Chapter 573: His Power Didn’t Fall Far Behind Benjamin’s

Hayley’s POV: +8 Pearls

“Sit,” Steven waved his hand dismissively, gesturing to the couch beside him. His fingers wrapped around a glass of wine; his expression was unreadable.

I felt my patience wearing thin, but I held back, refusing to let Hera take control and intimidate him. This guy… why did he have to be so dramatic as he got older? If Benjamin weren’t here, I would have marched over and knocked some sense into that stubborn head of his.

Even though Benjamin was the Alpha of the Midnight Pack, Steven wielded immense financial influence in the business world. His power was not far behind Benjamin’s, and both were well aware of it.

So, when they met, there were no formal greetings or the usual werewolf rituals. They simply exchanged a brief nod before diving straight into the conversation.

“Where is X now?” Steven asked, his voice direct and unyielding.

“You mean the stock market genius who disappeared years ago?”

On our way here, I had mentioned to Benjamin that Steven and X had worked together in the past. Of course, I hadn’t told him that I was X. Benjamin, however, knew about their close connection.

He sighed and shook his head slightly, a look of helplessness crossing his face. “Unfortunately, we haven’t been in much contact with X lately.”

Steven nodded as if the answer didn’t matter, but I felt his gaze subtly shift toward me. It was as if he was studying me closely. My heart skipped a beat. Could he already know that I was X?

But no, Steven wasn’t known for being particularly perceptive, not like me. I released a quiet breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

Benjamin must have sensed Steven’s gaze as well, because his arm instinctively pulled me closer, almost protectively. With a hint of pride, he introduced me, his voice steady. “This is my fiancée, Hayley.”

Hera was thrilled with how close Benjamin had drawn me, especially with the physical contact. She growled excitedly inside my mind, and I quickly had to calm her down.

Steven paused, blinking in surprise before letting out a soft chuckle. “Heh… I didn’t realize the famous Alpha Benjamin was so insecure around his fiancée.”

Benjamin tilted his head slightly, not denying the playful jab. He smirked, “What can I say? My fiancée is quite popular.”

Steven laughed and nodded, then glanced at me. “You two seem to have a great relationship. Keep it that way.”

I couldn’t take the casual banter any longer, especially since they weren’t getting to the point. I decided it was time to speak up. “You,” I fixed my gaze on Steven, unable to hold back my growing impatience. “Since you’re so free, why don’t you spend your time with those useless Ortegas? You should leave the house for once. You’re acting like a helpless patient!”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake. I had forgotten that I wasn’t X in this moment—I was Hayley, and I shouldn’t have spoken so harshly.

Both Steven and Benjamin were taken aback by my sudden outburst. Steven’s eyes widened in disbelief; he stared at me for a long moment without saying a word.

Benjamin, clearly surprised by my sharp tone, quickly tried to smooth things over. “Sorry, my fiancée can be unique. She sometimes speaks her mind in unexpected ways, but she means no harm.”

Steven glanced back and forth between us, clearly uncertain how to react. After a brief pause, he seemed to regain his composure and waved it off with a smile. “I’m not that petty. It’s just… not many people dare speak to me like that, except for one of my friends…”

He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You’ve certainly caught me off guard.” After a moment, he continued, “But don’t worry. X’s friends are my friends too. Tomorrow, I’ll announce my investment in the Southwell Group. Once that’s done, the Ortegas won’t be much of a concern.”

Benjamin opened his mouth, clearly about to express gratitude, but before he could say anything, I stood up abruptly, my temper flaring. “Didn’t I tell you to go mingle with the Ortegas? Is it so hard to understand?” I snapped, frustration lacing my voice. I had given him that order as X. Why did he always have to beat around the bush like this?

Steven’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing slightly as irritation began to show. His tone grew condescending, with a hint of mockery. “Do you even understand what it means for me to mingle with the Ortegas?”