Chapter 156 Answers
Hayley’s POV:
Leonard shook his head, reminding me that she didn’t understand stocks. With no updates on Southwell Group’s situation, my appetite completely vanished. I hurried out the door, phone in hand, searching for news about the company.
To my surprise, the results painted a drastically different picture from just yesterday. Early this morning, Southwell Group announced new partnerships with some of the country’s top-tier enterprises. Since the stock market opened at 10 AM, the company’s shares have been climbing steadily, with no sign of slowing down.
I was stunned. How could such a significant turnaround happen overnight? Desperate for answers, I rushed to Southwell Group’s headquarters. The moment I stepped inside, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere from the past few days had vanished without a trace.
There were two new faces at the front desk—both Beta-level werewolves. They greeted me warmly as I entered. “Good morning, Ms. Carson!”
I returned their smiles with a polite nod and took the elevator to the top floor. The sprawling office space had regained its usual bustling energy. Seeing the revived atmosphere, I finally felt a sense of relief. Just then, Tyrone appeared behind me. “Hello, Ms. Carson!” he greeted.
I turned to face him. “Hello, Tyrone.” He gave me a knowing smile. “Surprised, aren’t you?”
I nodded. Tyrone’s expression turned proud. “Benjamin is the Alpha of the world’s most powerful pack! As his right-hand man for so many years, I’ve always known the extent of his strength and capability.”
“All we need to do is trust him.” I recalled Benjamin’s words from last night. A smile tugged at my lips as I said, “The company’s ability to weather this crisis is a collective effort. Southwell Group’s future looks promising, and I’m confident that Midnight Pack will emerge stronger and more united after this setback.”
At that moment, the door to the CEO’s office opened, and Benjamin stepped out. He cleared his throat softly, snapping Tyrone to attention. “Alpha!”
I turned toward Benjamin, and our eyes met. He spoke first. “You’ve worked hard these past few days. Let me drive you back to your classes.”
I quickly shook my head. “No need. I can go back on my own. I’m sure the company and the pack still have plenty for you to handle. Besides, I need to wrap up my tasks and hand them over to the new team members before I leave.”
Tyrone chimed in with a grin. “Alpha, I’ll assist Ms. Carson.” With that, he followed me to my desk. I organized all my files, finished the handover, and prepared to leave.
Before I could lift my head, Hera stirred inside me, buzzing with excitement. That’s when I caught a faint, captivating scent. I looked up and found Benjamin’s face much closer to mine than I’d expected—so close that my heart began to race. “Benjamin, is something wrong?” I asked, trying to steady my voice.
He glanced at the time and smiled. “It’s almost noon. Let’s grab lunch together.”
As I was about to decline, Hera chimed in with a protest, “Hayley, don’t miss any chance to spend time with him, okay?” Plus, my stomach had started to rumble. Reluctantly, I nodded. “Fine, but since you’re inviting me, I’m ordering the most expensive thing on the menu.”
Benjamin chuckled. “Deal. Let’s go.” He led me to a quiet, cozy restaurant. The place wasn’t crowded, giving it a serene charm. The owner, a cheerful woman, seemed familiar with Benjamin and greeted him warmly. “Hello, Ben.”
“Amelia, the usual,” he said casually. Amelia’s eyes flickered to me with a teasing smile. “Sure thing.”
Benjamin turned to me, explaining, “Amelia is a friend of my mother’s. I drop by occasionally for her cooking—it’s pretty good. Make sure you try a bit of everything.”
I nodded, smiling. “If you say it’s good, it must be worth trying. I trust your judgment.” He raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly. “Just don’t blame me if it doesn’t meet your expectations.”
I didn’t respond. Before long, the dishes were served, each one looking more appetizing than the last. Unable to resist, I took a small bite. “Wow, this is amazing,” I said, thoroughly impressed.
Benjamin smiled as he cut a piece of steak and placed it on my plate. “Try this.” I was already famished, and with all the delicious food in front of me, any pretense of elegance went out the window. I dove in wholeheartedly, savoring every bite. Benjamin watched me eat with a quiet smile, his eyes soft.
A little later, Amelia brought out another dish. “This is our specialty. You two have to try it.” She set the plate down, adding, “It’s a bit tricky to portion, though. Take your time.”
Just as I reached for it, Benjamin spoke up, “I’ll handle it.” Amelia chuckled and teased, “I used to worry that Ben’s personality would make him terrible at taking care of others. Seems I was wrong.”
I glanced at Benjamin, surprised at how deftly he divided the food and placed a portion in front of me. Feeling a little flustered, I quickly said, “That’s okay. I can do it myself.” But Benjamin didn’t give me the chance, gently setting the plate in front of me. “Eat up.”
Amelia smiled knowingly. “Take your time. Let me know if you need anything.” I thanked her before focusing on my meal again.
After lunch, Benjamin drove me back to campus. I had just settled into my seat, working through a practice test, when someone called out to me. “Hayley, someone’s looking for you outside.”
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