Chapter 9

I did not break eye contact with Scarlett. The ballroom music played softly in the background, but the space between us felt tight and cold.

Scarlett kept a smug smile on her face, but she shifted her weight slightly. Her hand dropped, resting on the side of her silver dress.

"What are you staring at?" Scarlett snapped. Her voice lost its smooth, socialite tone. It sounded sharp and defensive.

"I am just admiring your glow," I said smoothly. I took a single step closer to her. Julian stiffened, but Dominic stood right behind me, an unmovable wall of support.

I did not expose my thoughts. I let a small, calm smile touch my lips.

"You should get some rest, Scarlett," I told her, keeping my voice very even. "Pregnancy is a delicate thing. You must take good care of yourself."

Scarlett’s pale skin turned a shade lighter. She took a fast step backward, bumping into Julian’s shoulder.

"Shut your mouth, Sienna," Julian growled. He pulled Scarlett closer to his side. "You are just jealous. You are trying to cause a scene because you have nothing left to your name."

"I am not causing a scene," I said softly.

Julian’s green eyes darkened with fury. He took a step toward me. His aggressive Alpha aura flared out, trying to push me down.

Before the energy could reach me, Dominic stepped forward. Dominic did not yell. He did not cause a public disruption. He just looked down at Julian. The pure power radiating from Dominic’s tall frame forced Julian to stop in his tracks.

"We are done speaking with you," Dominic told Julian in a deadly whisper. "Enjoy your gala, Vanguard."

Dominic placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me away from the ice sculpture.

We left Julian and Scarlett standing there. As we walked away, I glanced over my shoulder. Scarlett was whispering frantically into Julian's ear. Julian looked angry, his jaw tight with tension.

"That was a bold move," Dominic murmured near my ear as we walked toward the edge of the room.

"I wanted to see him look me in the eyes," I whispered back.

Dominic guided me to a quiet table near the large glass windows overlooking the city. We spent the next hour watching the gala unfold. It was a grand display of wealth. Waiters walked around carrying silver trays of costly champagne and tiny, delicate appetizers. In the center of the room, a silent auction displayed diamond necklaces and rare paintings.

At the front of the ballroom, Julian finally took the stage.

The string quartet stopped playing. Julian tapped the microphone, and the room went quiet.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Julian announced to the crowd. He wore his best fake smile. "The Vanguard Pack is entering a golden era. Next week, we launch a software system that will change the tech world. And soon, I will welcome a strong Alpha son with my beautiful mate."

The crowd clapped loudly. I watched him lie to hundreds of people, and my stomach turned.

A few minutes later, an older man in a sharp gray suit approached our table. He had silver hair and a stern face. I recognized him immediately. It was Arthur Sterling, one of the wealthiest tech investors in the city. He funded Julian’s early projects.

"Dominic Vance," Arthur said. He extended a wrinkled hand.

"Arthur," Dominic greeted him smoothly, shaking his hand. "I am surprised to see you at a Vanguard event."

"I like to keep a close eye on my investments," Arthur replied. His sharp eyes shifted to me. "And I am very surprised to see you here, Sienna. Julian told the investors you suffered a mental breakdown. He said you were unfit for any corporate duties."

I felt a flash of anger, but I pushed it down. I stood tall in my emerald dress.

"Julian says a lot of things, Mr. Sterling," I answered calmly. "But the truth is much simpler. I left Vanguard because I prefer to work with a team that actually understands root code. Dominic offered me the Lead Architect position at Obsidian."

Arthur raised his silver eyebrows. He looked deeply intrigued. "Lead Architect? That is a very high rank for someone Julian called a mere assistant."

"She is not an assistant," Dominic stated firmly. He spoke like it was a solid, undeniable fact. "Sienna is the brightest mind in this city. Vanguard is bleeding talent, Arthur. You should watch your stock portfolio very closely next week."

Arthur looked across the room. He watched Julian step down from the stage, looking stressed as a reporter asked him a question. Arthur frowned slightly.

"I always appreciate your advice, Dominic," Arthur said quietly. He tipped his head to me. "It was nice to see you looking so sharp, Sienna."

Arthur walked away, disappearing into the crowd of wealthy guests.

"You just planted a seed of doubt in his biggest investor," Dominic murmured, looking down at me with dark approval.

"He did it to himself," I replied. "I just told the truth."

When we finally left the hotel, the reporters flashed their cameras again. I walked to the sleek Maybach with my head held high.

The car ride back to the Obsidian estate was quiet. The adrenaline from the confrontation slowly faded. I leaned my head against the soft leather seat.

"She smelled wrong," I said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Dominic turned his head to look at me. The streetlights flashed across his handsome face. "Who?"

"Scarlett," I explained quietly. "Pregnant wolves smell like milk and honey. Scarlett smelled like burnt sage and bitter roots. And the fabric of her dress sat very strangely across her stomach."

Dominic frowned, his mind working quickly. "What does that mean?"

"I do not know yet," I admitted. "But something is wrong with her pregnancy. She is hiding something."

"We will keep an eye on her," Dominic said softly. "But tonight, you survived the fire. Get some rest, Sienna. We have a lot of code to write tomorrow."