Olivia was about to slip away through a side door when Elder Richard's words reached her ears. She stopped abruptly, immediately understanding his
intentions.
He feared Ethan would ignore his objections and publicly acknowledge Victoria and Emma anyway. By pushing Olivia forward first, he had preempted his son's defiance.
A cold sneer curled Olivia's lips. She had no intention of participating in this charade, but as
she turned to leave, members of the Silvercrest Security Detail blocked her path. "Luna Winters, you can't leave yet, please!" one of them said firmly.
With Matriarch Evelyn absent and no allies among the Stone family, Olivia had no choice but to return, her emerald eyes flashing with defiance.
Victoria Frost watched Olivia walk back, Elder Richard's words still ringing in her ears. She
nearly ground her teeth to dust with rage.
That damned old wolf! Her body trembled uncontrollably with emotional turmoil, her lowered
eyelids barely concealing the malice in her eyes.
If Ethan weren't present, she would have rushed at Olivia and slapped her hard across the
face. This b***h! Victoria hadn't expected Olivia to be so calculating, waiting until today to expose Emma's true parentage in front of Ethan and Elder Richard.
All her painstaking planning had ultimately benefited Olivia. How could she not hate her?
"Ethan..." Victoria quickly suppressed the malice in her heart. She absolutely couldn't let Ethan publicly acknowledge Olivia. Today's ceremony belonged to her and Ethan.
If Ethan appeared with Olivia in front of everyone, she would become a laughingstock. She
wouldn't allow it.
Victoria raised her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She stumbled toward Ethan and threw
herself into his arms, looking up at him pitifully.
"Ethan, five years ago, we were forced to separate because of that one night of accidental mating between you and Olivia," she whimpered. "We missed each other for five years. I waited for you for five years, and finally, today has arrived."
1/6
This was the first time Ethan had spoken to Emma in such a harsh tone. The child was so frightened that she immediately forgot to cry, her young wolf cowering submissively.
Victoria's heart sank. She understood. Ethan had made his decision, and there was no room for maneuver. Any further fuss would only annoy him.
"Emma, come to Mommy. Let's wait for Alpha together," she said softly, also reminding Ethan of her uncomplaining nature, increasing his guilt.
Ethan glanced at Victoria and her daughter, then without further delay, pulled Olivia's hand and walked out.
Looking at the cooperative Olivia, Ethan felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Going public with him was what she wanted after all. It meant that all her unusual behavior recently was just due to jealousy. She still loved him.
And he... He had thought he would resist. After all, the person he wanted to mark, the person he wanted to make public, had always been Victoria. But at this moment, as he led Olivia toward the media outside, he felt no reluctance in his heart.
Ethan's heart stirred. He was about to interlock his fingers with Olivia's, but she took the
opportunity to pull away, her wolf's scent radiating coldness.
Elder Richard saw the two of them and glanced at Vincent Reynolds, who quietly left. Ethan
and Olivia appeared together in everyone's view. Elder Richard gave way to the two of them.
In the instant he passed by Olivia, Elder Richard gave her a look filled with endless meaning.
The same disdain as always, as if she had gotten a good deal.
Olivia ignored him, brushed past him, and walked toward the media.
Everyone's attention was focused on Ethan and Olivia. No one noticed that not far behind them, Victoria and her daughter were being dragged out by the Silvercrest Security Detail, their
mouths covered to prevent them from howling for help.
"How dare you do this to me! Ethan will not let you off!" Victoria threatened through gritted
teeth.
But they were all Elder Richard's confidants and only listened to him. Victoria's words only earned her rougher treatment. They dragged her and her daughter away, avoiding the crowd,
and out of the Stone Estate.