Chapter 142
Freya
The highly anticipated Financial Summit was approaching. Multiple companies were being mentioned as potential winners, with the most frequently cited being Morgan Group.
Surprisingly, Sterling Corporation wasn't on the favorites list.
Industry insiders were analyzing that without me, Sterling's chances of winning were slim. Meanwhile, Morgan Group was being mentioned repeatedly precisely because I had joined them.
As Summit-related topics continuously trended on social media with soaring engagement, someone suddenly released what could only be described as scandalous news at this critical moment.
The revelation claimed that Lucas Morgan's mate—me—had previously been marked by Paxton Sterling. We'd recently had our mark dissolved, but I'd quickly gotten together with Lucas. Insiders alleged I'd suffered a miscarriage after leaving Paxton.
The revelation exploded online. People hurled accusations: "Can't believe she could be so unscrupulous!" Others questioned whether Paxton had helped me achieve my accomplishments. Morgan Group's stock plummeted.
I watched it unfold, mind racing. My body hadn't fully recovered, but these attacks didn't faze me. This was clearly premeditated.
"How interesting," I laughed softly, glancing at Lucas beside me.
Lucas nodded in agreement. "They came prepared."
"Who do you think it is?"
The players capable of orchestrating such an elaborate scheme were limited: Wayne, Sterling Corporation, possibly Hugo Morgan, or even Kai Sterling.
When I mentioned Wayne's name, Lucas looked surprised. "Others I could understand, but Wayne? You two have worked together for years. How could he hurt you?"
Years of partnership, gone just like that?
I laughed softly. Others might not understand Wayne, but I did.
I remarked, "Wayne is loyal to Paxton, and he's also loyal to profit and the pack. When I was still at Sterling Corporation, he wouldn't target me. But now it's different—I've resigned and naturally become seen as an opponent."
I paused, having already anticipated everything. "He's forcing me back to Sterling territory. He wants me to face reality and return to Sterling Corporation."
Lucas nodded slightly, his gaze showing more appreciation.
I continued, "He's clever, but he hasn't seen through Kai Sterling. Kai has massive ambitions—he wants not just Sterling Corporation but much more. Wayne's scheme against me... I can see it, and Kai can see it too. He knows I'll understand everything. So Kai is waiting for me to retaliate against Wayne, and when chaos erupts, he can seize the opportunity."
"He wants me to strike back like an Alpha. I'm doing exactly the opposite." I smiled. "Rather than making things worse, I'll use more compelling news to overshadow this buzz."
My fingers flew across the keyboard, uploading a video titled: "Future is Now, No Answers."
I knew exactly what mattered most to Kai Sterling. More than Morgan Group or Sterling Corporation, he cared about cutting-edge security technology.
I was going to make Kai feel defeated, let him taste what it meant to be outmaneuvered.
Lucas leaned over to watch the video I'd posted online.
The video showcased an advanced security system that could interact naturally with humans and werewolves, identify threats while maintaining absolute discretion about supernatural identities. It was revolutionary—adaptive protocols that could transform how our kind survived in the human world.
The comments section exploded immediately.
"Holy shit!"
"Has Freya actually pioneered protection technology?"
Just as predicted, this trending topic pushed my negative publicity aside. International partners flooded my social media seeking collaboration. Morgan Group's stock recovered and continued surging.
"Sometimes the most effective Alpha move is refusing to play Alpha games," I told Lucas, watching the numbers climb.
He wrapped his arms around me. "You're terrifying when you're strategic."
"Wayne thought he could manipulate me using pack pressure and traditional expectations. Instead, I just made every major company in the world want to work with us," I replied, leaning into his embrace.
Kai Sterling
"Alpha Kai, Wayne has contacted the Morgan. What's our next move?" my assistant asked.
"Wayne and Paxton's pathetic scheme," I scoffed, draining my glass. "Keep all evidence. When Freya learns the truth, she'll target Sterling for us."
I smiled coldly. Sterling Corporation would get involved, offend Freya, and face her retaliation. When chaos erupted, I'd profit handsomely. The more chaotic, the better.
Light footsteps announced Zoe's return. She burst in, throwing herself into my arms. "Daddy!"
My heart melted. This daughter was my weakness.
"I might be falling in love soon," she announced proudly. "My senior is our school's pride. We're collaborating for the Financial Summit, and I'll confess afterward."
I maintained my smile while calculation flickered through my mind. "Anyone capturing our Zoe's heart must be exceptional."
She chattered excitedly about her senior before leaving tired. Once alone, my assistant emerged.
"Should I investigate Beta Zoe's senior?"
"Find out his background. If he's targeting Zoe's status, eliminate him after the Summit. He's still her partner for now," I remarked.
After reviewing Sterling Corporation files, my lips pressed into a tight line. Eventually, I'd hand everything to Zoe. Everything Paxton possessed, she could have too.
---
Then I saw Freya's latest moves.
I shouted, "Freya! You're exactly like your mother—troublemakers who never give me peace!"
My expression darkened with rage. One died but wouldn't let me rest. The other lived but constantly constrained me.
I slammed my fist on the desk. "From today forward, everything you want, everything you protect—I'll destroy it all."
My gaze turned ice-cold. "Lucas Morgan isn't enough. Add Flynn too. I want both sleeping forever on Satan's Track."
Satan's Track—the notorious racing venue that had claimed countless lives. Freya gave Lucas the most crash-resistant car? I'd test its durability.
My assistant nodded grimly. "Understood."
I reviewed my team's pathetic research progress. Despite having Celia's manuscripts, still no breakthrough! I clicked Freya's video repeatedly, almost hearing it mock me:
"Hello, Kai Sterling. After all these years, what have you accomplished? I was designed by Freya—pretty cool, right?"
I shut off my phone abruptly. Freya's achievements would belong to me eventually.
If this failed again, I'd bring Leo Sterling back from the European Wolf Academy. My adopted son would handle this personally. Freya's technology was too valuable to remain outside Sterling control, and her defiance was intolerable.