Chapter 285
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285
Third Person’s POV
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Adelaide decided she needed to first understand Alger’s character. If he was reliable, she would then. discuss it with Zelda and of course, seek the man’s consent as well.
After her failed marriage to Ulrik, Adelaide believed marriage shouldn’t be solely parent–arranged; mutual attraction was essential.
“Are you mad?” Priscilla asked, noticing her silence.
“No,” Adelaide replied, snapping back to reality. “Just thinking.”
Priscilla generously pulled out some money, “Here, as promised, half of what I recovered. I won’t go back on my word.”
Adelaide chuckled, “Keep your money. I can’t accept it.”
“No?” Priscilla was puzzled. “Then why go to such lengths to help me confront Madison?”
“You’re Lance’s mother now. I had to stand up for you against those who swindled you,” Adelaide said.
Priscilla looked at Adelaide’s cool profile and recalled the scene at Madison’s manor when she was shivering with cold, and Adelaide instinctively wrapped her in her cloak.
Her heart warmed. “I’ll remember your kindness. I’m not ungrateful like some others.”
This was clearly a dig at the Bloodmoon Pack.
Adelaide smiled but said nothing.
Priscilla studied her and realized she was different from what others had said.
Previously, Madison had always spoken ill of her and belittled the Frostfang Pack–it was all malicious slander.
She regretted believing the rumors and even uttering that Adelaide was unworthy to be her son’s mate.
Upon reflection, she realized she couldn’t entirely blame others. After all, she too had looked down on Adelaide for being in her second mating.
Recalling how Adelaide had helped her twice, Priscilla felt a mix of shame and fear. If Adelaide had acted like others and caused a scene upon discovering the stolen wedding gifts, would her reputation still be intact?
Worse, how could she face Adelaide again–there’s no shame worse than having your misdeeds exposed.
The more she thought about it the more she loathed Madison’s malice and her own foolishness for being swayed by a few words and acting so recklessly.
Thinking it over, coupled with the chill she’d caught, her head felt heavy, and her body ached.
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14:14 Sun, 13 Jul 0
285
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Back at the Blackthorn Pack, Adelaide helped her out of the carriage and immediately instructed an omega, “Boil some Moon Goddess herb soup. Everyone should have a bowl to warm up.”
Priscilla felt even more ashamed–Adelaide was truly considerate, remembering how she’d been chilled at Madison’s.
No one could match such attentiveness and care.
She had thought Adelaide was acting for her own sake, but later realized Adelaide’s actions were driven by concern for her partner, Lance, who might have caught a cold..
The kitchen brought out the herb soup, one bowl for each person.
Adelaide made sure Lance drank his before relaxing. Seeing Priscilla sip hers, she said, “Finish a bowl first. Have something to eat later.”
They hadn’t been offered even water at Madison’s, let alone food.
“Understood,” Priscilla replied, her voice nasal with emotion. “I’ll finish it.”
“Then I’ll head back to take a warm bath. You should have the omegas prepare some hot water for you too,” Adelaide said, leading Lance back to their room despite his displeasure.
Lance was frustrated–what Priscilla had done was shocking enough to make waves.
She had handed her money to Wanda and never checked on it, even adding more funds over time.
Adelaide had been here for mere days and had already dealt with her affairs twice.
He hadn’t waited outside Madison’s manor tonight because he doubted Adelaide’s capability. He was upset seeing her toil for her mother while he could only wait at home.
After all, it was a family matter, and he didn’t want to interfere unless asked.
Moreover, given Adelaide’s personal grievances with Madison, she preferred to handle it herself.
On the way back to the courtyard, Lance’s hand, which had been holding Adelaide’s, was no longer cold- after warming up with the moon goddess herb soup.
“Stop being angry,” Adelaide said softly.
“Everyone has weaknesses. Priscilla’s is her gullibility and instinctive fear of Madison.”
“As her son, I can’t say much, but this is something even a moderately smart person would avoid,” Lance said, still sounding irritated, though his anger gradually subsided after Adelaide’s reassurance.
Adelaide wanted to agree but felt it would be like mocking her in her vulnerability, so she simply smiled and said, “Well, the money is back. Let’s not dwell on it.”
“I’m worried about you,” Lance admitted. “Arguing with Madison in the cold over her money must have been tough. You must have felt wronged.”
“It’s fine. And after these two times, Priscilla won’t be as harsh with me as before,” Adelaide said.
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“Does she dare?” Lance’s eyes narrowed in anger.
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“She asked me to observe etiquette and attend to her daily needs. I can’t refuse. She’s trying to assert her authority,” Adelaide explained.
Lance squeezed her hand tightly. “The Blackthorn Pack doesn’t have such rules.”
Adelaide smiled faintly and said no more, walking hand in hand with him into the courtyard.
The courtyard had a great feature–it had a climate–controlled bathtub that could be used at any time.
Adelaide, suggested he soak first.
Lance, with one arm around her waist, proposed, “That tub’s big enough for two. Let’s save time and trouble. What do you say?”
III