outside. We need to tell the housekeeper early.” Elena asked.

“Outside,” Dolphus replied without pause. “Richard and Florence can return first.”

Richard closed his file and smiled.

“Understood. I will leave the car for you and Mr Dolphus, and I will go back with Florence.”

Elena signaled Melvin to follow in her own vehicle, then slid into Dolphus’s car.

“Nicholas placed more guards on Morrin. She is barred from the estate,” he said. “While we are here, she depended on Ronan, Director Dante's son. But Ronan has fallen. She has little strength now.”

Elena turned, interest sharp in her eyes.

“What happened to Ronan?”

“Ronan is not Dante's blood son. The children were exchanged at birth.”

Shock hit her hard. Her breath paused.

“I thought such things only lived in dramas or books.”

Dolphus spoke evenly as the car flowed into traffic.

“Stories rise from truth. The test results are final. The housekeeper made the switch. She wanted her grandson to live high. Dante was away when his wife gave birth. The housekeeper held the child. That was when she acted.”

Elena clenched her fingers.

“What of the real son?”

Dolphus continued.

“He grew strong on his own. He learned fast. His family used him, forcing him to work for his brother. Still, he studied on scholarships. The housekeeper’s family took even that. He worked jobs to survive. He loved and married at university. Pressure crushed it within two months. He gave everything to his former wife and left the country. He cut all ties. It took time to find him.”

Only after that did Richard confront Director Dante with proof.

When the tests confirmed the truth, Dante was shattered. His wife collapsed after learning she had cherished the wrong child while their own suffered cruelty.

Ronan now stood in a broken place. But Dante had not sent him away.

Dolphus reached to the console and passed Elena a tablet.

“This is the real son.”

Elena read. Her eyes sparked.

“He looks more business minded than Ronan.”

“Before, Dante protected Ronan,” Dolphus said. “Now change is fair. Once the real son returns, they will wish to repay him.”

Elena nodded.

“Ronan has failed many times.”

The car stopped before a restaurant. As they stepped out.

“It's really you.”

Maya rushed forward, excitement bright on her face. Ezra stood behind her on the steps. Maya did not pause. She looped her arm through Elena’s, smiling wide, acting as though time had never torn them apart.

“What is wrong with you?” Maya snapped. Her sharp eyes slid toward Dolphus standing beside Elena.

“Mr Dolphus.”

Elena eased her arm free from Maya's grip.

Maya did not notice or chose not to notice. She leaned closer again, her words spilling fast.

“I heard you were taken in by Gamma Raphael’s daughter.

”

“Maya.”

Ezra's voice cut through the air. He stepped down from the entrance. He gave Dolphus a brief nod and a controlled smile, then pulled Maya back to his side.

“Drake is in the hospital. Maya and I came to Drake to see him. We did not expect to meet Elena here. How have you been all these years?”

Elena met his eyes. Her smile did not falter.

“I have been well. Thank you.”

She turned slightly, already drawing the line.

“We need to eat quickly and return to the company. Work is waiting, so we will not disturb you.”

She looked at Dolphus.

“Let us go.”

Maya stepped forward in a rush.

“We could”

Elias closed his hand around Maya's arm. His grip was firm, stopping her words.

“Alright,” he said with a nod.

They stood there as Elena and Dolphus entered the restaurant. The door closed behind them.

Maya stamped her foot against the ground.

“Why did you stop me?” she hissed. “Do you know what chance this was? Elena is now the executive vice president of Farrington Corporation. She is even the granddaughter of Mr Raphael. If we could just connect with that company ”

Ezra turned toward her, his face tight.

“Do you remember what happened to Elena because of the drug you gave her?”

Maya bit her lip. Silence stretched. Then she spoke.

“I did not mean to target her. It was a mistake. And what followed was not my fault. That was Drake.”

Ezra looked toward the restaurant doors. Shame burned his chest.

“Let us eat somewhere else.” Ezra said.

Maya stared at him.

“Why are you like this?” she snapped. “We finally met her. Of course we should ask her to eat with us.”