"MICHELLE'S MANIPULATION"
Michelle's heels clicked against the marble floors of Lynam's office building. Her plan was meticulous, designed to make Xanthe doubt Lynam's loyalty.
When Michelle arrived unannounced, Lynam was seated behind his desk, his brow furrowed over paperwork. He barely glanced up. "What do you want, Michelle?"
Feigning hurt, Michelle placed a manila envelope on his desk. "I came to warn you."
Lynam arched a brow, his patience visibly thinning.
Michelle smirked. "Your wife doesn't belong in your world, Lynam. She'll never understand you. And when she finds out who you really are… she'll leave. Just like everyone else does."
He leaned back, his gaze cold. "Is that all?"
Michelle's expression darkened. "No. I thought you'd like to know what she's been up to."
She pushed the envelope closer. Lynam hesitated before opening it, revealing photographs of Xanthe speaking with a rival business leader—a man notorious for trying to undermine the Morenas.
"You think this will work?" Lynam asked, tossing the photos back at her. "You think I don't trust my wife?"
Michelle's confidence faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly. "We'll see how long that trust lasts when this reaches the tabloids."
"A FATHER'S VENDETTA"
Lynam's father, Alex Morena, stood at the head of the lavish dining table, his cold eyes fixed on Xanthe. The dinner was a façade, an opportunity for him to deliver his thinly veiled threats.
"You're an interesting choice, Xanthe," Alex said, swirling his wine glass. "Marrying a Redwood, of all people. Your family has always been a thorn in my side."
Xanthe didn't flinch. "And yet, here we are. United."
Alex's lips curved into a sinister smile. "For now. But alliances built on shaky foundations tend to crumble. Tell me, Xanthe, do you think you can handle the pressure of being Lynam's wife? Of living in his world?"
She met his gaze head-on. "I've faced worse."
Alex chuckled darkly. "We'll see. Everyone has their breaking point. And when you reach yours, don't say I didn't warn you."
Later that night, Xanthe overheard Alex giving orders to one of his men. "Dig up anything you can on her past. If there's dirt, I want it exposed. I'll do whatever it takes to get her out of my son's life."
"PLANTING THE SEED OF DOUBT"
Michelle's next move was bolder. She appeared at a gala Xanthe and Lynam were hosting, her red dress designed to catch attention. As Xanthe mingled with guests, Michelle cornered her near the balcony.
"Beautiful party," Michelle said, her voice saccharine sweet. "Lynam must be so proud of you."
Xanthe raised an eyebrow. "I don't have time for your games, Michelle."
Michelle smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, this isn't a game. I just thought you'd like to know that Lynam and I share… history. A deep connection that doesn't just go away. Ask him about New York, last year. I'm sure he'll deny it, but the truth always has a way of coming out."
Before Xanthe could respond, Michelle slipped away, leaving Xanthe simmering with doubt.
When Lynam found her later, her expression was guarded. "What happened in New York last year?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Lynam's brows knitted together. "New York? Xanthe, what are you talking about?"
"Michelle said you two shared a 'deep connection.'"
Lynam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "She's trying to get between us. There's nothing to tell. You have to trust me."
"A PUBLIC SCANDAL"
The next morning, tabloids exploded with headlines: "Billionaire's Wife Caught in Scandal!" Photos of Xanthe and the rival business leader were splashed across every page, accompanied by baseless rumors about her infidelity.
At the pack house, the tension was thick. The pack's murmurs of distrust grew louder, and even Lynam seemed troubled.
Xanthe paced their shared office, fury radiating from her. "This is Michelle's doing. Or your father's."
"Probably both," Lynam admitted, his jaw tight. "But we'll fight back. Together."
"They're tearing us apart," Xanthe said, her voice wavering. "Your father wants me gone, Michelle is relentless, and the pack… they're losing faith in me."
Lynam stepped forward, taking her hands. "Then we'll remind them who we are. You are my wife, my partner. And if the world thinks it can break us, they're wrong."
"THE CONFRONTATION"
Xanthe didn't wait for another attack. She sought out Michelle, confronting her in her own office.
"You've crossed the line," Xanthe said, her voice low and dangerous.
Michelle leaned back in her chair, unbothered. "Oh, darling, this is just the beginning."
Xanthe's wolf stirred within her, but she forced herself to remain calm. "You think you can take Lynam from me? Go ahead and try. But you'll learn soon enough that he's mine. And if you come after my pack again, you'll regret it."
Michelle smirked, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. "We'll see who he chooses when it really matters."