Chapter 815 Bait
Hayley’s POV:
Cynthia pressed her lips together and gave a polite nod before picking up her initial sketches and holding them up one by one to the camera.
I looked through her designs and nodded in approval. “These are really good. No surprise there–you’re Rosalie’s personal protégé. It shows.”
At the mention of Rosalie, a flicker of sorrow crossed Cynthia’s eyes.
“Don’t overthink it, just focus on your designs. If you need anything, have Hubert arrange it for you. The jewelry exhibition is coming up fast. If everything goes smoothly, I’ll take you with me. That is–if you’re comfortable being seen in public. If not, that’s fine too–”
“No,” Cynthia cut in. “I have to go. I want Master to see how hard I’ve been working. I know that if she realizes I never stopped following her teachings, she’ll change her mind and come back.”
I nodded. “She will. Anything’s possible.”
We chatted a bit more before I ended the call. I closed my laptop and let out a long breath.
Cynthia’s current state… she’s definitely not ready to know what I’ve learned about Rosalie. I’ll keep it from her for now–at least until I meet Rosalie in person.
Just as I was packing up and getting ready to leave, my phone lit up with a call from an unfamiliar number.
My phone’s encrypted. Spam calls don’t get through. Who could this be?
“Who is this?” I answered and brought the phone to my ear.
“Ms. Sander, it’s only been two days. Didn’t you miss me?” Truman’s obnoxious voice oozed through the receiver.
“How the hell did you get my number?” I snapped, frowning.
“Oh, come on. You think I can’t manage that?” he chuckled.
Yeah, right. He’s Truman, Alpha of Grimmoon Pack. Of course, this was nothing for him.
I silently cursed myself for letting his antics get to me.
“Spit it out.” My tone was sharp.
“Tsk, you’re getting feistier by the day, but I like that about you.”
He threw in a couple more snarky comments before getting to the point. “Anyway, it’s nothing major. There’s a party tomorrow night, and a plus-one is required. I thought maybe you’d help me out.”
“Not interested,” I said, already moving to hang up.
“Don’t be so quick to turn me down, Ms. Sander. Maybe–just like last night’s banquet–I’ve got another little surprise waiting for you.” There’s a huge implication behind his words.
Damn it. I had to admit, he knew exactly how to bait me.
Or maybe… this had been his real aim all along.
That flash drive he gave me at the Sanders’ Residence? It was just the appetizer. It was just a way to show me he could solve problems I couldn’t.
I could feel it–an invisible net tightening around me. And Truman was holding the strings, pulling them tighter, thread by thread, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But he clearly forgot–I’m Hayley, an Alpha who’s been fighting on the battlefield since I was a teenager. I am the last person to back down from a challenge!
Even if I have to throw myself straight into the flames, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes to get what I want.
After a beat of silence, I exhaled. “Fine. Deal. Text me the time and address.”
And before he could get another word in, I ended the call.
The second I hung up, my WhatsApp exploded with messages from Hubert.
“Ms. Carson, why’d you hang up so fast? Don’t worry–I swear the signboard is perfect this time. The Bennetts sent an invite to Celine’s birthday party tomorrow. Should we go? Want me to attend? Ms. Carson… do you think I’m annoying?”
Yes, you are, I thought to myself.
The Bennetts. Now, that was a trap if I’ve ever seen one. It looks like Celine really has it out for me.
But she’s just a petty little thing–not worth my time.
I clicked into WhatsApp, about to tell Hubert to wait until I made up my mind, when I saw a message from Alan.