Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 168

Chapter 168

Megan’s POV

VPN

69

I studied Catherine Stone’s face across the table, and her daughter Kim’s beside her, noting how her eyes darted anxiously around the private dining room. Perfect. Nervous people were easier to manipulate.

“I am who?” Catherine repeated my earlier introduction, her voice pitched slightly higher than necessary. “What do you mean it doesn’t matter who you are? You’re the one who called me here.”

I leaned back in my chair, keeping my voice deliberately soft and sympathetic. “Who I am isn’t important to you right now. The reason I asked you to come is because I think you and your family are in a truly terrible situation.”

Catherine’s posture stiffened. I could practically smell her fear and desperation. She was trying so hard to maintain that facade of dignity in her outdated designer blouse. Pathetic.

“The Stone family’s recent troubles,” I continued, stirring my tea delicately, “are quite the hot topic among the werewolf community in Moonshade Bay. Iris, as your daughter, cutting ties with you so completely…”

I trailed off, watching Catherine’s reaction carefully. Her nostrils flared and her pupils dilated – signs of anger bubbling just beneath the surface. God, this woman was so easy to read.

“She’s not my-” Catherine started, then stopped herself abruptly. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.

“Not your what?” I prompted, hiding my amusement behind my teacup. This was going to be even easier than I’d thought.

Catherine’s expression transformed in an instant. Her lips turned downward, her shoulders slumped, and she blinked rapidly as if fighting back tears. “We’ve been through so much since being forced out of the Grey family territory,” she whimpered. “We’re barely surviving in a rented apartment in the human district.”

I nearly snorted into my tea. What a laughably bad performance. Did she seriously think I’d buy this act? I’ve seen better acting in high school drama clubs.

“That must be so difficult for you,” I said, matching her theatrical tone with my own. “Especially with your daughter Kim. She must be devastated by the change in circumstances.”

Catherine nodded eagerly, and I watched as Kim pulled out a tissue from her purse and handed it to her mother. Catherine dabbed at her completely dry eyes. Their synchronization was impressive, I had to give them that much. Mother–daughter scam artists working in perfect harmony.

“It’s been so hard on poor Kim,” Catherine sniffled. “She’s not used to living like… like common people.”

I leaned forward, widening my eyes in exaggerated shock. “My God, you mean you’ve actually had to leave the protected werewolf territory to live in a regular apartment building? With humans?”

1/2

14:30 Fri, Apr 10

Chapter 168

The horror in my voice seemed to please Catherine, who nodded miserably. “We have nothing left. Nothing.”

“Well, I said, pausing for effect, “that’s not entirely true, is it? Your daughter Iris seems to be doing quite well for herself.”

VPN

09

Catherine’s head snapped up, her fake tears instantly forgotten. “What do you mean?”

I arranged my features into an expression of innocent surprise. “Oh, you haven’t heard? Iris recently won an international design competition under her ‘Aurora‘ pseudonym. The prize money alone was substantial, not to mention the design contracts that followed. She must be absolutely rolling in cash right now.”

The change in Catherine was immediate and visceral. Her breathing quickened, her face flushed, and her eyes–those greedy little eyes- sharpened with undisguised envy and rage. Her hands clenched into fists on the table, knuckles whitening. This was exactly the reaction I’d been hoping for. I could almost taste her jealousy in the air.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify