Derek's POV
When Daphne and I entered the foyer, I immediately noticed Tabitha.
She asked me to prepare a gown for her, so I picked out a white dress, but she didn't wear it.
Instead, she was wearing a deep blue gown, exactly the same as Daphne's.
I knew she saw the style of the dress I had prepared for Daphne and did this on purpose.
But I just couldn't take my eyes off her.
She prepared more than a dress. Her hair was carefully fixed back with hair gel, and a white veil was on her head.
The veil was transparent, dotted with sparkling diamonds on it. It looked dazzling when the light was shed on it.
Besides, she wore a pair of diamond earrings, simple yet elegant.
She was like a rose in the rain—beautiful but desolate, attracting people to get closer, but threatening them with her thorns.
My gaze followed her involuntarily.
Just as I was talking to Leo, Daphne walked over.
She had a blunt displeasure on her face. "Look at Tabitha, she is wearing the exact same dress as me. It makes me look like a joke."
I glanced at her coldly and said, "It's just a coincidence."
"Is it really? This dress was custom-made by you. How did she know the style and brand?" she asked.
Her eyes searched me with an accusatory gaze.
I furrowed and whispered, "Don't forget your place. My affairs are nothing you can question."
She wasn't satisfied with my response.
She retorted, "Can't you give me an explanation? Was it you arranged it, or was it her intention?"
I grabbed her wrist and then slightly released my Alpha aura.
She immediately felt it and looked at me in fear.
I said, "You are not qualified to ask me for an explanation, understand?"
She nodded quickly, saying, "I don't mean to question you. We are about to get married, so I don't want others to think that you still have something with Tabitha. It wouldn't be good for Kyrian either."
Thinking of Kyrian, my restlessness was somewhat alleviated.
So I let go of Daphne and averted my gaze from her.
But she didn't leave. Instead, she took a step closer.
The next moment, her hand held onto mine.
She said, "Derek, we could be more affectionate."
"Let go," I shed a cold glance.
She released me, shocked by my coldness.
I ignored her and turned to look at Tabitha again.
She was talking to a young man, and although her smile was beautiful, I could tell she was forcing.
Daphne saw them too, and she whispered in my ear, "See, I told you Tabitha couldn't be trusted. It didn't take long for her to exchange contacts with another man."
"Shut up," I commanded.
But she continued, "Derek, only I could be your perfect match. Tabitha approaches you only for your money, and anyone can have her if they pay enough."
I ignored her and turned away.
Then Daphne walked over to Lyrique, carrying a glass of wine.
Noticing her leaving, I gave Alvin a look, and he nodded back, getting my hint.
I watched as he walked up to Daphne and exchanged a few words, then she beamed with happiness.
Afterward, Alvin took out a diamond bracelet, which she immediately put on her wrist.
After that, Alvin walked up to me and handed me a earbud.
I put it on my left ear and then turned around to continue my conversation with the pack.
Quickly, Daphne's voice came through the earbud.
"That bitch, she must have done it on purpose." Her voice was filled with hatred.
"Daphne, don't be angry. Even if it's the same style, you outshine her," Lyrique whispered, trying to persuade her.
"Listen, I have an herbal powder here. You put it in Tabitha's drink, and she'll embarrass herself later," Daphne continued.
Upon hearing this, I furrowed.
Lyrique sounds nervous as well, asking, "R-really, do we have to do this?"
Daphne smiled and said, "Lyrique, I have always trusted you. You are to accomplish great things. If you can do this for me, I can promise you that your pack and the Black Thorn Pack will become allies."
Getting such a promise, Lyrique answered immediately, "Trust me. I won't let you down."
As Lyrique's voice ended, a burst of noise came through the earbud.
I couldn't help but frown at it.
Leo roared angrily in my mind, "How could you let that woman hurt Tabitha?"
"Shut up, Leo. I wouldn't just sit by and do nothing," I said.
I was no longer in the mood to chat.
So I started searching for Tabitha in the hall.
Soon, I spotted her. She was walking towards the canteen with the young man she had been talking to.
Clenching my teeth, I thought, 'Tabitha, you really got the nerve!'
Inviting her to the banquet was a bad idea. I should have known that as long as she showed up, she would become the center of attention.
I snorted and said to Alvin, "Find out where that guy came from."
Soon, Alvin walked up to me and whispered, "That's Jasper Lockhart, son of the Alpha of the Dawn Vanguard Pack. The pack used to be in Seattle, but they had all left together, and returned in the past month."
I took a deep breath and said, "Follow Tabitha closely, and report to me at any time if anything happens."