"You don't believe me?" Lillian pouted.
"It's not that I don't believe you. They look like models," Miles replied, his eyes fixed on the group.
"It's true – beauty is in our blood," Tiara said. Everyone looked at her, signaling her to shut up.
Lillian linked her elbow with Miles's and smiled. "Can you believe that's what your sister said when she came here? Trust me, it's just a coincidence that all the bodyguards I hired look like models."
"I want them to prove it," Miles insisted.
"If you watched the news properly, you would have seen me shielding her from the reporters. Tony drove us here," Blaine said.
Miles raised his eyebrows. "Who are the other guys, then?"
"They're bodyguards who come only when I need them. But these two – Tony and Blaine – are my best."
"Okay, I believe you… but my eyes are on you." Miles glanced at Blaine and the others, then at Lillian's phone. She was reading hate comments.
"Don't bother about those. I believe you," Miles said.
Diana made a vomiting sound.
"I want to be alone for now," Lillian said.
Miles signaled everyone to leave. They filed out, and Lillian was left alone.
When they were gone, she laughed and sat down. "Since when did I care about rumors? Blaine, I know you can hear me. Come back without letting Miles know."
Blaine smiled. He sat in his car and watched the others leave. After they were gone, he stepped out and re‑entered the castle. Lillian was coming from the library.
"Are you okay?" Blaine asked.
Lillian walked closer to him. "What do you perceive from me?"
"Anger. Just anger. It's starting to reduce now."
Lillian walked to the stairs and stopped. "Do you know why it's reducing?"
"No."
"I don't know either." She went to her room. Blaine watched her, confused, then sat on the couch and pulled out his phone.
Moments later, Lillian came downstairs in an expensive flowered gown, a dark sunshade, and a dark Y2K underarm bag.
"Let's go," she said.
Blaine stared, slightly shocked. "Where are we going, and why are you dressed like that?"
"I'm going to meet Hazel. I have nothing else to do." She walked toward the door.
Blaine stood and opened the door for her. "What are you going to do when you meet her?"
"I'm going to do what I do best – make her feel useless and even angrier." Lillian smiled.
Blaine shook his head, smiling. "You love annoying people, don't you?"
"Annoying isn't the word. It's frustrating. I love frustrating foes." Lillian got into the car. Blaine opened the gate, and they drove off.
---
Hazel and Paul were walking out of the company lobby when they saw Lillian and Blaine approaching. Lillian walked as if showing off her model skills, while Blaine wore a cold, professional face. Hazel rolled her eyes and stopped. Paul stopped beside her.
Everyone in the lobby noticed. Workers paused to see what Lillian was doing at Plum Publishing House.
Lillian and Blaine stopped an inch from Hazel and Paul.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" Hazel asked.
"Showing you that your plan isn't going to work," Lillian said.
"It's unlike you to come here just to say that. I guess sociopaths change."
"You've known me long enough to know what I'm capable of. I'm disappointed you pulled this childish trick." Lillian's faint smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I know you're in shock, but you're hiding it. Keep pretending until the police come for you. Then your career will be under my feet."
Lillian burst out laughing like a psycho. "In shock? Me? Why? Because my murderous father suddenly appeared and blamed me for what he did?" Her laugh faded. "You're funny if you think I'm hurt. If I decided to destroy your career, it would be done in three days."
Hazel scoffed.
Lillian touched Hazel's cheek. "You're scared of what I can do, because you know I'm capable – no matter the age gap. I'm good at gaining people's pity. But know this: they like you, Hazel. They really do." She frowned and dropped her hand. "But they love me. They really do."
Hazel's expression went cold.
"No, no, no. Don't do that. Smile. People are watching." Lillian smirked and walked away.
---
At the car, Blaine stopped Lillian with a proud smile. "Well done. Confidence overload." He gently brushed her hair. "But be careful around her. Her P.A. is a were‑panther, which means she's probably a vampire."
"She can't do anything to me in public. Don't worry." Lillian got in. Blaine drove off.
---
No chaos happened during the day. But when night came, a piercing sound echoed through the forest. Dozens of dead bodies lay scattered. Aiden stared at them with pleasure. Chase examined his blood‑stained claws as if craving more. Alan and Caden paced, deep in thought.
Alan stopped. "All these werewolves keep denying they know where Blaine is. He's an Alpha. Is it possible for Betas not to know him?"
"It just proves that some werewolves are loyal to each other," Caden replied.
"Then how do we find him?"
"We find out where Lillian lives. Maybe Blaine – or one of his betas – will be there."
"How do we find Lillian?" Chase asked.
They all sighed.
"Let's watch and read everything about her. Maybe her location will be disclosed," Aiden suggested.
"Fine." Alan looked toward a nearby tree. "You hiding behind there – tell Blaine we're looking for him. If he doesn't want more blood shed, he should show himself."
They left together.
The werewolf behind the tree shifted into his wolf form and ran.
---
He arrived at Gandulf's mansion. Gandulf and Nimona had just returned from a dinner date. Gandulf helped Nimona out of the limousine when the wolf climbed over the wall and sprinted toward them in human form.
"Whoa!" Gandulf stepped back. Nimona moved behind him. "Oh, it's you."
The man gasped for breath. "They're werewolves – four of them – killers. They're killing every werewolf they find because they're looking for Blaine."
"What? How sure are you?" Nimona asked.
"I'm the only survivor of Katashi's pack."
Gandulf and Nimona exchanged looks.
"These four are worse than vampires. They'll keep killing until they find Blaine."
Gandulf pulled out his phone and dialed Blaine.
---
In the castle living room, Blaine picked up. "Hello?" He was half‑watching a movie with Lillian.
"There's trouble. Werewolves are on a killing spree – looking for you. Do you know who they are?" Gandulf's voice was urgent.
Blaine's face went pale. Lillian noticed and paused, a piece of popcorn halfway to her mouth.
"Blaine? Are you still there?" Gandulf asked.
Blaine swallowed. His voice came out low and tight. "Gandulf, they're my brothers. And they will destroy everything to find me."
He ended the call and stared at the floor.
Lillian put down the popcorn. "What's wrong? What did your brothers do? Tell me everything you know about them now!"