Chapter 627: Trouble Would Never End
Benjamin’s POV: 72% Finished
“Fine, we’ll see. When disaster strikes, let’s see if you’re still so stubborn!” Alan said before hanging up the phone.
I clenched my fists tightly, taking a deep breath to calm myself. The key to all of this was Irving. Sure enough, as long as he wasn’t completely dealt with, trouble would never end. I began carefully analyzing the places where Irving could be hiding. I needed to come up with a plan to flush him out.
As I was thinking it through, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Tanner, telling me that my father, Axel, had been hospitalized. I glanced at the message, then stood up and left the conference room, heading straight to the hospital.
In the hospital room, Axel was lying in bed, with my mother, Odessa, sitting by his side. In the few days since I’d last seen her, my mother seemed to have aged significantly. A few strands of gray had appeared at her temples, and there were fine lines around her eyes. Axel, though bedridden, looked more alert than she did.
I stepped inside and called out quietly, “Dad.”
Odessa stood up quickly, her face lighting up with hope as she looked at me, seemingly waiting for a greeting. I hesitated for a moment, then shifted my gaze and walked to my father’s side.
“Hey, you’re here,” Axel said with a weak smile, gesturing toward the chair beside him. “Sit.”
“I’m fine standing,” I replied coolly. “How did this happen?”
Axel sighed deeply, clearly not wanting to discuss it. Odessa, however, took over the conversation. “It’s those Southwell relatives again. They all showed up at the house, threatening that if the Southwells went bankrupt, they’d die in front of us! Some of them even had the nerve to call your father a bastard. He turned into his wolf form and fought them off, refusing to let the Beta warriors help. He overexerted himself and collapsed from exhaustion.”
Odessa fussed over Axel, adjusting his blankets, and then turned to me with a hint of reproach. “And you, of all people, knew Yarbrough Pharmaceuticals’ stock would rise. Why didn’t you tell the Southwells? Even if you ignore the distant relatives, what about our own immediate family? Why didn’t you do something to help us?”
I remained unmoved, looking at her coldly. “I thought it was what you wanted.”
“Me? I didn’t want you to choose that Omega woman, Hayley!” Odessa shot back, glaring at me.
“Even though she’s a member of the Carson family, the ruling family of the Shadow Pack, without influence, she has no power or resources. Your grandfather tried to arrange the marriage to benefit the alliance between our two packs, but he didn’t take her low status into account. She’s just not a suitable match for you. You have top qualities, and you’re an Alpha. Why not choose an Alpha woman to be your Luna? Someone who can help you defend the Midnight Pack?”
She continued, her voice rising with frustration. “I never expected you to sever ties with us over her! Benjamin, wake up! Can’t you see the pain your closest family members are suffering?”
“Everyone must pay the price for their choices,” I said calmly.
“Hayley is my future wife, and she is my woman right now. If you continue to speak ill of her, I’ll have to leave for the time being.” My voice was cold and firm.
“Sigh…” Axel sighed, shaking his head. “I told you, you shouldn’t have pushed him so hard.”
“Not like you know anything! This is all Hayley’s fault!” Odessa’s voice went hysterical. “She’s a disaster! She brings bad luck to everyone around her. First, she killed George, and now she’s ruining us. Who knows, she might even bring the Midnight Pack misfortune in the future! She’s still shamelessly clinging to Benjamin. As long as they’re not separated, I won’t be able to rest in peace, even if I die!”
Her filthy insults toward Hayley ignited a surge of anger within me. I clenched my fists, my wolf eyes narrowing as I glared at her…