CHAPTER 15
1334 Words
“Shall we leave, Jade?”
“Not yet. They’ll think I’m being rude, and besides, Dad sent me here to familiarize myself with some of his business friends. We can’t leave just yet.”
Dad had been invited to a banquet hosted by one of his associates, but he had made an excuse and sent me in his place. Seth accompanied me as my bodyguard and personal assistant. After the attack a few weeks ago, Dad refused to let me go anywhere alone.
Unfortunately, the banquet was painfully boring.
We had been there for less than an hour, yet it already felt like an eternity. Seth noticed my growing impatience and leaned closer.
“Can we leave now?”
I sighed. “Not yet. It would be rude to leave so soon.”
For the sake of my father and our company, we stayed.
“Hello, Miss White.”
I turned around and immediately smiled.
“Uncle Jiang! Long time no see.”
I wrapped my arms around him in a brief hug. Uncle Jiang had been one of Dad’s closest friends for as long as I could remember. If Uncle Max didn't exist, I would have called him Dad’s best friend.
“Long time no see, Jade,” he chuckled. “How have you been? I haven't seen you in years.”
“I’m doing great, Uncle Jiang. As you can see, I can even manage the company now.”
“You're doing wonderfully, Princess Jade. In fact, you're running it better than that old man Augustus.”
I laughed.
“Thank you. By the way, how is Ruonan? We haven't seen each other in years.”
“She’s doing well. She's currently in China with her mother.”
“Please send her my regards. Tell her I miss her.”
“I will.”
As he prepared to leave, Uncle Jiang lifted his wine glass in a toast.
Before I could reach for mine, Seth stepped forward and took it instead.
“I apologize, sir, but Miss Jade isn't feeling well. I'll drink this on her behalf. I hope you won't be offended.”
Uncle Jiang smiled knowingly and clinked his glass against Seth’s.
“Not at all.”
The two men drank.
“Your secretary?” Uncle Jiang asked.
I shook my head.
“He’s my PA. Calling him a secretary would be underselling him.”
“A fine young man,” Uncle Jiang said approvingly. “Besides you, he seems to be the most reliable person here.”
“Thank you, sir,” Seth replied with a slight bow.
Soon after, Uncle Jiang left to greet other guests.
The evening dragged on. I forced myself through countless conversations with business partners and family friends, maintaining a smile that grew more painful by the minute.
If Seth hadn't been there, I would have been completely drunk. Every time someone offered me a drink, he accepted it instead.
Considering he was a werewolf, his alcohol tolerance was impressive—but even he was beginning to look overwhelmed.
Eventually, the banquet neared its end. Seeking relief from the crowded hall, Seth and I slipped outside into the garden.
The night air was cool and refreshing.
We sat beneath the stars in comfortable silence, enjoying the moonlight.
After several minutes, Seth finally spoke.
“Who was Uncle Jiang? You seemed much more comfortable with him than everyone else.”
I smiled.
“He’s practically family. I grew up with his daughter, Ruonan.”
“The one he mentioned?”
“Yes.”
“Is she a werewolf too?”
I laughed.
“No. Uncle Jiang is human. But he knows about us.”
Seth's eyebrows rose.
“He knows?”
“Yeah. He found out years ago and never treated us differently.”
“When did he find out?”
“When I was still in elementary school. He's known for a very long time.”
“Oh.”
There was a strange note in Seth’s voice.
I glanced at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He quickly looked away. “Let's go back inside. The banquet is ending, and you should say your goodbyes.”
We returned to the hall.
After finding Uncle Jiang, I informed him that I was leaving. He offered me one final drink.
This time, I accepted it myself.
Seth tried to object, but after spending the entire night drinking on my behalf, he had no room to argue.
A few more guests stopped me before I could leave, and by the time we finally exited the venue, both Seth and I were exhausted.
Since Seth had consumed enough alcohol to get himself arrested, I called my driver.
Ten minutes later, Lance arrived.
The ride home was quiet.
When we reached the mansion, I turned to Seth.
“You’re staying here tonight.”
His eyes widened.
“I’m afraid I can't, Jade. I'll return to my apartment.”
“No.”
“After we drop you off, Lance can drive me back.”
“And leave my driver alone on the road this late at night?” I crossed my arms. “You're an Alpha werewolf, but Lance is an Omega. What if he gets attacked?”
“I'll take a taxi.”
“Stop being stubborn.”
“Jade—”
“You are staying at my house tonight. That's an order from your boss.”
Before he could argue further, Lance interrupted.
“We're here, ma'am.”
We stepped out of the car.
Seth remained standing outside while I headed toward the entrance.
“What are you doing?” I demanded. “Come inside.”
“I'll wait until you're safely in the house, then I'll leave.”
Stubborn wolf.
I ordered Lance not to give him a ride, but Seth refused to budge.
We argued until the front door opened.
“What's all the noise, Princess?”
“Dad!”
I ran to him and grabbed his arm.
“Seth refuses to stay the night. It's late, he's been drinking for me all evening, and he still wants to go home. Please talk some sense into him.”
Dad chuckled.
“I'll handle it, my dear. You go inside.”
“Make him stay.”
“I'll do my best.”
Satisfied, I finally headed toward the house.
Then everything changed.
A sudden wave of dizziness hit me.
My steps faltered.
Pain exploded throughout my body.
It felt as though every bone was being pulled apart and every nerve set on fire. My skin burned from the inside out. My head throbbed violently.
I couldn't breathe.
My vision blurred.
It felt as if invisible hands were wrapped around my throat.
I collapsed.
Voices erupted around me.
I heard Dad shouting for guards.
Then Seth.
“JADE!”
Footsteps thundered across the ground.
Strong arms caught me.
Everything hurt.
My body felt numb and impossibly weak.
As darkness swallowed my vision, I recognized Seth’s scent and the steady beat of his heart.
He was carrying me.
“Stay with me, Jade,” he pleaded.
His voice trembled.
“Don't close your eyes. Stay with me, please...”
Then there was silence.
---
When consciousness finally returned, it felt as though I had slept for an eternity.
My body was still weak, but at least I could feel it again.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
I was in my bedroom.
A single lamp illuminated the darkness.
For a moment, I couldn't remember what had happened.
Then the door opened.
Mom entered carrying a basin and a towel.
She set them beside the bed before walking to the curtains.
Outside, darkness was slowly surrendering to dawn. Golden streaks of sunlight stretched across the horizon.
Mom turned around.
The moment she saw my open eyes, she froze.
Tears instantly filled them.
For several seconds she simply stared.
Then her hands flew to her mouth.
“Princess...” she whispered.
A sob escaped her lips.
“You’re awake.”
- Writer
