Chapter 208
\nMarked By the Pureblood Alpha (Deanna and Luis) novel Chapter 208<\/p>\n
**Chapter 208: Bait**<\/p>\n
**Jillian\u2019s POV:**<\/p>\n
I parked the car alongside a desolate stretch of riverbank, the water shimmering under the dim light of the evening sky. A large bridge loomed overhead, casting a shadow that felt heavy with the weight of the world. Below it, a few homeless souls had found refuge from the harshness of life, curled up in tattered blankets, oblivious to the chill in the air.<\/p>\n
I stepped out of the vehicle, the gravel crunching under my feet, and took a moment to breathe in the damp, earthy scent that surrounded me. Dorothy emerged behind me, her fingers tightly gripping a worn-out canvas bag, its fabric frayed and faded, much like her spirit.<\/p>\n
Lighting a cigarette, I inhaled deeply, letting the smoke curl around me like a veil. I turned to look at her, noticing the way her eyes darted nervously, as if trying to decipher my intentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have any idea why I brought you here?\u201d I asked, letting the smoke escape my lips in a slow, deliberate puff, directing it toward the bridge where the beggars huddled together for warmth.<\/p>\n
Dorothy shook her head, uncertainty etched across her features.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, I raised my voice, letting the anger I felt bubble to the surface as I flicked the cigarette to the ground, watching it extinguish against the gravel. \u201cI wish I could take you somewhere nice, like a five-star restaurant or a luxury hotel. But look at me! I\u2019m a wreck\u2014less than a wreck! I\u2019m drowning in debt! If this continues, I\u2019ll end up worse than those beggars! My creditors are already whispering about selling me off!\u201d<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t entirely lying; I was indeed broke, but I exaggerated my plight, hoping to elicit the reaction I needed.<\/p>\n
I had grown up in the Mistbane Pack, where the art of persuasion was a survival skill. I knew how to weave words, how to manipulate emotions, and how to make people feel compelled to help me.<\/p>\n
As I expected, Dorothy\u2019s expression shifted. The color drained from her face, and the pity that replaced her nervousness was palpable.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my mother,\u201d I said, allowing a tremor to slip into my voice, \u201cDoes it not hurt you to see me like this? If you had just dealt with Deanna when you had the chance, I wouldn\u2019t be living this miserable life, like some unwanted loser.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her lips quivered, and I could see the conflict in her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cJillian\u2026 tell me what you want me to do. Whatever it takes to make things right, I\u2019ll do it,\u201d she said, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with desperation.<\/p>\n
Suppressing a smirk, I spoke slowly, deliberately, \u201cIf you help me get rid of Deanna, everything will revert to how it once was. I\u2019ll be wealthy again. And when that happens, I\u2019ll buy a huge house\u2014and we\u2019ll live there together.\u201d<\/p>\n
I dangled the lie like a tempting bait, watching her reaction closely.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? You\u2019ll live with me?\u201d The light in Dorothy\u2019s eyes flickered with a mix of hope and desperation, igniting a fire I could almost feel.<\/p>\n
After the mall\u2019s director concluded his presentation, a murmur of surprise echoed from the other end of the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha, you\u2019re here?\u201d someone exclaimed, disbelief evident in their tone.<\/p>\n
Then, I heard Jake\u2019s voice, steady and calm, cutting through the tension. \u201cCarry on. I just had time to listen in today.\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt a chill run down my spine as I froze in place.<\/p>\n
At the end of the presentation, the director turned to me, his tone polite yet probing. \u201cMs. Wiley, are you satisfied with this year\u2019s financial results? Or would you like to suggest any adjustments?\u201d<\/p>\n
I paused, weighing my words carefully. \u201cI think it\u2019s fine,\u201d I replied, maintaining a facade of composure.<\/p>\n
Then, with a calmness that belied the storm brewing within, I added, \u201cFrom now on, Mistbane Pack will withdraw from all operations of Jetton Mall. This year\u2019s dividends should all go to the Olsendreich Pack.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before anyone could respond, I swiftly ended the call, a sense of finality washing over me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-2291","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/icuow.top\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}