Chapter 143: The Web of Deception Unravels
Chapter 143: The Web of Deception Unravels
(Ethan’s POV)
My expression changed drastically at Olivia’s question. The blood drained from my face as I realized how much she had already figured out.
Vanessa had contacted me through our encrypted communication channel just hours ago. She had repeatedly instructed me not to let Olivia or Connor know about our alliance.
Her violet eyes had been desperate when she called. “Promise me, Ethan. No matter what happens, you cannot reveal our connection.”
I had agreed without thinking. Now I understood why she was so insistent.
Raymond Lewis had been arrested by pack enforcement. Even if Olivia discovered my connection to his criminal operations against her, it wouldn’t matter much anymore.
But this was different. This was about Frederick Warner and Grace’s k********
*g.
“I don’t know about any k********g plan,” I said quickly, my voice strained. “I only knew you had been abducted by Frederick. That’s why I reported it to the authorities.”
My hands trembled slightly as I spoke. “I was trying to save you.”
Olivia’s amber eyes flashed with impatience. Her wolf was bristling beneath her skin, and I could sense her supernatural energy radiating outward.
“How did you know I was abducted to Cloudmere?” she pressed, her voice sharp as a blade.
I hesitated, my ice–blue eyes shifting nervously. The truth was too dangerous to reveal completely.
“Someone from Frederick’s criminal network informed me,” I said finally.
The lie felt bitter on my tongue, but I couldn’t expose Vanessa. Not when our pack was already in such a precarious position.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Why would Frederick’s people inform you of such sensitive information?” I took a deep breath, knowing I had to give her something closer to the truth. “When Grey Holdings was failing financially, a man named Samuel Blackwood offered investment.”
My voice grew quieter as I continued. “In exchange for becoming a controlling shareholder, he wanted me to do favors for ‘Brother Zhou.”
Olivia’s expression remained cold, but I could see her processing this information.
“Samuel knew about my past relationship with you,” I admitted. “He knew about my conflicts with the Rivers pack. He planned to use me as a weapon against Connor.”
The words tasted like ash in my mouth. “Frederick told me that hurting Connor meant taking away what he cherished most. Separating him from you was the easiest way to accomplish this goal.”
Olivia’s face showed no emotion, but her scent carried waves of disgust that made me flinch.
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Chapter 143 The Web of
I reached out instinctively, trying to touch her hand. “Olivia, I’m sorry-”
She slapped my hand away with supernatural speed. Her wolf’s protective instincts flared, and I could feel the power radiating from her small frame.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t successful in separating you from Connor,” I continued desperately. “If I had succeeded, Frederick might not have targeted your family members.”
The words came out wrong, but I couldn’t stop myself. “This could have all been prevented if-”
“So you’re apologizing for not breaking me up with Connor?” Olivia’s voice dripped with disgust.
Her tone made nearby werewolves unconsciously step back. Even the human employees in the lobby seemed to sense the dangerous energy surrounding her.
I stuttered, trying to clarify my words as my confidence crumbled. “That’s not what I meant-”
“Grace Winters has been taken hostage,” Olivia interrupted, her fury radiating through her scent. “She could have been rescued if not for your police report.”
My face went pale as the implications hit me. “What do you mean?”
“You were manipulated by Vanessa Reed,” she accused. “She knew Frederick would kill me if law enforcement intervened in werewolf pack business.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. Had I been used as a pawn in a much larger game?
My mind raced back to Vanessa’s desperate calls. Her insistence that I contact the authorities. Her tears when she begged me to save Olivia.
Had it all been an act?
Olivia stepped closer, her amber eyes blazing with Alpha–like authority despite her lower rank. “Was Vanessa Reed involved in the conspiracy?”
I hesitated, torn between confessing the truth and protecting my pack. Grey Holdings was now under Frederick’s financial control through Samuel Blackwood’s investment.
My wolf whined with the conflict between honesty and self–preservation. If I revealed Vanessa’s involvement, what would happen to our alliance with the Rivers pack?
What would happen to my family’s business empire?
“It has nothing to do with her,” I lied through gritted teeth.
The words felt like poison leaving my mouth, but I couldn’t bring myself to destroy everything we had built.
Olivia simply laughed. The sound was cold and sharp, making my blood run cold.
She said nothing more and turned away from me with dismissive finality. Her rejection cut deeper than any physical wound.
Cassandra approached me as Olivia walked away. “Ethan, are you alright? Let me help you-”
I shoved her away with enough force to make her stumble. My control was snapping, and I couldn’t bear her false sweetness right now.
“Don’t touch me,” I snarled, pulling out my phone with shaking hands.
I was determined to discover the truth. If Vanessa knew about Frederick’s threat to kill Olivia when authorities were involved, then she had been using me as a disposable tool.
My ice–blue eyes burned with rage as I dialed her number. If she had manipulated me into endangering Olivia’s life, I would never tolerate such betrayal.
The phone rang once, twice, three times before she answered.
“Ethan?” Vanessa’s voice sounded nervous. “Is everything alright?”
“We need to talk,” I said coldly. “Now.”
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