Chapter 307
Chapter 307:
Franklin’s greasy smile vanished, replaced by an ugly sneer. He stood up, snatching his briefcase. “Have it your way. But if those accounts aren’t perfectly reconciled by Friday, I’m freezing every single operating account The Wolfe Hotel has. Good luck running a business with zero cash flow p>
He slammed the door behind him.
I collapsed back into my chair, trembling. A frozen account would destroy Adelina’s hard work before it had even truly begun.
The door clicked open again, and Adelina walked in. Her scent of wild roses and storm was a comforting anchor in the chaotic room.
“Hey, was that the auditor?” she asked, her brow furrowing as she took in my pale face. “Carmella, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost p>
ѕ𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗂еs 𝘺o𝘂 wо𝗇’𝘁 р𝗎𝗍 𝗱𝘰𝘄𝗇 𝘰𝗻 𝘨а𝗹𝘯𝘰𝗏е𝗹𝘴.с𝗼m
I forced a tight smile, quickly flipping a folder over Franklin’s business card. “I’m fine, Lina. Just standard audit stress. Nothing I can’t handle p>
Carmella POV
I tried to slide the folder completely over Director Franklin’s business card, but I wasn’t fast enough. Adelina’s hand darted out, snatching the small piece of cardstock from my desk. Her nose crinkled, catching the lingering, greasy stench of the auditor’s cheap cologne and foul intentions.
“Lina, it’s nothing,” I started, my heart hammering against my ribs.
She didn’t listen. Her protective instincts—the fierce, undeniable aura of a future Luna—flared to life. She ripped the card in half, then into quarters, tossing the pieces into my metal trash can with a look of absolute disgust. “If that man is harassing you, Carmella, Kain’s legal team can make him disappear from the face of the earth. One word, and he’s gone p>
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t drag Adelina into a dirty extortion scandal, not when her hotel was just getting off the ground. She had fought too hard for this. “It’s just standard audit stress,” I lied, forcing a reassuring smile and burying the phantom silver pain deep in my chest. “He’s a jerk, but I can handle it p>
Before she could push further, her cell phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, her fierce expression softening instantly. “It’s Jaxon p>
She answered, putting it on speaker. “Hey, little wolf p>
A wet, trembling sniffle echoed from the speaker. “Auntie Lina?” Jaxon’s voice cracked, thick with tears. “My school play is on Saturday. Everyone else has a mom or a Luna to clap for them. I’m the only pup who doesn’t have anyone p>
My heart shattered. The sheer, devastating sorrow of a motherless pup bypassed every logical defense I had built. I looked at the mountain of IRS documents on my desk, then at the phone.
Adelina wordlessly handed the device to me, her eyes softening with sympathy.
“Jaxon, sweetheart,” I murmured, my voice thick with a maternal ache I didn’t fully understand. “Don’t cry. I’ll come. I’ll be right in the front row cheering for you p>
“Really?” he sniffled.
“I promise p>
There was a rustle of fabric on the other end. When the next voice spoke, the air in my office seemed to drop ten degrees. It was a deep, resonant baritone that vibrated with absolute, undeniable Lycan authority.
“My private driver will collect you at eight on Saturday morning, Ms. Golden p>
Grant Blackwell.
“Wait, Senator, I can drive my own p>