The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 260: Hannah's Provocation

Cindy's POV:

Staring at that extremely tacky yet extremely useful gold bracelet, I burst out laughing. Halfway through, my eyes started to sting with tears.

Yeah. That was exactly Oliver's style.

He looked elegant on the outside, but he saw everything clearly. He knew exactly what I'd lived through. He was afraid I'd fall into poverty again, afraid someone would grab me by the purse strings.

That thing wasn't jewelry. It was a safety rope he quietly handed me.

I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist. It was heavy, pressing against the bone, but it gave me a strange sense of stability I hadn't felt in years.

"Duchess Spencer?"

Just as I was about to leave, a cautious voice called out behind me.

I turned around and saw an elderly woman wrapped in a dark brown cloak.

She lowered her hood, showing a face worn by time but still full of dignity.

It was Barbara, the former Luna of the Blackstone Pack.

"Mrs. Barbara?" I was taken aback, yet I still inclined my head politely. "What a coincidence."

"Not at all." Barbara gave a crooked smile. "I came here on purpose. I heard Mr. Silva left today, so I guessed you'd stop by."

She glanced at the noisy crowd nearby. "Duchess Spencer, could we speak somewhere quiet? Before Carrie marries into the Duskfang Pack, there are some things I need to make clear to you."

We found a quiet café close by and took a private room.

The coffee smelled rich and warm, but Barbara's expression was gloomier than the gray sky outside.

"First, congratulations, Duchess Spencer," she said slowly. "Marrying His Highness is a fine match. Our Blackstone Pack is far away, but we've prepared a small gift. It'll arrive at your estate in a few days."

"Thank you," I replied evenly. "But that's not why you're here, is it?"

"Yeah." Barbara sighed, cupping her cup like she needed the warmth. "I came because of Carrie and ... James."

She looked up, her eyes full of mixed feelings. "Duchess Spencer, we took your words to Carrie that day seriously. You said James was a capable general. That helped her calm down.

"She's always resisted this marriage. She thinks marrying a man who abandoned his wife for his ex and then ditched his ex for profit is shameful. But what you said made her believe that at least he's useful on the battlefield, not completely worthless."

I nodded. "I only told the truth."

"But..." Barbara's voice dropped, heavy and tense. "Things have changed these past few days. A girl from the Duskfang Pack, Hannah, keeps showing up at our hotel."

"Hannah?" I frowned.

"Yes." Disgust flickered across Barbara's face. "She pretends she's just there to chat with Carrie, but every word is meant to provoke.

"She keeps saying that you never stopped loving James."

Barbara met my eyes and spoke carefully, "She says you left the Duskfang Pack to force James to hold on to you. That you fought so hard in Southreach just to catch his attention. That you're marrying Prince Adam not for love, but for revenge—to make James regret everything and feel jealous.

"She says James is still the only one in your heart. That if he so much as curls a finger, you'll rush back like before and throw everything away for him.

"So she warned Carrie to stay alert, because you'll come back sooner or later to steal her man."

Barbara finished speaking and studied my face closely, as if searching for a crack of guilt or hesitation.

I listened quietly, even lifting my cup to take a slow sip.

"Mrs. Barbara."

I set the cup down, a sharp, mocking smile tugging at my lips.

"Do you believe any of that?"

Barbara hesitated. "I ... I'm not sure. You were once destined mates. That kind of bond doesn't just disappear because someone says it does."

"Alright." I nodded calmly. "Then I'll say out loud what Madam Carrie doesn't dare admit to herself."