Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine

Chapter 64

LILY

I waded through that koi pond at the Reed Pack mansion for almost the entire night before I found that

fucking ring.

I’d been on the verge of collapse and hypothermia when my father took me to the hospital. That was

my idea. He wanted to go straight to our country house so I could shift and run and heal in my true

form.

But I need to handle the fallout on social media that had been destroying my brand and name while I

was busy getting my snorkel on in that stupid pond.

Dad brought me to the hospital. I even got an IV drip. Of course, when they hooked me up to the drip in

the hospital, I made sure to let my agent take photos and post them on the Internet to gain sympathy.

After what happened, I stayed in my human form until my publicist booked a press conference. Given

the dehydration, continued exposure to that frigid water and my bout with hypothermia, I had a very

sickly appearance. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Which was exactly the look I was going for.

At the press conference, I apologized in public and said that because the ring was given to me by my

sister, I cherished it very much. On that day, I had thought that had been the ring I was wearing when I

went out. When I got outside, a friend had alerted me that the ring was not on my hand, so I thought

that it had fallen off. Therefore, in a moment of anxiety, the situation of asking people to help me find

the ring emerged.

"I'm sorry. It was because of my carelessness that so many sanitation workers had to help me find the

ring. I, on the other hand, stood to the side and did not look for the ring together with them. I sincerely

acknowledge my mistake. I think I was too absorbed in memories of my sister whom I love so much—

and whom I lost a few years ago. She was a bright light in this world for so many—my family, her

fiancee, all her friends and colleagues.” I press my hand to my chest. “Jennifer, you are forever in my

heart.”

Given my haggard appearance and sincere, heartfelt apology, the wave of negativity begins to reverse.

After a pause, I continue, "I'll go to the Sanitation Service Center to express my sincere gratitude to the

sanitation workers who helped me. I'll also donate all of my income from this year's work and use it to

set up a breakfast stall. The sanitation workers can get a free breakfast every day with their work pass.”

Once the video of the press conference is uploaded on the Internet, many people felt that my crisis had

been handled well. Even the fans kept posting endlessly to help me regain my previous ‘darling’ image

were being met with much less trolling and fewer hostile remarks.

As a result, many people felt that this had indeed just been a misunderstanding.

My gratitude towards the workers is also well-received and it even attracted many reporters.

Which brings me to another press conference.

This one is set up by the director of the Sanitation Service Center…

* * * * * * * * * * *

GRACE

They’ve arranged for us to be outside.

We have to stand in rows and smile, accepting gifts from the same woman who thought nothing of

having us scour through week-old refuse because she wanted to make my life miserable.

Well, she’d succeeded.

And she was chalking up a second victory because I was miserable again.

I sit inside the Center, refusing to go outside for this media circus.

Does no one see this for the obvious attention grab that it is!?!

Each worker had to line up and smile for the cameras while accepting a ‘token gift of Lily’s gratitude.’

Wow. Just…wow.

Claire accepted her gift and is very happy. In addition to the check for ten thousand dollars, had come

with a down jacket. Looking at the label, she sees that it is a designer brand. When she looks up, she

sees me. “Hey, I was wondering where you were! Hurry and go outside. Everyone is lined up from the

third shift. Lily is handing out gifts and cash compensation for her mistake. You worked harder than

anyone. Go get what’s due to you.”

Claire nudges me.

"I don't need it."

"This down jacket costs more than a thousand dollars. And the check is for ten thousand. Are you

crazy?!? Why don't you want them?" Claire can’t mask her disbelief.

Why don’t I want them!? I can think of ten thousand reasons.

“I’m not sure what you’re thinking right now. Just take the things and leave, you'll be fine," Claire says.

She pulls me up and drags me toward the door.

"There's no need, Claire. There's really no need," I argue.

However, before I can release myself from Claire's surprisingly strong grasp, I’m already been pulled

outside.

"There's still one left who didn't receive the gift!" Claire calls out.

All of a sudden, the cameras and the reporters are aimed at me.

I automatically use my hands to block them.

Those cameras make me think of the time when I had been outside the court being swarmed and

photographed by the media. The reporters had all been holding microphones and persistently wanting

to interview me.

And Sean at that time... I’d seen Sean standing outside the frame of the cameras.

Three years ago, in prison, he had stood there coldly.

When Lily had said that she was going to impair my hands, he had looked down at my fingers, which

were already stained with spots of blood, and said "good" in a frosty tone.

Three years later at the country club, when his bastard friend Gregory had accosted me, he’d also

stood by.

There were some things that, even after three years, remained the same.

It’s okay. You’re okay.

I breathe deeply.

Lily is the one in the crossfire today, not her.

This media circus isn’t out to condemn me.

But then Sean steps into my line of vision. And he won’t break my gaze.