Cecilia
I clamped my hand over Harper’s mouth with lightning-fast reflexes, practically dragging her into the elevator.
My eyes shot daggers at her-a clear say another word and I’ll end you warning
As if my life wasn’t complicated enough without her adding fuel to the fire!
Harper’s eyes crinkled with amusement above my restraining hand
She made muffled sounds against my palm, nodding vigorously and giving me an OK sign with her fingers, promising silence.
Only then did I slowly release her.
The others joined us in the elevator.
Alpha Sebastian’s demeanor had shifted noticeably-his expression more distant than before. Though the change was subtle, his aura had become distinctly unapproachable.
The suffocating Alpha pressure made the elevator ride uncomfortably silent.
After leaving the building, Harper, touched that we’d come to check on her, insisted on treating us to a late-night meal.
Alpha Sebastian declined with characteristic brevity, departing with Tang in tow.
He’s angry,” Harper whispered in my ear once they were out of earshot.
“No shit, I can see that without you pointing it out!”
[The Alpha had been acting strange since the resort incident.
Whatever-let him brood! ]
1 quickly changed the subject. “Weren’t you offering dinner? He’s not coming, but Yvonne and I are starving. Are you still buying?”
“Of course!” Harper grinned, driving us to a hot pot restaurant where the three of us settled in for food and conversation.
Yvonne and Harper had never spent much time together before, but they seemed to hit it off immediately.
Despite Yvonne’s theatrical personality, she genuinely appreciated Harper’s straightforward nature.
“So,” Yvonne asked between bites, “did you actually find any evidence to incriminate Cici White today?”
Harper’s expression darkened. “Mrs. White is one slippery snake. After alt my setup and today’s final push, she still dodged every trap. Damn it.”
“That’s how these people operate,” Yvonne remarked, delicately dipping vegetables in water before eating them. “The truly wicked always justify their cruelty with righteous excuses. They never think they’re wrong-in their minds, the only mistake is that their victims continue to exist.”
“You have quite the insight into human nature,” Harper noted with appreciation.
“Call me Yvonne, please. And I’ll call you Harper if that’s alright?” Yvonne suggested with a warm smile. “We’re friends now, after all.”
“Perfect,” Harper agreed, smoothly producing a business card from her purse. “Yvonne, if you ever need legal advice, come see me. I’ll give you a twenty percent discount.” Yvonne paused momentarily before bursting into laughter. “Such an entrepreneur! I’U keep this, and I’ll introduce you to some friends who might need your services.” Harper thanked her enthusiastically.
After dinner, Yvonne’s driver picked her up, and I drove Harper’s car back to her apartment.
The moment we stepped inside and put down our bags, Harper pulled me to the couch, excitement radiating from her as she pulled out her phone.
“Know what this is?” she asked, displaying a strange app on her screen.
“No games. Just tell me,” I urged.
You’re no fun,” Harper pouted before her expression brightened again. “This, my friend, is the key that will send Cici White to prison.”
She opened the app, and I examined it carefully before breaking into a smile. “You planted a listening device in that necklace you sold to Mrs. White.”
¡How did you-” Harper’s eyes widened before understanding dawned. “You were watching from next door!”
I clasped my hands together in mock worship.
My entire body went cold.
I told Harper about Xavier visiting me, demanding I sign a statement dropping charges against Cici. “That’s actually why I came looking for you at the law office earlier.” Harper exploded. “What the actual fuck?” she snapped, pacing the living room like a caged lion. “Who does Xavier think he is? That piece of shit! Has he completely lost his soul since crawling into bed with that psychotic bitch? Forgiveness? I’ll give them forgiveness when hell freezes over!”
I tried to respond, but my voice caught in my throat. My skin had gone cold.
I could handle Xavier’s threats. I’d even rehearsed what I’d say if he showed up again.
But hearing about the boy… about his mother dying in that so-called accident… it unspooled something deep in me.
“What if something happens to my parents?” whispered. “What if something happens to you? I couldn’t live with that.”
Harper stopped pacing. Her expression twisted-part anger, part something softer.
“Don’t you dare be scared,” she said, but her voice had lost some of its fire.
1 looked down at my hands. They were trembling.
I hated that I was afraid. Hated that the people who hurt others always seemed to keep winning, while the rest of us just tried to survive.
Harper muttered, “That fucking bastard Xavier… even after the divorce, he still finds a way to poison everything. Can’t some higher power just take them both off the damn map?” Then-ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Harper froze. “Who the hell could that be at this hour?”
She started toward the door, but I moved before I could think, grabbing her arm.
“Don’t open it.”

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