The group
who had once humiliated me alongside August broke into a cold sweat the moment they heard those words, their faces turning pale.
They never imagined that the pathetic simp they had mocked was actually Ryder’s mate. In that instant, fear and regret surged through them.
But I was wearing the one–and–only bracelet, and I had already acknowledged my mate bond with Ryder. They were the ones who were blind and arrogant beyond belief.
I saw them hunch over, trying to avoid attention as if they could sneak away unnoticed.
Hailey’s friend, Lucy White, suddenly spoke up loudly. “Sophia, where’d you dig up these two actors? Not bad at all. Should we have Hailey recommend them to the entertainment industry?
“You’re so broke you
can’t
even afford a decent outfit. Don’t tell me you spent all your money hiring them?
“At least try to make it look convincing! I’ve got a dress I’ve only worn once. How about I give it to you? That way, your little show won’t look so pathetic. It makes people die laughing!”
Lucy had just arrived and had no idea what had happened earlier.
What a foolish woman. Did she really think that by putting me down for Hailey’s sake, she could earn Hailey’s genuine friendship?
In Hailey’s eyes, she was nothing more than a follower. As for Lucy, she only stayed close to Hailey to use her connections to get into parties, hoping to meet a rich werewolf.
So, picking on me seemed like a smart move. After all, Hailey saw me as a thorn in her side. My misery made her happy.
In the past, whenever she bullied me, plenty of people around would chime in and play along. But now, those same people were stepping back, eyeing Lucy like she was a fool.
Lucy felt uneasy about it.
As soon as Lucy caught a clear glimpse of Ryder’s face, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Hey, stop wasting your time earning those pitiful scraps as an extra. You’re pretty good–looking. If you’re willing to be with me, I can keep you. I pay way better than this broke she–wolf ever could.”
I was left completely speechless. Was she seriously trying to poach someone from me without even understanding the situation and boldly claiming she’d keep Ryder?
I couldn’t tell if I should admire her courage or laugh at her sheer stupidity.
