The forest receded from the rearview mirror as the gentle morning breeze flowed in through the wide-open car windows. Alisa’s long hair fluttered and danced in the wind as if she were a free-spirited bird in the woods. She was ecstatic.
She turned and grabbed Maggie’s wrist, her expression ecstatic. “Maggie, this is like a dream! We’re actually sitting in this expensive luxury car! It’s incredible!”
Maggie thought back to the first time she rode in Aldrich’s car, when her life was in ruins, having experienced betrayal from her boyfriend and her fake friend. She was struggling to make ends meet, working three jobs a day, and the weight of her installment loans was suffocating. She’d even accidentally spilled soup on a customer, and when he demanded that she apologize in a demeaning manner, she had resisted. Eventually, she ended up in a terrible state and was invited into Charlie’s car, then driven to meet Aldrich.
Back then, she had been very cautious, afraid that the dirt on her body might stain the luxurious car.
Maggie smiled and said, “Alisa, this is no dream. Things will only get better from now on.”
Alisa nodded happily and began asking Maggie about Barrett Manor. Maggie answered her questions one by one.
In the passenger seat, Aldrich, now sporting an even colder expression, and the silver wolf within him roared with anger.
Aldrich glanced at the excited Alisa in the rearview mirror and muttered, “She’s truly disgusting.”
“Indeed, the one holding Maggie’s hand should be me,” Aldrich replied.
“Why did you bring this woman with impure intentions to Barrett Manor?”
“When she’s in our sight, it’s safer than having Alisa meet Maggie outside.”
“Annoying! Wouldn’t it be simpler to deal with her directly?”
“Silver wolf!”
Aldrich growled, “Where’s your reason when it comes to Maggie? You’re becoming more and more like a regressive beast!”
The silver wolf realized the extremism in its thoughts and restlessly sharpened its claws. “She influences our relationship with Maggie. Dare you say you’re not jealous?”
“Joke. I won’t let that day come.”
Aldrich’s cold snort disrupted the cheerful conversation between Maggie and Alisa. Maggie asked him, “Is it not allowed?”
Although he was arguing with the silver wolf inside him, he was multitasking, keeping a close eye on Maggie and Alisa’s conversation. He knew that Alisa had just complained about Barrett Manor being a bit far from the city, expressing concerns about the inconvenience of getting to work at the hospital. Maggie suggested that they could get her a commuter car.
Aldrich nodded and maintained his polite yet distant demeanor. “Of course, Alisa, you can choose any vehicle in the garage.”
“Mr. Barrett, you’re truly considerate!” Alisa exclaimed.
Aldrich continued to smile politely, and Maggie stared at him suspiciously. Alisa suppressed her smile and asked, “Maggie, this won’t be a problem, will it?”
“Of course not,” Maggie said, taking her gaze away from Aldrich. She couldn’t help but feel that Aldrich was not very happy, perhaps even a little annoyed.
The car gradually pulled into Barrett Manor, and Alisa’s amazement continued to grow. She couldn’t stop showering the place with compliments. The imposing building stood in front of them, and the security personnel stood respectfully, welcoming the return of the masters.
As they drove along the tree-lined avenue, the staff on the lawn waved enthusiastically at Maggie in the car. Maggie offered a friendly smile, but she couldn’t help noticing that Barrett was not with her, and instead, there was a strange woman by her side. Everyone at Barrett Manor bent over in a warm gesture to welcome Alisa.
“Maggie, I’ve never been treated so well in my life! This place is like heaven!” Alisa exclaimed, excitedly waving to the staff.
After getting out of the car, Thomas, the butler, Elizabeth, and others were waiting at the entrance. They expressed their warm welcome.
When they entered the living room, Alisa was left speechless. She carefully touched the soft sofa, which felt a world away from their financial situation. Maggie smiled and took Alisa’s hand, introducing her to everyone.
“This is my sister, Alisa, and she will be staying with me at Barrett Manor for some time. Thomas, would you be so kind as to arrange a room for her?”
Thomas glanced discreetly at Aldrich, who nodded subtly. Thomas smiled and said, “Of course. Respected Alisa, you appear to be in need of a change of clothes. Please follow me.”
Alisa lowered her head, realizing that she was still wearing a hospital gown. Her clothes were torn in multiple places from hiding in the Moonlit Forest while evading rogue werewolves. This created a stark contrast with the luxury and brightness of Barrett Manor. In an instant, she felt like an ugly duckling being awkwardly stared at by others.
Maggie was concerned that Alisa might feel uncomfortable. She looked at Elizabeth, who was an understanding young woman, and Elizabeth led Alisa outside, saying, “Alisa, please allow me to help you choose some clothes. You look tall and slim. I’m sure you’ll look stunning in a new outfit!”
Alisa anxiously held Maggie’s hand. “Maggie, can you come with me?”
Maggie shifted slightly, but suddenly felt her back pressed against a hot chest, and strong arms pulled her back. Aldrich’s deep voice echoed in her ear. “Alisa, Maggie needs to rest. At Barrett Manor, you will be well taken care of.”
It was a striking scene. The tall Aldrich enveloped Maggie from behind, his powerful arms showing their well-defined muscles. Startled, Maggie tilted her head back, and Aldrich naturally kissed her red lips before looking coldly at Alisa, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
Aldrich must be the most handsome man in the world!
Alisa’s heart raced with excitement. Blushing, she listened to Thomas and Elizabeth’s guidance as they walked out. She couldn’t help but replay that vivid image over and over in her mind.
She pressed down her wildly pounding heart, a mixture of jealousy, longing, self-doubt, and scheming converging at this moment.
She emulated Maggie’s graceful and composed demeanor as she smiled at Elizabeth, saying, “Your name is Elizabeth, right? I’m Alisa. I’ll be relying on you a lot in the days to come.”
After Alisa and the others had left, the servants stood discreetly just outside the living room, giving the master and mistress some privacy.
Blushing, Maggie pushed Aldrich away. “Why did you suddenly kiss me, especially in front of Alisa?”
“I don’t like her,” Aldrich’s voice sounded somewhat aggrieved.
“I know,” Maggie replied.
Aldrich was surprised. “You know? I thought I was doing a good job concealing it. How did you notice?”
“See, this is the real you, not hiding or pretending, willing to express anything,” Maggie touched his face. “But Aldrich, Alisa is my sister. For over twenty years, she’s been with me through more than seven thousand days and nights. We’ve lived in dumps together and faced off against thugs. She’s my family.”
“I understand, but, Maggie, people change…” Aldrich couldn’t bear to continue, fearing that if Maggie learned that her trusted sister had ulterior motives, she would be plunged into despair.
Maggie stood on her tiptoes, using her fingers to touch Aldrich’s lips. “People do change, and Alisa will change too, but to me, she’ll always be my sister who supports, cares, and loves me, and I am the same.”
Aldrich, who had been lacking in this kind of purity and goodness, was deeply moved by Maggie’s emotions. He cherished it, not wanting to let anything harm or damage Maggie’s innocence.
He swallowed the words of warning at the corner of his mouth, eager to ask, “When is it my turn?”
“Turn for what?” Maggie asked.
Aldrich took her hand and placed it over her heart. “When will you let me into here? Will you treat me the way you treat Alisa?”
Maggie blushed. “You are my family too, and you are the father of the wolf cubs. That can’t change.”
The brightness in Aldrich’s eyes slowly dimmed. What he wanted was Maggie’s complete and unconditional love.
Maggie looked at the silent Aldrich, not understanding why he seemed to exude a sense of sadness. She was about to ask when Thomas’s voice interrupted them. “Master, there seems to be a problem with Alisa. They need you to make a decision.”