Chapter 4

Elias frowned, looking displeased.

"Aisling, what do you mean? I'm a stranger?"

I nodded: "What I wear is my freedom, and I can buy it myself. My job is also very respectable, not shameful. And I haven't failed to move on. Donate this money to werewolves who need it."

His fingers holding the check turned slightly white, but he stood there without moving.

Serena quickly walked over. Seeing the check, a flash of understanding crossed her eyes. Her face still wore a proper smile, but her tone had hardened: "Aisling, if you don't want money, surely you'd accept a real job? I know a medical clinic at a fringe pack that's short-handed. Five thousand a month. Not much, but you'd learn a skill and could eventually open your own clinic. I'll give you the contact information for the person in charge. How about it?"

I didn't even raise my eyelids and continued eating.

"Thank you, but I'm very satisfied with my current job and don't plan to change."

Werewolves watching the excitement chimed in: "Aisling, stop being stubborn. They're being kind to help you—don't be ungrateful."

"Exactly. Living like this, can't even afford nice clothes, coming to a banquet—isn't it to make connections? The olive branch is right in front of you, and you're still acting proud?"

Serena's face was plastered with a fake smile: "Everyone, don't say that. Maybe Aisling really does like her current job." She turned to me, "Aisling, we're doing this for old times' sake. Don't be stubborn for the sake of pride."

I really couldn't understand where this sense of superiority in forcing money and jobs on people came from.

If we were being serious, all these people combined probably weren't as wealthy as me.

"Really no need, thank you."

Serena's smile remained unchanged, but the contempt in her eyes was undisguised.

Elias's knuckles turned white gripping the check, and he began sneering: "You're really pathetic! Given an opportunity and you don't know how to take it—no wonder you're poor!"

This was like a signal. Several ill-intentioned werewolves gathered around.

A portly werewolf walked up to me swaying with a wine glass. His eyes looked me up and down lecherously: "Aisling, seeing you so pitiful makes me feel bad. How about this—you let me touch your chest, and I'll give you a thousand. Too little? I'll add more."

Other werewolves laughed, and no one stopped him.

I frowned. This banquet was truly foul. If I weren't still waiting for someone, I would have left long ago.

I was about to call a server when Elias suddenly grabbed the man's wrist.

His presence dropped dramatically, displaying his Alpha authority, his face terrifyingly dark.

"What do you think this banquet is? If you want to throw your weight around, go somewhere else! She's not someone you can touch!"