Chapter 330: Her Arrogant Attitude Remains
Hayley’s POV: +8 Pearls
It was still early, and none of the other students had arrived yet. The large classroom was empty except for Belle and me. With a tone dripping in mockery, Belle said, “Ah, the genius. Of course, you’re already in the classroom this early.”
I was already irritated and had no interest in engaging with her, so I ignored her completely. But Belle, likely emboldened by Benjamin’s absence and my lower rank, kept up her arrogant attitude.
She continued, “About what happened yesterday, I’ve thought it over. Sure, I was the one who spread the rumor, but honestly, I don’t think it really affected you that much.”
“Besides,” she added smugly, “Benjamin said I don’t need to apologize to you. So, let’s just call it even, and from now on, let’s not mess with each other anymore.”
Benjamin said to just let it go? Hearing this was like a knife to my chest, and even Hera felt the sting.
“You really think this can just be brushed aside?” I asked coldly.
Belle smiled, unfazed. “Of course. What, do you actually expect me to apologize? And in front of all our classmates, no less? That would be humiliating.”
“Besides,” she added with a smirk, “Benjamin already said there’s no need for me to apologize. Or do you not believe me? Oh, by the way, Hayley, I almost forgot to mention something else.”
She looked at me with an air of provocation and continued, “Madeline is my cousin. She and Benjamin practically grew up together—childhood sweethearts. If you hadn’t butted in, they might’ve been married by now. And as it stands, my cousin is the Luna of the Midnight Pack.”
“But even so, Benjamin still takes great care of her. The moment he found out I was her cousin, he decided to let this whole thing slide.”
I watched her lips move, the rest of her words fading into a meaningless drone as that last sentence slammed into me—because Belle is Madeline’s cousin, everything she did was forgiven.
And Benjamin had even told her she didn’t need to apologize? This was the same Benjamin who had once taken a completely different stance. Now, suddenly, he had done a full 180. Benjamin was the alpha of the Midnight Pack. Someone like Belle wouldn’t dare lie about him.
My hands clenched into tight fists, but I said nothing. Belle, clearly pleased with herself, kept talking. “I know you might not believe me, but my cousin’s…”
“If you don’t believe me, why don’t you see for yourself? This afternoon at three o’clock, Benjamin and my cousin will be meeting at the Champagne Hotel, room 502. If you’re curious, you’re welcome to drop by.”
She finished speaking and looked at me with narrowed eyes as if daring me to react.
After hearing her words, the intense possessiveness I felt toward Benjamin, my destined mate, drove Hera into a frenzy. Her rage threatened to make me lose all sense of reason. It took every last shred of my self-control to keep Hera from taking over and ripping Belle apart.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I said, “You’ve got quite the mouth on you, always spreading lies and rumors. Do you really think I’m going to believe a single word you say?”
Belle shrugged nonchalantly. “Believe me or not, it’s up to you. But facts are facts.”
I inhaled deeply, repeatedly telling myself that Benjamin wasn’t that kind of person. And yet, no matter how much I tried to convince myself, a small, nagging thought lingered—What if what Belle said is true? Even destined mates aren’t immune to betrayal. It’s rare, but it’s not unheard of.
Time ticked by slowly, unbearably so. From morning until noon, I felt like I was trapped in an endless wait. I had never experienced time dragging this much.
By the time the lunch break rolled around, I couldn’t sit still any longer. Whether Belle’s words were true or false, I had to see it with my own eyes. After all, hearing rumors is never as reliable as witnessing the truth for yourself.
As soon as I left the school, I hailed a cab and headed straight for the Champagne Hotel…