Chapter 0046 – Seraphina’s POV
I had expected Helena to be harsh, but her words still struck me like a slap.
My first instinct was to yell back.
But I knew better. She was Caden’s CFO and someone I’d need to work with on the Carnival City project. Losing my temper now would only create bigger problems later.
“You’ve got the wrong idea,” I said, forcing my voice to stay calm. “I have no special interest in Alpha Caden. We’re just partners.”
For now, that’s all we were.
Helena’s icy gaze didn’t soften. “God, so you really do think you can do business? You? With that amateur plan of yours?”
I met her eyes, determined to keep my tone steady. “That plan was approved by Alpha Caden. I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
She let out a sharp laugh. “He only approved it because of his sister. I know you two were college friends,” she sneered. “Using friends to get close to a man… That’s a new low. Even for you.”
I bit my lip hard, trying to hold back the flood of anger rising in my chest. “But CEO Alexander also liked my project! I’m confident it’ll pass the board review—”
“No way,” Helena cut me off, lifting her chin in disdain.
Her perfectly made-up face radiated arrogance as she continued, “The plan itself might be decent. The problem is you. You don’t have the taste or the vision to build a world-class entertainment city. You’re just a country girl from the north who’s never seen real high society. Your plan stinks of poverty.”
The heat of humiliation crept up my face, burning all the way to my ears.
She wasn’t entirely wrong.
Back in Emerald Howl Pack, I didn’t live extravagantly. We Northerners were naturally frugal. Eason ensured I was comfortable, but we weren’t lavish. When I married Damon, I stayed thrifty to balance out his reckless spending. Even on special occasions, I only asked for flowers instead of expensive gifts.
Standing here now, Helena’s pearl necklace—the kind of luxury I’d never even considered—only reminded me of how differently we thought.
Could she be right? Did my lack of experience and exposure really mean I wasn’t cut out for this project?
I tried to reassure myself, but doubt was creeping in.
Helena must have sensed my hesitation because her smug smile deepened. “Looks like you know I’m right.”
“No, I…”
I wanted to argue, but my voice faltered.
“What are you two talking about?”
Caden’s deep voice came from behind me, making my heart skip a beat.
I turned to see him walking over from the school. My chest tightened, unsure of how to respond.
Helena smiled brightly, answering before I could. “We were discussing her project. I was just giving her some basic business lessons.”
Caden’s piercing gaze landed on me. “You could’ve asked me instead,” he said, his voice steady but commanding.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Helena cut in again. “Caden, we need to ride in the same car from now on. The joint meeting between marketing and finance is in half an hour. If we don’t start now, we won’t make it back to Obsidian Crest Pack in time.”
Caden nodded, turning to me. “Seraphina, then—”
“No problem!” I blurted, cutting him off and retreating to another car before he could finish his sentence.
I slammed the door shut and leaned back against the seat, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me.
Through the window, I saw Caden and Helena standing by the car, their conversation focused and professional. But something about the way they looked together—their polished confidence, their easy rapport—made my chest tighten.
They belonged to the same world.
And I didn’t.
“Don’t be stupid!” Elin’s voice snapped angrily in my mind, sensing my mood. “You’re way better than that arrogant woman!”
I wanted to believe her. But in that moment, I wasn’t so sure.
