Chapter 172: Seeds of Doubt
Chapter 172: Seeds of Doubt
(Cassandra’s POV)
I left Moonstone Legal Partners with Olivia’s words echoing in my mind like a persistent drumbeat. Her cold confidence had planted a seed of doubt that I couldn’t shake.
“Ethan is facing his own serious problems within the pack hierarchy,” she had said. “His business empire is crumbling.”
I pulled out my phone as I walked to my car, scrolling through my contacts. If Olivia was telling the truth, I needed to know immediately.
My first call was to Miranda Blackwood, whose family had extensive business connections throughout Harbor City’s werewolf community.
“Miranda, it’s Cassandra. I need to ask you something about the Grey pack’s business situation.”
“Oh, Cassandra,” Miranda’s voice carried a note of sympathy. “I was wondering when someone would tell you. Silverridge Holdings has been hemorrhaging money for months.”
My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”
“The largest shareholder pulled out completely last week,” Miranda explained. “They liquidated everything and transferred their holdings back to Ethan. The company is technically his again, but it’s practically worthless now.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “How bad is it?”
“Bad enough that my father’s investment firm won’t touch anything Grey pack related,” Miranda said bluntly. ” Word is spreading that they’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”
I ended the call with trembling hands. My second call was to Victoria Sterling, whose family owned several luxury hotels in Harbor City.
“Victoria, have you heard anything about Ethan Grey’s business troubles?”
“Cassandra, where have you been?” Victoria’s voice was incredulous. “Everyone’s talking about it. The Morrison Group withdrew their investment yesterday. Blackwood Corporation followed suit this morning.”
My wolf whimpered with growing anxiety. “Is it really that serious?”
“Serious enough that my mother cancelled our partnership with them,” Victoria confirmed. “She said. investing with the Grey pack right now would be financial suicide.”
I hung up and sat in my car, staring at the pregnancy test results on my passenger seat. The reality of my situation was becoming clearer with each conversation.
If Ethan’s pack was truly facing financial ruin, what kind of future could I expect? What kind of life would my pup have?
I thought about Ethan’s recent behavior – the dark circles under his eyes, his constant exhaustion, the way his alpha wolf seemed perpetually on edge. It all made sense now.
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Chapter 172 Seeds of Do
The stress of watching his empire crumble was destroying him from the inside out.
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I started my car and drove through Harbor City’s downtown district, my mind racing with possibilities. If the Grey pack couldn’t maintain their position in the hierarchy, mating with Ethan would be like jumping into a fire pit.
My phone buzzed with a text from Margaret Grey: “Cassandra, dear, I’ve arranged a family dinner for this weekend. We need to discuss your future with Ethan.”
I stared at the message, wondering if Margaret knew about her son’s business failures. Did she understand that her precious Grey pack legacy was crumbling?
Another thought struck me with chilling clarity. If Ethan’s pack faced bankruptcy, the pup growing in my belly might be better off never being born into such instability.
I pulled over and called my doctor’s office. “I’d like to schedule a consultation about my pregnancy options.”
The receptionist’s voice was professional and kind. “Of course, Miss Evans. When would you like to come in?”
“As soon as possible,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my heart.
I needed time to think. Time to evaluate whether binding myself to a failing Alpha was worth the risk.
(Third person’s POV)
On Wednesday evening, Olivia Winters arrived at Crescent Moon Auction House wearing an elegant navy dress that complemented her amber eyes. The exclusive venue buzzed with Harbor City’s werewolf elite, all eager to bid on rare artifacts and luxury items.
She hadn’t expected to encounter Connor Rivers here. The Alpha usually sent Frank Langley to handle such matters rather than attending personally.
Connor stood near the registration desk, dressed in a black shirt and trousers that emphasized his commanding presence. Other werewolves circled him like moths to a flame, eager for even a moment of his
attention.
Olivia glanced at him briefly before looking away. She didn’t want to complicate their current arrangement any further.
Connor noticed her presence immediately. His ice–blue eyes tracked her movement through the crowd as he pushed past his admirers.
“Liv,” Connor approached quickly, his voice warm despite her obvious reluctance to engage. “You’re here for
the auction too?”
He had come specifically for the jewelry pieces being auctioned tonight. Several exquisite items had caught his attention in the catalog, and he wanted to bid on them personally as gifts for Olivia.
“Yes,” Olivia replied curtly, not meeting his gaze.
Adrian Sinclair appeared beside them with perfect timing, his gold–rimmed glasses reflecting the auction. house’s crystal chandeliers. He had the same idea as Connor several pieces in tonight’s catalog would make perfect gifts for Olivia.
Connor’s expression darkened immediately. “What are you doing here?”
Adrian smiled elegantly, adjusting his glasses. “It’s a small world, isn’t it?”
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Chapter 172 Seeds of Do.
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Olivia sensed the tension building between the two Alphas. “You two can chat. I’m going inside first.”
“I’ll accompany you,” Adrian responded quickly, falling into step beside her.
Connor’s ice–blue eyes flashed with territorial displeasure as he followed them into the main auction hall.
The auction began promptly at eight o’clock. Victoria Blackwell took her position at the podium, her navy blue suit impeccable as always.
“Welcome to tonight’s exclusive auction,” Victoria announced. “Our first item is a pair of Sapphire Moonstone
Earrings with a starting bid of five hundred thousand dollars.”
Olivia studied the earrings displayed on the screen. The sapphires caught the light beautifully, and the
moonstone accents would enhance her natural werewolf abilities.
She raised her paddle immediately. “Five hundred thousand.”
Adrian noticed Olivia’s interest and raised his paddle without hesitation. “Six hundred thousand.”
He wanted to purchase them as a gift for her, a gesture that would demonstrate his growing affection.
“Seven hundred thousand,” Connor followed closely, his voice carrying across the auction hall.
“One million,” Connor added decisively, increasing the bid by three hundred thousand and showing his
determination to win.
Olivia frowned in Connor’s direction. This wasn’t how auctions were supposed to work.
Other bidders joined the competition. “One million two hundred thousand.”
“One million three hundred thousand.”
“One million four hundred thousand.”
Adrian raised his paddle again. “One million six hundred thousand.”
Connor’s response was immediate. “Two million.”
Olivia stopped bidding entirely. She realized that Adrian and Connor were now competing against each other
rather than focusing on the actual auction.
Adrian raised his paddle without hesitation. “Two million two hundred thousand.”
Connor’s lips curved in a cold smile. “Two and a half million.”
Adrian stared at him in disbelief. Was this still an auction or had it become a personal confrontation between
two Alphas?
“Two million six hundred thousand,” Adrian continued, his voice strained.
Connor turned to look at Olivia. Her expression showed clear disinterest – she had obviously lost enthusiasm for the earrings entirely.
He stopped bidding.
Victoria Blackwell’s gavel fell. “Sold to paddle number forty–seven for two million eight hundred thousand dollars.”
The earrings with a starting price of five hundred thousand had been purchased by Adrian for nearly six times their opening bid.
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The next item appeared on the display screen. “An Imperial Jade Bracelet of exceptional quality, starting at
five million dollars.”
Olivia found the bracelet very appealing. The jade’s deep green color would complement her amber eyes perfectly.
“Five million two hundred thousand,” she bid.
Other werewolves began raising their paddles. “Five million three hundred thousand.”
“Five million four hundred thousand.”
“Five million five hundred thousand.”
The bidding quickly reached six million. Olivia found the constant competition exhausting and decided to wait until others stopped before making her final offer.
“Seven million,” Adrian suddenly announced. He could tell that Olivia genuinely liked the bracelet, and since Connor had competed for the earrings, he wanted to secure this piece for her.
Connor’s cold voice rang out immediately. “Eight million.”
Victoria Blackwell could barely contain her smile. Someone had just added one million dollars to the bid in a single increment.
“The current bid is eight million. Do I hear any higher offers?”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed with determination. “Nine million.”
Connor didn’t hesitate. “Ten million.”
Pack members began turning their heads to observe the competition. Connor maintained his usual composed expression while Adrian remained equally calm.
“Eleven million,” Adrian countered.
Connor’s lips curved in a cold smile. “Fifteen million.”
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Olivia’s annoyance was reaching its breaking point.
“Sixteen million,” Adrian continued competing.
Connor calmly raised his paddle. “Twenty million.”
Adrian thought to himself that if Connor wanted to be foolish with his wealth, he could have the bracelet. The color was too mature anyway, not suitable for someone of Olivia’s age.
The jade bracelet was ultimately purchased by Connor for twenty million dollars.
Olivia was on the verge of losing her temper completely. She showed little interest in the next three auction items, knowing that the necklace she desired most was coming up soon.
She pulled out her phone and called Connor.
Seeing her call, Connor felt overjoyed. It had been so long since Olivia had taken the initiative to contact him. His lips curved upward and his ice–blue eyes filled with pleasure.
However, as soon as he answered, a stream of angry words came through the phone.
The smile on his face froze instantly. He realized he had made a terrible mistake – he had bid on those items
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to make Olivia happy, but instead had made her furious.
Connor fell a pang of regret in his heart.
He lowered his voice and spoke soothingly. “I was wrong, Livy. I won’t bid recklessly anymore.”
“Shut up.” Olivia said angrily. “Who gave you permission to call me that?”
“You’re my intended mate,” Connor replied gently.
The line went silent. Olivia hung up directly.
Connor obediently refrained from bidding again. Adrian noticed Connor’s sudden change in behavior and turned to look at Olivia.
Sitting diagonally in front of her, he could clearly see her expression – she looked very angry. Was it because their competitive bidding had disrupted the auction?
Connor’s bidding behavior had indeed been unusual. Realizing this, Adrian wisely put away his bidding paddle and stopped participating.
Olivia finally won the necklace she wanted.
The auction ended, and Olivia stood up and walked straight toward the exit.
Connor quickly chased after her. “Liv, please wait.”
Olivia didn’t stop, walking out of the hall into the open–air parking lot outside.
Adrian followed behind but stopped at a distance when he saw Olivia confronting Connor.
“Connor Rivers, when did you become so childish?” Olivia’s amber eyes flashed with anger. “Do you have to
compete with Adrian? He’s already made it very clear that he doesn’t have romantic feelings for me!”
Adrian stopped where he stood, a complex expression crossing his features as he overheard this declaration.
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