Unbeknownst to them, someone else was watching from a distance – Winona, out shopping with friends.
Who’s that man? I’ve never seen him before, Winona thought, narrowing her eyes as the car sped away.
“Are you planning to return to Wisteria Apartment tonight?” Landon asked after dropping her off.
“Yes.” Tessa didn’t enjoy staying here. She’d only come back for dinner because her grandfather had insisted.
“Call me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up.”
“There’s no need; I can get back on my own.”
“Just go inside,” Landon said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Tessa nodded, recognizing his goodwill. She didn’t dislike Landon’s presence. In fact, deep down, she felt an odd sense of comfort and even a little anticipation when he was around – though she couldn’t explain why.
Landon’s silver Lamborghini pulled away, heading back.
Meanwhile, Winona, returning home in a black Mercedes, caught sight of the car. She quickly rolled down her window, trying to catch a glimpse of the driver’s face. But the tinted, anti-peep windows gave her nothing to work with.
As the Mercedes pulled up at the Sinclair estate, Winona stepped out of the car, surprised to see Tessa lingering by the gate.
“Who was that man just now?”
Tessa didn’t even glance at her. The household staff, hearing the sound of their arrival, opened the heavy iron gates. Without a word, Tessa walked in.
Seeing her ignored, Winona’s temper flared.
“Tessa, what’s with that attitude? I’m your sister! I’m just worried you might be getting deceived. Do you even know how many older werewolves rent luxury cars to prey on pretty young females like you?”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ll manage,” Tessa replied dismissively. If it had been anyone else, she might have taken the warning seriously. But coming from Winona? It was laughable.
Nobody in the world wished her ill more than her so-called sister.
Inside the estate, Walter was already waiting downstairs, accompanied by Yardley Sinclair, the family patriarch.
“Dad, you’re back!” Winona exclaimed, rushing over to embrace him. “I missed you so much.”
Since sustaining injuries during the vampire-war five years ago, Yardley had been undergoing rehabilitation at a werewolf hospital.
Yardley patted Winona on the back.
“How’s school going? The college entrance exams are coming up – focus and do your best.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’m consistently in the top five of my year. I’ll definitely get into an Ivy League university.” Winona beamed, knowing her father appreciated smart, accomplished children.
Yardley’s gaze landed on Tessa, and his expression soured. The daughter who had humiliated the family five years ago… How could he feel anything but disappointment seeing her now?
“Why are you even back here? Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?”
His warm demeanor toward Winona was gone, replaced by disdain for Tessa.
“It was my decision to bring her back!” Walter barked, slamming his cane against the floor. “Do I not even have a say in my own household anymore?”
Tessa moved to Walter’s side, gently rubbing his back to calm him down.
“Grandpa, don’t get upset. It’s bad for your health.”
“Tessie, I know you mean well, but I can’t just sit by and watch them treat you like this,” Walter replied angrily.
“Dad,” Yardley interjected, his tone tight. “I understand you’ve always doted on her, but this time, she really crossed the line – “
“Crossed the line? And you’ve never made mistakes in your life?” Walter shot back.
“Please don’t get mad, Grandpa. Dad, he’s just worried about you,” Winona chimed in sweetly, trying to diffuse the tension.
“Enough. Let’s eat,” Walter declared, cutting the argument short.
Walter pulled Tessa to sit beside him at the dining table. Yardley, Winona, and Lila each took their seats as well.
Dinner began in tense silence, each person harboring their own thoughts.
Toward the end of the meal, Walter finally broke the quiet.
“I didn’t just call Tessie back for dinner tonight,” he announced.
The other three turned to look at him, though Tessa remained as uninterested as ever.
“I still hold 20% of Sinclair Corp’s shares. I’ve decided to transfer them to Tessie. That way, she’ll have some security.”
Sinclair Corp might not rival Thorne Corp, but it was a top-ten company in Navoris and the Sinclair family’s primary financial lifeline, supporting the Frostmoon Pack as well.
“Dad, what are you talking about? You can’t just give your shares to Tessa!” Yardley protested, his tone sharp.
“Dad, Tessie is still young. What if she sells the shares and harms Sinclair Corp in the process?” Winona’s voice was laced with urgency, her frustration barely concealed.
She hadn’t expected her grandfather to suddenly decide to hand over all his shares to Tessa. It wasn’t fair. She’d worked so hard to prove herself, to become the perfect heiress. But as always, Tessa effortlessly stole the spotlight.
“Grandpa, please reconsider. This decision is too rash,” Winona implored, her voice softening in an attempt to sway him.
“The shares are mine,” Walter said firmly. “And I’ll give them to whoever I please. Your attitudes toward Tessie are disgraceful.”
“Dad, Sinclair Corp’s shares aren’t just personal assets; they’re vital to the family and the pack. This isn’t a decision to take lightly,” Yardley objected, his tone growing increasingly frustrated.
“Tessie, say something!” Lila turned to Tessa, her gaze sharp. “You don’t even know how to manage a company. What will you do with those shares?”
“What do you want me to say?” Tessa’s calm reply carried a subtle edge of defiance.
“You must have whispered something to Grandpa,” Lila accused, her frustration spilling over. “Do you even understand what you’re asking for?”
“Tessa, you’ve already humiliated this family once. How can you have the nerve to take Sinclair Corp’s shares now?” Yardley added, his voice dripping with disdain.
Tessa chuckled coldly, her gaze sweeping over them with indifference. They really think I’m the enemy, don’t they?
“I didn’t want the shares,” she said, her voice steady. “But since you’re all so desperate for me not to have them, I’ve decided I’ll take them after all. Thank you, Grandpa.”
Her words hit like a thunderclap. Yardley and Lila stared at her, their faces pale with fury.
Walter gave a satisfied nod. “Good. On Monday, I’ll have my lawyer handle the transfer. Tessie, come by then to finalize everything.”
Yardley’s hands clenched into fists under the table, but Walter’s authority left no room for further argument.
“Tessie, let me arrange for a driver to take you home,” Walter offered, knowing how uncomfortable she felt in the Sinclair house.
“No need, Grandpa. I’ll go on my own. You should rest early,” Tessa replied with a small smile, her demeanor softening only for him.
After Walter retired upstairs, the remaining members of the Sinclair family sat in tense silence.
“Dad, is Grandpa serious?” Winona asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
“You focus on your studies,” Yardley snapped. “I’ve already paved the way for you. The youngest son of the Thunder Pack alpha is returning soon. When the time comes, you need to impress him.”
Yardley’s hopes were pinned on Winona. Tessa’s reputation was irreparably tarnished, and her lack of a wolf made her useless to the family. But Winona, bright and accomplished, was their best chance at securing the Sinclair family’s position.
As Tessa exited the Sinclair estate, she spotted the familiar silver Lamborghini parked near the gate.
Landon stepped out, opened the passenger door for her, and shielded her head as she climbed in. The smooth, gentlemanly gesture caught the attention of the Sinclair household.
From her bedroom window, Winona’s eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold. She couldn’t make out the man’s face, but his tailored suit and confident presence were unmistakable.
Who is he? And why is he being so attentive to Tessa?
Winona couldn’t help the bitter jealousy that bubbled inside her. Tessa always seemed to attract what she desired most effortlessly. But who cares? she thought. What kind of decent man would want someone like her?
As the Lamborghini drove off, Winona clenched her fists. “Tessa, you won’t stay lucky for long.”
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