10
Shadow’s eyes narrowed as she listened to the woman’s venomous words. Why was this wretched creature always so hostile towards her?
“Nonsense,” Shadow scoffed in response.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“Nonsense? You truly have no idea what I’m talking about?” Jessica sneered, crossing her arms in disdain. “Can you honestly say that you don’t dislike Jacob?”
Shadow hung her head, remaining silent.
Jessica wasn’t wrong.
For years, Shadow had harbored feelings for Jacob.
Just as she was about to respond, Jessica suddenly exclaimed in shock, “Jacob?”
What? Jacob was here?
Nervously, Shadow turned her head to confirm Jacob’s presence. Indeed, he was standing behind her.
Did he hear their conversation just now?
Anxiety coursed through her as she stared at Jacob. However, he walked past her without so much as a glance.
This confirmed that he had indeed heard everything they had spoken about.
Jessica seemed highly pleased with Jacob’s reaction. “It’s okay, Jacob. Shadow is already married. There’s no need to concern yourself with her.”
This was the typical response when one was entangled with a repugnant and foolish woman like Shadow. After all, what man could possibly be interested in such an unsightly creature? The only exception to that rule was Alpha Kilian’s cousin, Alpha Dominic. She still couldn’t fathom why a man like him would willingly associate himself with such trash.
Perhaps he simply sought a change of pace, a taste of something different.
“You’re married, Shadow?” Jacob queried.
“Yes, she told me it was the only way to secure a prosperous life. She said that if she were to mate, it would be preferable to mate into the Lances family rather than any other. I tried to advise her that even though the Lances family possesses great wealth, marrying a man like…” Jessica abruptly stopped speaking, shaking her head with a pained expression.
Shadow, however, understood the meaning behind Jessica’s words. Jessica was openly revealing that she had married into the Lances family solely for financial gain. She was nothing more than an ambitious gold digger.
Shadow tightened her fists, seething with anger. They were the ones who broke off the engagement. They were the ones who forced her to mate with Alpha Kilian. And now she was being accused of ambition?
Jacob frowned, disappointed, as he surveyed Shadow. “Regardless of the reason for your marriage, thank you for stepping in and taking Jessica’s place to marry into the Lances family.”
Jessica’s face lit up with gratitude as she gazed at Shadow. “Yes, that’s right. If you hadn’t taken my place, I wouldn’t have been able to be with Jacob.”
With a gruff voice, Shadow interjected, “It’s not like that…”
Although she may never be with Jacob in this lifetime, she did not wish to appear as a greedy gold digger before him. Just as she was about to explain herself, Jacob waved her off, a frown etched upon his face.
“There’s no need to explain. I understand. While Alpha Kilian may not be in the best health, the Lances family will undoubtedly treat you well. Their wealth speaks for itself.”
Shadow’s blood ran cold at his words.
So he actually believed Jessica’s claims and thought of her as a gold digger?
Just then, her phone vibrated within her bag.
Shadow retrieved her phone and discovered a text message filled with various dish names. There was no indication of the sender’s identity.
Frowning, she wondered who would send her such a message.
However, it provided her with an excuse to leave this place.
“I still have some unfinished work to attend to,” Shadow declared, standing up and regarding both Jacob and Jessica without expression.
“She was right that I used to have feelings for you, and I won’t deny that. But that’s all in the past; I want nothing to do with you now. As for why I married Alpha Kilian, no one knows better than Jessica. It’s up to you to believe it or not.”
The only reason she had developed an attachment to Jacob was because he was the only one who didn’t despise her or use her ugliness against her.
But now it seemed she had expected too much.
After all, they had known each other for so many years. Didn’t he know what kind of person she was?
Yet, why did she feel so deeply hurt? This wasn’t the first time someone had questioned her like this.
Even when her own biological mother, Lisa, refused to believe her, Jacob was still an outsider.
However, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Did he truly hold such a low opinion of her?
“If there’s nothing else, I will leave.” With those words, she exited the dining room without hesitation.
Just before closing the door, she overheard Jacob saying, “I used to think she was pure and innocent. But I never expected her to… It’s as if I never knew her at all.”
Once again, Jessica feigned helplessness. “I also never expected her to stoop so low for money.”
Shadow clenched her hands and pressed her lips together tightly. Without looking back, she left the restaurant. Remaining here would only expose her to more condemnation and hatred.
Her phone in her pocket rang again. Without glancing at it, she answered the call.
A familiar deep voice reverberated in her ears. “Pack up all the dishes mentioned in the message and bring them back.”