Chapter 0137


    Karl


    As I pull Gianna into the dimly lit study, the atmosphere is filled with a tension that’s been brewing for


    weeks now, maybe even longer. The door clicks shut behind us, sealing us off from the guests, the


    judgment, and the murmurs.


    For a moment, we are suspended in a bubble of silence, and I finally address what’s been gnawing at


    me.


    “A pathetic housemaid?” I ask.


    Gianna shoots me a quizzical look, but I can see the gears turning in her head. She’s trying not to


    disy emotion, which is just a dead giveaway. “A… what?” she asks, taking a step back.


    I take another step toward her, closing the gap once again. “Don’t y dumb,” I growl. “Is that really


    what you called her?”


    “Called who?” Gianna’s voice begins to rise ever so slightly.


    “Abby, of course,” I say, folding my arms across my chest.


    For a few moments, Gianna is silent. Then, mustering a tense smile, she cocks her head to the side.


    “I’m sorry, Karl, but I have no clue what you’re talking about.”


    I feel exasperated. Here I am, caught between my so-called ‘loyal’ secretary and the woman who I


    want to win back. In the back of my mind, I can feel my wolf, urging me to go with my gut and take


    Abby’s side.


    “Gianna, what exactly is your issue with Abby?” The question spills out of my mouth before I can stop


    it, like a tidal wave of annoyance and anger.


    She avoids eye contact, feigning a look of innocence that I know is far from the truth. “Issue? Karl, I


    have no idea what you’re talking about. You must be mistaken.”


    I lock my gaze onto hers, narrowing my eyes. “Don’t lie, Gianna. It doesn’t suit you. Do you honestly


    think I didn’t notice your little performance tonight? Trying to take her seat? Making faces? Refusing to


    touch the food?”


    She meets my gaze for a moment, her eyes twinkling with a hint of defiance before looking away. “I


    don’t have a ‘problem’ with Abby. I’m simply cautious, that’s all. Isn’t that what you pay me for? To be


    vignt for you?”


    My arms fold across my chest. “Vignt? Is that what you call it? It seems more like you’re just


    indignant and petty.”


    She tilts her head, allowing a slight smirk to cross her face. “Indignant is a strong word.”


    “Perhaps, but it’s urate,” I growl. “You’ve been throwing shade at Abby all evening, and I can’t help


    but wonder why. Abby has been nothing but polite and courteous, yet you treat her like she’s beneath


    you. Why is that?”


    Gianna hesitates for a moment, her eyes darting away from mine as though she’s searching for a way


    out of this conversation. “Well, can you me me?” she finally blurts out. “She must be hiding


    something. No one is that perfect.”


    I step closer, my Alpha aura amplifying, letting her know that her half-baked excuses won’t work with


    me. “That’s a dangerous assumption to make, Gianna. Now, be honest with me: What’s really going


    on?”


    Gianna shifts her weight ufortably, and I can almost hear the cogs in her mind whirring as she


    decides how much to reveal. Finally, she relents, sighing in a defeated manner. “Alright, fine. I don’t


    want you getting back together with her, okay? Is that what you want to hear?”


    The admission throws me off guard, and for a moment, I’m speechless. “Why? What could you possibly


    have against that?”


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    She crosses her arms, matching my stance. “Karl, let’s be real. Abby was a part of your past. A past


    filled withplications and drama. I just think you can do better. Much better.”


    An incredulousugh escapes my lips. “Better? And since when did my personal life be your


    concern?”


    Her voice lowers, almost to a whisper. “Look, I’ve worked closely with you for years, Karl. I care about


    the wellbeing of this pack, and by extension, you. She is just a wrench being thrown into your


    livelihood.”