Chapter 251
Elle’s POV
I watched Harper Blair stumble down from the small aircraft, dust and exhaustion written across her face.
“Harper!” I called out, rushing toward her. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay out there?”
Harper wiped her brow and accepted a glass of water from one of the servants, draining it in one gulp before meeting my eyes. Her expression was grim.
“No, Elle. Everything is definitely not okay.” She set down the empty glass with shaking hands. “The Blair family’s entire business empire has been under complete siege for three days.”
My heart plummeted. “What do you mean, siege?”
“I mean someone with serious power and resources decided to destroy us systematically,” Harper explained, her voice hoarse. “They cut off our partnerships with other enterprises and bought out our suppliers at prices we couldn’t match. Whoever did this knew exactly how to hit us where it would hurt most.”
Martin appeared beside us, his face pale as he processed Harper’s words. “That’s impossible. The Blair family might not be the wealthiest family, but we’re hardly defenseless. How could this happen so quickly?”
Stella emerged from the tent, immediately sensing the tension. “Harper, what’s going on? Why does everyone look like someone died?”
Harper’s laugh was bitter. “Because something did die. Our position in Moon Lake City.” She gestured toward the boxes being unloaded from the aircraft. “1 managed to salvage our most important ancient texts and family heirlooms, but aside from the secret chambers beneath our ancestral estate, everything else
is lost.”
“This makes no sense,” I whispered, my mind racing. The ruthless efficiency, the surgical precision of the attack – it all sounded disturbingly familiar. “Harper, who’s behind this? You must have some idea.”
Harper shook her head in frustration. “That’s the most infuriating part. I’ve been trying to investigate this consortium for days, but they’ve left no traces. They appeared out of nowhere and struck with perfect coordination.”
Martin sank into a nearby chair, the color draining from his face entirely. “Our suppliers… our partnerships… everything we built over generations…
Martin suddenly turned toward Eleanor, his eyes sharp with realization. “Mother, how did you know to prepare for this? The construction materials, the equipment, transferring our assets – you started planning this move weeks ago.”
Eleanor met her son’s gaze calmly. “I did indeed begin preparations early.”
“But how could you have known?‘ Martin pressed. “Unless…” His voice trailed off as understanding dawned.
Eleanor set down her teacup with deliberate precision. “Have you all forgotten the ancient prophecy so quickly? The Blair bloodline will fall under werewolf rule, yet rise again in this generation. We’ve simply reached the falling part.”
Eleanor stood, her expression resolute. “Since you’re all here now, I’m making this official. The Blair family is permanently relocating to this island. We’ll remain here for several years before we have any chance of returning to the North American mainland. When we do return, it will mark the beginning of the
Blair family’s true resurgence.”
“We’ll need to make do with island life for now,” she continued. “Supply boats will bring necessities from nearby cities. I strongly recommend that none of you leave the island unless absolutely necessary.”
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Chapter 251
I shot to my feet. “No. I’m going back.”
I have to go back, I said, my voice steadier now. I won’t hide here while everything falls apart.”
Eleanor studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “I won’t stop you. Just remember your identity and your responsibilities. Her gaze sharpened. “Raymond is still in Moon Lake City. You should spend time with him.”
I felt my body stiffen at the mention of Raymond’s name.
Harper looked at me with something approaching gratitude. ‘Actually, Elle, Raymond’s help was crucial this time. Without his intervention, I wouldn’t have
been able to save even these final assets.”
Stella stood up decisively. “I’m coming with you. I won’t let you face this alone.”
We didn’t linger on the island. Within hours, Stella and I were on a plane back to Moon Lake City, the weight of unanswered questions pressing down on me
with each mile.
The moment we landed, I felt it – the electric tension in the air, the sense that everything had changed. Even the human communities seemed different, people clustering in small groups, whispering among themselves.
The news was everywhere. Every website, every local newspaper, every social media feed carried the same shocking headline: “The Blair Family Falls.”
“How is this real?” Stella whispered beside me. “Three days. Just three days, and everything changed.”
The sound of an approaching car made us turn. A sleek Cadillac pulled up, and Raymond Carter stepped out, his movements graceful and controlled. When his eyes found mine, his entire expression softened.
“Mrs. Blair. Elle.” He approached us with obvious concern, following our gaze to the sealed gates. “I’m sorry you had to see this.”
His jaw tightened. “I promise you, I won’t let anyone simply buy this property out from under your family. The Carter family still has significant influence in the human community – I’ll find a way to protect this estate.”
‘It’s not your fault,” Stella said quietly. “Maybe this was just… meant to be.”
But I wasn’t ready to accept that explanation. I fixed Raymond with a direct stare. “You have resources, connections. You can find out who did this, can’t
you?‘
Raymond’s hesitation was brief, but I caught it. Instead of answering directly, he changed the subject. “I have a house in the city center. You and your mother should stay there while we sort this out.”
“That’s not necessary,‘ I said quickly. ‘We can manage with a hotel.”
But Raymond was already giving instructions to his assistant. “Book two suites at the Moon Lake City Grand Hotel.”
“Please,” he added, turning back to us. “Let me handle the accommodations. Given the Blair family’s current situation, there might be complications if you try to book luxury accommodations yourselves.”
Stella nodded reluctantly. He was right – our family name might now carry more risk than respect in certain circles.
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Chapter 251
“It’s getting late, Raymond continued. “You must both be hungry. I’ve prepared dinner, and I have some information to share with you both
Raymond had chosen an exceptionally private restaurant, the dining room elegant but secluded. The food was exquisite, but neither Stella nor I had any appetite. We needed answers more than sustenance.
Raymond sat across from us, his fingers steepled on the white tablecloth.
Raymond leaned forward slightly. “Elle, the one who destroyed your family’s empire isn’t some unknown enemy.”
My hands gripped the edge of the table.
“It was your mate. Brad Rayne.”
The world tilted. I shot to my feet so suddenly my chair nearly toppled backward, my face draining of all color.
“That’s impossible!” I shouted, my voice cracking.
“No,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “It can’t be Brad.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
