The Serene Moon and Her Frozen Wolf Lord

Andrew Bennett stood in his lavish office at the pinnacle of a soaring skyscraper in North York City, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling cityscape below. The vibrant, bustling life outside was a stark contrast to his office's stark, impersonal ambiance. As the Alpha of the most influential werewolf family in the city, Andrew commanded an extensive and formidable empire. The Bennett family's business empire was vast, encompassing legitimate sectors such as luxury goods and real estate development and delving deeply into sanitized underworld activities. Their operations included an elaborate and discreet s*x industry, masked by layers of financial sophistication and legal obfuscation. Through intricate financial maneuvering and legal protections, the family transformed illicit profits into seemingly legitimate assets. While their businesses appeared glamorous and respectable on the surface, they were deeply rooted in organized crime, solidifying Andrew's grip on power within both the social elite and the criminal underworld of North York City. Andrew's office was a model of modern elegance, decorated with minimalist furnishings and contemporary artworks that spoke to his exceptional taste and high status. The room was a statement of wealth and power, each item chosen to reflect his dominance and control. His assistant, George Bennett, entered quietly, his footsteps muffled on the plush carpet. He placed a thick stack of documents on Andrew's desk, the weight of the papers a tangible representation of the responsibilities and decisions Andrew bore daily. “Sir, Joanna Allen is waiting for you in the reception room downstairs.” Andrew continued to stand by the window, his gaze fixed on the sprawling cityscape. His thoughts seemed to drift far from the immediate concerns of his office. He finally turned and walked over to his desk, where he began to peruse the documents George had brought. The papers were filled with detailed information about Joanna Allen—her basic information, address, occupation, and, most crucially, her financial situation. “You can go now,” he said after a moment, his voice devoid of emotion. “Tell her I’ll be down shortly.” George nodded and left the room. Just as he was about to exit, Andrew’s voice called out again, “Make sure all the necessary arrangements are handled.” The documents provided a thorough overview of Joanna's circumstances. Andrew scanned the pages, noting the staggering amounts of debt and expenditure that seemed to dominate her financial records. His expression grew increasingly tense as he absorbed the magnitude of the numbers before him. The content was startling, and Andrew's mind raced as he contemplated the implications. He glanced out the window once more, his thoughts returning to the daunting challenge that lay ahead. "Some people overestimate their worth, daring to challenge me under this sky," he muttered to himself. In North York, the city was divided into East and West districts, with the East under Andrew's complete control. it was not unusual for Andrew to personally oversee meetings with those who owed money to the Bennett family. These meetings typically involved individuals who had borrowed money in the East District and were unable to repay it or their family members. The West district, on the other hand, was home to smaller, less influential transactions that could not compare to the scale and impact of the East. George waited outside the reception room, holding a thick stack of expenditure records. As Andrew approached, George handed over the documents. “She’s already inside,” he said quietly. Andrew took the documents, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to the reception room. The reception room was stark and uninviting, its atmosphere heavy with tension. Joanna Allen sat at a table, her posture rigid with anxiety. Her hands were clasped tightly together, knuckles white from the pressure. Her face was pale, and her eyes darted nervously as she awaited Andrew’s arrival. Andrew entered the room. He surveyed Joanna with a cool, detached gaze. Her features were delicate, her expression fraught with apprehension. Her eyes, hidden beneath thick lashes, conveyed a mixture of fear and desperation. She was slender and appeared to shrink under the weight of Andrew’s scrutiny as if trying to make herself smaller to escape his piercing gaze. Andrew moved to the table and methodically laid out the long expenditure records in front of Joanna. His demeanor was cold and unyielding, and his voice, though measured, carried an unmistakable authority. " Examine these documents. Are these your brother’s signatures? " Joanna's hands trembled as she reached for the documents, her face flushing with embarrassment as she struggled to manage the length of the papers. In her flustered state, the documents spilled across the floor. She quickly knelt to gather the scattered sheets, her anxiety palpable as she fumbled with the pages. Her hands shook uncontrollably, underscoring her helplessness in the situation. Andrew remained standing, a slight, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. Despite the apparent amusement, his voice remained chillingly indifferent. “Take your time to review them,” he said, his tone devoid of sympathy. Each page was a stark reminder of Joanna’s dire financial predicament, filled with unsettling figures that highlighted her debt. Joanna's eyes widened with fear as she took in the total amounts detailed in the documents. “How… how could it be this much?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with disbelief. Andrew’s voice carried a hint of cold disdain as he shook the documents slightly. “Yeah, how come there's so much? "He scanned down the document, reading out some of the entries line by line, his gaze shifting back and forth between the documents and Joanna’s anxious face. “He practically used this place as his second home.” His smile was devoid of warmth or sympathy. He tossed the documents back onto the table with a dismissive gesture. “What’s your plan to deal with this situation?” Joanna’s hands were still shaking as she picked up the documents, her face growing paler with each passing second. Her voice was subdued, almost desperate. " Mr. Andrew, I ...... only have almost $100,000 in savings on hand to pay some of it off first. " Andrew’s lips curled into a disdainful smile. “What are you talking about？$100,000?” His voice was laced with weary contempt. " That doesn’t even cover the interest. My associates know all about you. You own a flower shop, don’t you? " “Yes…” Joanna responded hesitantly, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “But that’s my… only means of livelihood.” “Let me be clear.” Andrew’s tone was icy, his patience wearing thin. " I didn’t invite you here to discuss your options. Repaying debts is a fundamental obligation. If you lack the money, then use your assets to make up the difference. If that’s still insufficient, then we’ll have to consider alternative forms of repayment. " His words carried a ruthless finality as if he were enunciating an unassailable truth. " You might not fully understand the nature of my business. We’re currently short on omegas, but you’re not one, so that route is closed to you. Go back and prepare the necessary documents. Sell your flower shop. My people will follow up with you regarding the remaining balance. " Andrew, growing increasingly impatient, stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "Mr. Bennett. " Joanna said urgently, reaching out to grasp his arm. Her eyes were filled with desperation. " Cou ...could you give me a little more time? I can try to.... " Andrew’s face showed a fleeting sign of irritation. “Time isn’t the issue; it’s your resolve that matters.” He said coldly. “Repaying your debt is your responsibility. Finding a solution is something you must confront. The most effective course of action right now is to sell your flower shop. It’s in our mutual best interest.” Joanna shook her head, her blue eyes pleading. " No, I still have friends. I can borrow from them..." Andrew was unmoved, his grip on her chin firm. " From what I understand, your parents are long deceased, and Alex has a notorious reputation. No one will lend you money. " He pulled her face closer, his expression hardening. "Don't try to deceive me. Give me a clear answer on repayment within three days." As he spoke, Joanna’s scent—a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance—wafted into Andrew’s nostrils, causing a brief moment of disorientation. Without further thought, he pushed her towards the sofa. Joanna's head struck the sofa, and she bit her lip to suppress a cry. " I understand. Please give me some time. I will gather the funds and resolve everything. " Her voice, though laced with anxiety, carried a note of determined resolve. Andrew’s expression softened slightly, though doubt remained in his eyes. He turned and walked toward the door, leaving Joanna with his cold, indifferent back. “Very well, remember that repaying your debt is a non-negotiable obligation.” He pushed open the door and exited the reception room, leaving Joanna amidst the scattered expenditure records and an increasingly bleak future. Joanna watched as Andrew’s figure disappeared down the corridor, her heart pounding with anxiety and helplessness. She understood she needed to find a solution or face an even harsher reality. Bending down, she began to collect the scattered documents, her gaze fixed firmly on the cold, unforgiving numbers. Despite the daunting challenges ahead, she knew she had to fight.