The petite, exquisite dining table weaved its way through the garden, and there, Elizabeth found Maggie.
“Madam, would the wolf pups like some delicious desserts? Believe me, these sweets are imbued with Mr. Barret’s affection and even sweeter than the nectar from these dazzling flowers,” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Grace also chimed in with a smile, “See, he loves you.”
“He has a purpose,” Maggie replied.
“To make you fall in love with him?” Grace teased.
Maggie blushed. “I’ll guard my heart.”
“No need to be so cautious, Maggie. Go ahead and love boldly. I just know Aldrich has already fallen, this tough silver wolf, who succumbed to such an elusive woman as you.”
Maggie enjoyed her dessert, and Elizabeth offered a covered dish to Grace, but she declined.
“Can you please cover it back up?” Grace asked.
“Of course,” Elizabeth said, feeling slightly remiss for forgetting that the former lady of the house didn’t like desserts.
Maggie remembered Grace’s recent changes and decided to have the dessert taken away.
“I’m sorry; I forgot.”
“That’s alright. I’m trying to overcome these changes. Look, I’m doing quite well, don’t you think?” Grace replied.
“Grace, you’ve always been so strong.”
“Of course.”
Maggie recalled a woman they encountered during an adventure in the Moonlight Forest related to an Energy Bead.
“Charlie and Jolie found a mysterious woman with an Energy Bead. She has many important secrets. Aldrich wants to ask the Elder during the interview. And this woman, just like you, Grace, is…”
At that moment, Grace received a telepathic message from Ethan: “Grace, the show is about to begin. Looking forward to your performance!”
“No!” She couldn’t let Maggie continue.
Grace’s exclamation successfully halted Maggie’s story. She quickly grabbed Maggie’s hand. “I’m feeling unwell.”
“You should go back to your room,” Maggie said, preparing to accompany Grace.
However, Grace shook her head. Ethan wouldn’t lie about this. The Elders must have arrived at Barrett Manor.
If she and Maggie returned together, they would run into the Elders, the interview team, and the live broadcast team head-on. The live broadcast would unfold exactly as Ethan hoped!
“I can’t go with you…” Grace stepped back, thinking about where she could hide.
On the garden path, Elizabeth came running, and her butterfly bow almost seemed to take flight.
“Madam! The interview team is here, and Mr. Barret is with the Elder on their way!” Elizabeth panted.
Maggie nearly stumbled. “Wasn’t it scheduled for the afternoon?”
“The interview started suddenly!”
Elizabeth anxiously looked at Grace, struggling to convey Thomas’ command: “Get Grace out of here quickly!” She just couldn’t bring herself to say it. When Elizabeth had first arrived at Barrett Manor, she was among the first group of maids. She had personally taken care of Grace, and it was Grace who encouraged her to be confident and help her overcome the imposing Aldrich. Grace was her mentor and friend, and she couldn’t expel her!
Grace immediately understood Elizabeth’s dilemma. In this critical moment, she transformed into a wolf and swiftly fled into the dense woods behind the garden.
All of this happened in under a minute, and Maggie hadn’t even had a chance to grasp why Grace had left when she was faced with a large group of people approaching her.
The crowd was led by an elderly man who walked with vitality despite his age. He had a head of white hair and a face covered in wrinkles, but his spirit was high, his eyes sharp, and he stood tall.
The interview team had only two young werewolves holding smart notebooks, one male and one female, whom Maggie had seen in the newspapers. They were a pair of award-winning human hosts who, unexpectedly, were also werewolves.
The live broadcast team wasn’t as elaborate as Maggie had imagined, with heavy machinery and multiple camera angles. They had just one tall werewolf, even taller than Aldrich, carrying an intelligent camera sphere on his shoulder. It could capture 360-degree shots of everything inside Barrett Manor, automatically zooming in on specific individuals.
Maggie discovered all these marvels one by one, but the most astonishing revelation was that Aldrich was wearing a pink apron. She was on the verge of screaming. How could he greet the Elders in this attire?
Aldrich, in his apron, didn’t seem at all embarrassed. He confidently introduced Maggie to everyone. “This is the lady of Barrett Manor, my partner, Maggie Nelson.”
The Elder kindly extended his hand to Maggie. “My dear child, may Moon Goddess bless you with her greatest gifts.”
“Thank you,” Maggie thought, “Of course, I am Moon Goddess’s daughter.”
The Elder gently sniffed Maggie’s hand, detecting Aldrich Barret’s scent, the fragrance of sweets and flowers, and a faintly endearing scent. He couldn’t help but feel inclined to protect this young one.
The female host interjected, “It seems our sudden intrusion has indeed brought many surprises. We not only got to witness the typically aloof Mr. Barret’s gentle and adorable side, but also truly understand the lady’s pregnancy with twins!”
Thomas began narrating the history of Barrett Manor, and all eyes were fixed on him. Maggie discreetly tugged on Aldrich’s sleeve, and in an instant, her hand was enveloped by warm, dry, large hands.
“Don’t fuss,” Aldrich murmured.
Smelling the sweet fragrance on Aldrich and realizing that he had personally made the desserts, Maggie understood. She whispered, “What a shame.”
Aldrich slightly covered the broadcasting sphere and asked, “Not comfortable with this?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you wearing an apron, and I have to share it with so many people!”
“The entire BlueMoon Pack will see it!”
“Should I congratulate you?”
“Would you give me a kiss? It might alleviate some of my discomfort.”
“I thought you were quite composed!”
“That was an act. So, will you kiss me?”
“I’ll have to think about it, but for now, I owe you one…”
Aldrich lifted Maggie’s chin, preparing to kiss her, but suddenly felt something was amiss.
Silence.
All eyes on them.
The entire room’s attention focused on them. They both glanced around, and every wolf had their eyes fixed on them. The female host’s eyes formed a crescent moon shape as she said, “Mr. Barret and Mrs. Barret, you haven’t forgotten, have you? You are the subjects of this interview. The live broadcast naturally follows you!”
Maggie blushed. “So, they’ve seen everything?”
The Elder chuckled. “Of course, our wolf technology is very advanced. The picture is ultra-high-definition.”
“Since… when?”
The cameraman replied, “There has been a small window focused on you the whole time, capturing with precision. It never fails. Even your changes in breathing have been recorded.”
Maggie’s face turned bright red. All her whispered words had been broadcast to everyone! And to make matters worse, Aldrich, by her side, didn’t even warn her. He must have done it on purpose!
Aldrich looked innocent and smiled. “So… should we kiss?”
The Elder let out a long-lost laugh. “I enjoy watching young people in love!”
The crowd joined in, and Barrett Manor filled with laughter and joy.
Meanwhile, on the road leading to Barrett Manor, a sports car was racing back. Inside, Alisa was elegantly dressed, and as she thought about the upcoming drama, her fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the steering wheel.