Alpha, Are You Blind?

Chapter 5

Jennifer's POV

“Your Highness, I am back. The industry is actually running quite well. We stopped the strike and now the workers are all going back to work. It was all about salary issues. No need not fret,”Lucas announced the achievement he had made, with obvious pride in his voice.

Ryan reached for a nearby napkin to dab at his mouth and said, “Thank you Lucas. You’ve spared me from a lengthy debate with Alpha Ken and others. I truly appreciate your efforts.“

Lucas nodded in a humble manner. “I was doing my job,”he replied softly.

“Have you dined? Would you care to join us for lunch?”Ryan offered graciously，gesturing Lucas to sit beside him.

“I have already eaten. I’d prefer to go back to my room and take a shower, then have some rest.“

“Sure. Suit yourself.“

As Lucas turned to leave, he paused by me and whispered, “Why not treat yourself to a bottle of perfume this afternoon at the mall? A little enhancement wouldn’t hurt your current scent.“

Perplexed by his sudden suggestion, I didn’t know what to say. “I may not need that，”I muttered.

However, Lucas insisted, “Just indulge yourself.”

“But…”

“I agree with Lucas，”Ryan said coldly. “You should go to the mall, relax a little bit. And you certainly deserve a bottle of perfume to wash off your tiredness. ”

“If you say so, Your Highness,”I said, bowing my head.

After Lucas left, a silent understanding passed between Ryan and me. I gently placed my hand on Ryan’s arm, tapping him gently.

“You alright？”He asked.

I pressed my lips into a line, before saying，“I will make sure everything is alright. ”

“How reliable!”Ryan exclaimed. “Now you're playing hero to make me fall in love with you，Knight Jennifer.”

“Nonsense. I am just being myself, Princess Ryan.”I rolled my eyes.

“Don't you call me that! ”Ryan roared, his face reddening with anger and shyness.

“Well, you started it，Your Highness.”I smirked. “If you don't want to embarrass yourself, you shouldn't flirt with me in the first place.”

Later that day, the chauffeur escorted me to the bustling city center mall. Rows of opulent shops displayed an array of fragrances—floral, fruity, cedar, lemongrass—all beckoning with their allure.

In the beginning, I was captivated by the scents, I soon found myself overwhelmed, unable to discern one fragrance from another. A helpful shop assistant handed me coffee beans, claiming they would revive my olfactory senses. Just as I was about to take a whiff, a tap on my shoulder startled me. I turned my head only to see my father and stepmother.

“Dad? Are you both here shopping?”I asked, my mind slowly piecing together why Lucas insisted me go to the mall.

My stepmother sneered, “What a surprise to stumble upon you here. Shouldn’t you be attending to the prince? Why are you slacking off here?“

“The prince was aware of my shopping,”I retorted.

She stared at me for a moment and said. “Oh, you’ve got yourself a lovely new attire! ”. Her gaze returned to my face and her tone was full of resentment. “Seems like you’re adapting well to your new environment, you little wench.”

Returning the coffee beans to the clerk, I faced her squarely. “But for the mistake Justin made, I would not…” Before I could finish, her hand met my cheek in a stinging slap.

“Watch your tone when speaking to me， you little cunt！”She bellowed.

Accustomed to such sudden outbursts, I felt a numbness rather than pain, despite knowing I should feel hurt.

Dad cleared his throat and said, “We need to have a talk.”

“Alright.”

Seated at a nearby coffee shop, I caught sight of my swollen reflection in the liquid surface. Not till then did I realise how hard my stepmother had just slapped me.

Not feeling the least bit guilty about her handiwork, she asked, “Does His Highness hold affection for you?”

“His feelings are his own. ” I countered. “How am I supposed to know？”

My stepmother chuckled derisively, “Oh, how conceited you are! You little slut. Do not think sitting on Ryan’s lap makes you significant. Men are fickle creatures. He will tire of you eventually.”

“In your lack of faith in men, are you not afraid my father might do the same to you?”

My stepmother turned pale at my words. She raised her hand once more, aiming to strike me, but this time my father intervened.

“Do not provoke your stepmother, Jennifer. You will return to the pack as soon as Prince Ryan regains his sight,” he cautioned. “Think about what life you would live by then.”

He then instructed with a commanding tone, “Go to Ryan’s study and fetch something for me.”

With that he showed me a picture—a meticulously crafted dark green box, elongated and vertically structured. Furrowing my brow, I glanced at my father, noticing a greedy and menacing gleam in his eyes.

“Why do you need this?” I questioned sceptically.

“It is not your concern. Just retrieve it for me,” my father ordered.

“The palace teems with guards and servants. This is too risky. What if I am caught?” I asked.

“Then be careful and not to get caught.” my father countered. “Didn’t you want your mother’s house? I shall give you that house as a gift if you procure the box for me.”

I was so sickened by his condescending manners. The house had been my mother’s legacy, which was unjustly taken from me. Therefore, it was not a gift. It was merely returning what rightfully belonged to me.

“Well?” he prompted.

Before I could respond, the phone in my pocket buzzed, interrupting our conversation. It was Ryan on the line. He asked, “Why is it taking so long to buy a perfume?“

“I... I met my father at the coffee shop, and we have a chat.” I explained hesitantly.

Ryan scoffed mockingly, “A chat on what? His son failed to eliminate me, and now he’s trying to talk his daughter into finishing the job?”

My father was very nervous. He feigned composure while sipping his coffee, I shot him a glance and said, “We’re merely talking about family issues. Sorry Your Highness. I will be back soon.”

As Ryan sneered and ended the call, my father set down his cup. “Get the box as soon as you can and call me when you get a chance to get out,” he instructed before turning to the Omega waitress and said. “My daughter will settle the bill.”With that he rose and left with my stepmother.

The Omega waitress watched them leave, and gave me a pitiful look. I forced a smile and paid her the bill. But when I tried to give her some tips, she shook her head and asked me to keep it to myself. She then left to attend other tables.

I gaze at the coffee cups on the table, and tears started welling up in my eyes.

My father only ordered two. A cup of iced Americano for himself and a cup of Macchiato for my stepmother.

What about me? He had never truly seen me, nor did he ever consider my feelings.

Not even for a single day.