Derek's POV
Tabitha didn't look well.
She seemed to be affected by the Nightshade grass.
I wanted to take her away, but her pitiful, innocent gaze held me in place.
I couldn't move my feet, as my wolf urged me to get closer to her.
She tugged my clothes, and as I bent down, she directly hooked her arms around my neck.
It caught me off guard.
I wondered, 'How long has it been since I last saw her smile like this?
'Clean and beautiful, like a flower in the rain, washing away all dirt and hatred.
'It just makes me fall for her once again.'
She whispered softly in my ear, "Would you stay here and rest with me for a while?"
Her voice was so enticing that I couldn't resist. So I stayed.
Worried about Tabitha, I came there in a hurry without even taking off my earbud.
Then, as she was safe and sound, I finally started paying attention to the sound coming from the earbud.
I listened, sitting on the carpet, with Tabitha in my arms.
It was a conversation between Lyrique and Daphne.
"Daphne, I got it done," Lyrique said.
"Are you sure?" Daphne answered.
"Absolutely. The waiter I arranged saw them drink the juice. He stood at the door for a while and only left after hearing a lot of noise inside. It must have been settled."
"You did well." Daphne praised.
"Daphne, I have another suggestion. Since your goal is to ruin Tabitha's reputation, we'd better make her ashamed of herself for the rest of her life," Lyrique suggested.
"What's it?" Daphne asked.
Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but frown.
My wolf muttered in my mind, "What a foolish woman."
Before I responded to Leo's complaint, I heard Lyrique's answer.
"The guests attending the banquet today were all influential figures, not only representatives from major packs but also some high society ladies. If these people were to witness Tabitha and that man's disgraceful deeds, she would never be able to hold her head up high again."
"What do you mean?" Daphne asked with great interest.
"You can invite a few people to have dinner in the room where Tabitha went, then everyone will see. Soon, such a spectacular scene will be admired by everyone here."
"That's a great idea, Lyrique. I knew I could count on you. Listen. You go check out Tabitha's room and make sure she doesn't leave. I'll gather a few more people and we'll join you later," exclaimed Daphne excitedly.
"Don't worry. I will go right away." Lyrique answered.
After that, the earbud returned to the noisy background.
Lyrique must be on her way to the room.
I immediately stood up, holding Tabitha in my arms. She looked at me with confusion.
"This place is not suitable for resting, I will take you to the guest room on the third floor," I said.
She didn't refuse this time, saying, "Then put me down, I will walk by myself."
"Didn't you sprain your foot?" I asked.
She chuckled mockingly and said, "The self-service dining area is on the other side of the corridor. What if someone sees you carrying me?"
I pondered for a moment, then put her down.
She supported my arm as she walked, taking each step very slowly.
Just as we were approaching the door, it opened slightly.
The next moment, Lyrique poked out half of his body.
Seeing us, her expression changed from excitement to fear.
She turned around and wanted to leave.
I immediately commanded, "Stop!"
Lyrique halted, she turned around, her face filled with terror.
She said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was occupied. I'm leaving now. I didn't see anything."
At that moment, Tabitha chuckled softly.
Then, she let go of my arm and walked towards Lyrique.
I could see no signs of her sprained foot as she walked so quickly.
I immediately understood that she had been pretending so as to buy time.
"How could you see nothing? You saw everything, did you?" Tabitha said with a smile.
"No...no, I didn't see anything," Lyrique said, shaking his hands.
Tabitha turned and looked at me. She said with a half-smile, "It seems like we can't let Miss Hythe leave for now."
Daphne's voice continued through my earbud as she enthusiastically invited others to join her for dinner.
In a little while, we could be trapped here.
I said in a soothing tone, "Tabitha, I'll take you to your room to rest. Don't worry, I will figure out all about the Nightshade Grass."
Then, turning to Larry, I added coldly, "Miss Hythe, I'll have someone come talk to you later. I hope you can explain everything in detail."
"I knew nothing." Lyrique was so scared that he almost collapsed on the ground.
Growing impatient, I turned away.
'This woman was just foolish like Daphne.' I thought.
I walked over and tried to grab Tabitha's arm.
But she managed to evade me.
She looked at me coldly, there was no longer warmth or pity in her eyes, only caution.
She said, "Explain to me? Are you trying to push all the blame onto Miss Hythe?"
The mistrust in her tone struck a pang in my heart.