Chapter 339
Chapter 257: The Betrayer’s Scheme Chapter 257: The Betrayer’s Scheme (Third person’s POV) Claim Victoria Hartwell sat bound and gagged in the presidential suite’s plush armchair, tears streaming down her carefully made–up face. Her black lace halter dress had been hastily pulled back on, but the elegant side bun she’d spent an hour perfecting was now disheveled from her struggles. The silk ties around her wrists bit into her skin as she tested them desperately. Her stockings had runs from where she’d thrashed against her restraints. This wasn’t how her plan was supposed to unfold. She was supposed to be in Connor’s arms by now, not trussed up like a criminal. Her wolf whimpered in humiliation. The sophisticated beta werewolf who had orchestrated this elaborate seduction scheme now faced the consequences of her desperate actions. Ten minutes earlier, Victoria had used Frank Langley’s stolen key card to slip into Connor’s presidential suite. The electronic lock had clicked open smoothly, granting her access to the Alpha’s private domain. She heard the shower running in the marble bathroom. Steam drifted from beneath the door, carrying Connor’s intoxicating scent. Her heart raced with anticipation. Soon, very soon, she would have what she’d dreamed of for months. Connor’s phone buzzed on the granite counter. The screen lit up with an incoming call from “Livvy p> Victoria’s blood boiled instantly. That intimate nickname could only belong to one person – Olivia Winters. Her wolf snarled with territorial rage. How dare that woman claim Connor with such a possessive contact name? Victoria’s fingers trembled as she reached for the phone. This was her chance to eliminate her rival once and for all. She answered with a sultry purr. “Hello p> “Where’s Connor?” Olivia’s voice was sharp with suspicion. 1/5 < Chapter 257 The Betrayer’s Scheme Claim “Oh, it’s you,” Victoria replied dismissively. “Connor’s in the shower right now. He can’t come to the phone p> The implication hung heavy in her tone. Let Olivia imagine what she wanted. “Tell him I called,” Olivia demanded coldly. “Of course,” Victoria cooed with false sweetness. “I’ll be sure to let him know p> The line went dead. Victoria smiled triumphantly and immediately blocked Olivia’s number on Connor’s phone. Her plan was working perfectly. She had already slipped wolfsbane derivatives into Connor’s evening drink earlier. The substance would lower his inhibitions and make him susceptible to her advances. Victoria’s obsession with Connor Rivers ran deeper than mere attraction. As the daughter of a wealthy Shadowmere family, she didn’t need employment for financial reasons. She had infiltrated Rivers Pack Holdings specifically to pursue the Alpha heir. Using her father’s business connections, she had secured a position at the company’s Shadowmere branch first. Then she’d bribed a manager to transfer her to headquarters. Connor, focused on pack business, remained unaware of her ulterior motives. He didn’t even remember meeting her briefly at a social gathering months earlier. But Victoria remembered everything about that encounter. When Olivia called back, Victoria answered again with breathless excitement. She made soft moaning sounds, painting an intimate picture for the other woman’s imagination. The third call came as a video request. Victoria kept the camera off but answered anyway. She threw herself dramatically onto the sofa, creating rustling sounds and heavy breathing. Her fabricated moans echoed through the speaker. Let Olivia hear what she thought was happening. Let her suffer with jealousy and betrayal. The bathroom door opened with a soft click. Connor emerged in his gray bathrobe, his dark hair damp from the shower. The wolfsbane had taken effect. His skin was flushed unnaturally, his ice–blue eyes glazed with artificial desire. His breathing came in labored pants. But his reaction wasn’t what Victoria expected. 2/5 Chapter 257: The Betrayer’s Scheme Claim “What are you doing here?” Connor’s voice carried the commanding authority of an Alpha. “Get out p> His wolf recognized the threat despite the chemical interference. Fury blazed in his eyes as he spotted the intruder in his private space. Victoria rose gracefully from the sofa, still clutching his phone. “ Connor, darling, I came to see you p> She moved toward him with predatory grace. “You look so handsome when you’re angry p> “I said get out!” Connor snarled, his Alpha presence filling the room with dangerous energy. Victoria attempted to embrace him, pressing her body against his chest. “Don’t fight it, Connor. You want this as much as I do p> Connor forcefully pushed her away. She stumbled backward, still gripping his phone tightly. The video call was still connected. Victoria saw another opportunity for sabotage. She deliberately threw herself at Connor again, recording his heavy breathing and her own fabricated moans. Let Olivia hear this and believe the worst. The call disconnected abruptly. Connor suddenly noticed his phone in Victoria’s hands and snatched it back violently. His expression turned murderous as he saw the ended video call on the screen. He immediately tried calling Olivia back. “The other party has not added you as a friend” appeared on his screen. Olivia had blocked his number in her rage and hurt. Connor’s wolf erupted in a frenzy of protective fury toward his mate and killing rage toward the woman who had orchestrated this betrayal. “You manipulative witch!” Connor roared. “What did you do p> Victoria smiled seductively despite his fury. “I gave her the truth about us, darling p> “There is no us!” Connor’s voice shook with barely controlled violence. “Leave now, or I’ll throw you out myself,” he warned. Victoria refused to retreat. Instead, she began removing her dress with deliberate slowness. “Don’t you want me, Connor?” she purred. “I can give you everything she can’t p> 3/5 < Chapter 257 The Betrayer’s Scheme Connor’s disgust prevented him from touching her directly. The wolfsbane’s effects intensified, threatening to overwhelm his rational mind. Claim Rather than succumb to the chemical manipulation, Connor grabbed a silver letter opener from his desk. He deliberately sliced his palm, using the searing pain to maintain mental clarity. Silver burned against werewolf flesh like acid. The agony cut through the drug’s influence, keeping his mind sharp. Blood dripped onto the expensive carpet as Connor fought against the chemical assault on his wolf nature. He pressed the intercom button with his uninjured hand. “Frank, get up here now. Emergency p> Victoria continued her seductive display, now wearing only her undergarments. “ You can’t resist me forever, Connor p> Frank Langley burst through the door moments later. He found Victoria in a state of undress and immediately understood the gravity of the situation. His forehead beaded with sweat as he stammered an apology. “Alpha Connor, I sincerely apologize for this serious security breach p> Frank’s mind raced with horror. This woman had drugged his Alpha and attempted to force herself on him. He noticed Connor’s bleeding palm and the silver letter opener still in his grip. Frank realized the Alpha had used silver’s painful effects to resist the wolfsbane’s influence. The sight filled Frank with both admiration for his Alpha’s strength and terror at his own failure to prevent this attack. “Remove her,” Connor commanded through gritted teeth. “Now p> Frank quickly wrapped Victoria in a bathroom towel and lifted her from the chair. She struggled against his grip but couldn’t break free. “This isn’t over, Connor!” Victoria screamed as Frank carried her toward the door. “You belong with me p> Frank carried her from the suite without another word, his face grim with determination. Left alone, Connor collapsed onto the sofa, tilting his head back as the wolfsbane continued burning through his system. 4/5 < Chapter 257: The Betrayer’s Scheme Despite his pain and rage, one name escaped his lips in a whispered plea. “Livvy, Livvy p>