Chapter 214: Chapter 214 The Cold Shoulder
Author
Vanessa was furious. But Shane had given her an order, and she was not stupid enough to ignore it.
She called Quinn to complain.
Quinn laughed on the other end. "Do not fight the money, babe. Dominic is not someone you want as an enemy. Just apologize, get the deal done, and move on."
Vanessa caught something in her voice. "Quinn. Do you know Dominic Wolfe ?"
Quinn paused. "We met when he was overseas."
She did not mention the rest. That was not her story to tell.
But Vanessa was already putting it together. "Wait. That guy you told me about. The one you had a thing for. That was him, was not it?"
Quinn’s chest tightened. "He is married now. It does not matter."
"Right." Vanessa’s voice went cold. "And now his wife is the same woman who used to be Zack’s little secret. Funny how that works."
She did not say homewrecker. She did not have to. The implication was loud enough.
Quinn did not want her doing something stupid. "Do not make this bigger than it is. I had a crush. It was nothing."
"Sure. Do not worry. I will play nice tomorrow."
--
The next morning, Vanessa walked into Park Hotel Group with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"Elara. Sorry about the delay. Things have been crazy on my end. Our team looked over your file. Everything checks out."
She gestured at the people behind her. "I brought everyone. We can finish this today."
Elara raised an eyebrow. She had not expected this.
"Fine. I will have our CFO meet with your team."
She turned to leave.
"Elara." Vanessa’s voice stopped her. "Can we talk? Just for a minute. Your office."
Elara studied her for a second. Then she nodded once and walked toward her office without waiting for Vanessa to follow.
She sat down behind her desk. Did not offer Vanessa a seat.
"Five minutes."
Vanessa’s smile tightened. She closed the door and stood there. "Look. I am not going to pretend we are friends. But there was no need to run to your husband."
Elara leaned back in her chair. "Let me stop you right there. I did not run to anyone. I do not know what Dominic did, and I did not ask him to do it."
Vanessa’s eyes flickered. "Sure."
"You do not believe me." Elara shrugged. "That is your problem, not mine."
Vanessa’s jaw tightened. "Either way. Can you put in a good word with him about our contract?"
Elara smiled. It was not a warm smile. "Let me get this straight. You made me wait in a restaurant for two hours. You ignored my calls for a week. And now you want me to do you a favor?"
Vanessa’s face went red. "I am here, am I not? I brought my whole team."
"And I appreciate that. Truly." Elara stood up. "But do not come into my office, close my door, and accuse me of running to my husband. You do not know me. And based on how you have treated me so far, I do not think you want to."
She walked around her desk and opened the door.
"The team can handle the paperwork. If you need something from me personally, schedule a meeting through my assistant. I am sure you have her number by now."
Vanessa stood there for a second, caught between anger and embarrassment. Then she stepped toward the door.
But she stopped at the threshold. Turned back.
"By the way. Funny thing." She smiled, fake and sweet. "I just found out your husband knows my best friend. Really well, actually. And now that I think about it... you two look kind of similar around the eyes."
She let that hang in the air for a beat. Then she walked out.
Elara stood still for a moment. The door clicked shut.
Vanessa was trying to get under her skin. Plant a seed. Make her doubt.
And the worst part?
It worked. A little.
--
Elara got home just after five. Alpha Dominic was still at the office.
"Dinner is ready, Luna Elara ."
"Thanks, Linda."
Elizabeth had already eaten, so Elara sat down alone. She was picking at her food when she heard the front door open.
"Hey." Alpha Dominic walked in, loosening his tie. "Sorry I am late. Meeting ran long."
"Hey."
She did not look up.
He stopped. "You okay?"
"Fine."
He was not buying it. But he let it go.
She ate the rest of her dinner in silence. The question was still sitting in her throat. She had been thinking about it all day.
Quinn. Threeyears. Overseas.
She waited until he was done eating.
"Dominic."
"Yeah?"
"Quinn." She said it flat. "She was your rehab doctor. Threeyears. Just the two of you."
He went still. "Where is this coming from?"
"Vanessa Taylor brought it up today. Said you two know each other." She met his eyes. "So. Was there something there or not?"
He held her gaze. "No. She was my doctor. That is it."
"She is your friend now."
"She helped me. I am grateful. That all."
Elara stared at him for a long moment. Then she nodded.
"Okay."
She stood up and took her plate to the sink.
Alpha Dominic watched her. "That is it?"
"For now."
Later that night, Alpha Dominic walked into the bedroom and found the bed empty.
He checked the guest room. She was there, already under the covers, phone in hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Sleeping."
"In here?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
She looked up at him. "I need some space tonight."
He wanted to argue. But the look on her face told him it would not help.
"Fine. But we are talking about this tomorrow."
"Sure."
He stood there for a second. Then he turned and walked out.
He grabbed his phone and texted Vincent.
Dominic:[ Drinks. Now.]
Vincent: [It is 10 pm.]
Dominic: [I do not care.]
Vincent: [What did you do?]
Dominic[: Nothing. She is mad about something I did not do.]
Vincent: [Sounds like you did something.]
Dominic: [Are you coming or not?]
Vincent: [[Fine. But you are paying.]
Dominic: [Whatever.]
He grabbed his keys and headed out.
