Chapter 7

The news that I was hosting a charity auction hit Mooncrest City's elite circles like a stone tossed into a restless pond, sparking waves of gossip and excitement among the city's noble she-wolves.

The invitations were crafted with exquisite taste: pale blue paper, each card written in elegant script, reading "Savor rare treasures, share old stories over tea," and signed simply as "Charlotte Sinclair."

There were no flowery words, no excessive embellishments, only a subtle air of aloofness and prestige.

These invitations were sent only to the mates of high-ranking Alphas and to a handful of merchants with royal charters. Any she-wolf who received one was instantly recognized as a heavyweight in Mooncrest City's social scene.

Rumors spread like wildfire, and speculation was everywhere.

"Did you hear? Charlotte Sinclair is selling off her mating gifts."

"Not only her mating gifts. Word is, she's even putting up her late mother's precious heirlooms for sale."

"Wait, what? Whitevale is one of the wealthiest packs in the kingdom. How did things get so bad?"

"You haven't heard? After Stonecrest Pack broke off the union, Edward was so furious that he had the entire mating gift procession sent back, and even ordered the gift from Stonecrest Pack returned as well."

"There was a lot of real gold and land deeds in those groom's gifts. After all that drama, Whitevale Pack got their pride back, but now their cash flow must be seriously tight."

"Honestly, I feel sorry for Charlotte. She used to be the golden she-wolf of the city, but thanks to William and Emily, she's been dragged through the mud. Now she's forced to sell her mother's keepsakes to get by. It's heartbreaking."

Whether the rumors were true or not, whether they came from pity or for the spectacle, every single word made its way to my ears.

I gave a faint, indifferent smile as I continued updating the auction list, making sure the Moonstone Tea Set was placed right at the top, front and center for every wolf to see.

I started this whole storm of gossip myself. Now it was spreading exactly the way I planned, getting hotter every day.

What I wanted was "pity." The lower I positioned myself, the weaker I appeared, and the more every wolf would turn their anger toward Stonecrest Pack instead of me.

Shaw Manor had finally caught wind of the news.

The gossip came from Daisy's niece from her side of the pack. She hadn't received an invitation herself, but she picked up the story at another pack's gathering and couldn't wait to spill it to Daisy, adding plenty of drama along the way.

She said, "Aunt Daisy, you have no idea! The whole city's talking about it. They say Charlotte is so mad at you and William that she sent back all the mating gifts, and now she's so broke that she can barely keep the kitchen running.

"She's even selling off her mating gifts and family heirlooms. And get this, she's putting up some Moonstone Tea Set for sale, claiming it's her mother's most treasured possession."

Daisy paused for a moment, and then a look of disdain spread across her face.

"See? I knew she was only bluffing. Does she really think her father can protect her forever, even if he's the Duke of Whitevale? Now she finally knows what it's like to be broke. Serves her right," she sneered.

Daisy was busy basking in her own satisfaction, completely oblivious to Emily, who was massaging her legs nearby. The moment Emily heard the words "Moonstone Tea Set," her whole body froze, and a hungry light blazed in her eyes.

She remembered seeing the tea set listed among my mating gifts, a set of porcelain so thin that it was almost translucent, each cup painted with the Moon Goddess.

It was a masterpiece from a legendary artisan, a priceless treasure that couldn't be bought, no matter the price.

Emily had dreamed of owning it. But it wasn't only about its beauty or rarity. The real lure was that it belonged to me, a keepsake from my late mother.

If Emily could get William to buy it and present it to her, it would be the ultimate humiliation for me, a victory sweeter than anything else.

Emily spent the entire day restless and distracted.

When night fell and William came to check on her, he found her sitting by the window, tears streaming down her face in the glow of a single lonely lamp.

William's voice was gentle but tired as he asked, "Emily, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" These days, being confined at home had worn him down, and the only place he could find a moment of peace was here with Emily.

Emily turned around, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at him and shook her head. "No... I'm fine, Will. Really. It's just... I heard some rumors going around outside, and I can't help but feel sorry for Charlotte."

She paused, her voice soft and cautious. "I heard that she's going to sell her mother's keepsakes. Among them is the Moonstone Tea Set, the one she treasures most. I remember you once said that the tea set is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

"Charlotte must be really desperate for money to make such a heartbreaking choice. It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have to..."

Emily's words felt like needles, piercing right into William's heart.

Of course, he remembered the Moonstone Tea Set. He could still recall the moment he saw the mating gift list, joking with me, "Emily loves white porcelain. When she sees this tea set, she'll be so jealous."

I'd only smiled gently and said, "This is my mother's keepsake. I'll treasure it for the rest of my life."

I'd said so, but now, I was forced to sell it.

William's heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible claw, the pain so intense that he could hardly breathe. He knew I was doing this on purpose.

Seeing William's face turn pale, Emily knew the moment was right. She gently tugged at his sleeve, her voice tinged with both pleading and longing.

"Will, I... I only think it would be such a waste if a treasure like that ended up with someone who doesn't truly appreciate its beauty. It's so exquisite. It deserves to be cherished by a wolf who understands its worth."

She never said it directly, but every word carried an unspoken message.

William stared at her face, so full of longing, and felt a war raging inside him. He knew this was my scheme, a trap designed to force him, in front of all of Mooncrest City, to make a choice once again.

Going would mean walking straight into humiliation. Not going, he couldn't bear to face Emily's tear-filled eyes.

In the end, he made up his mind. Exhausted, he closed his eyes and nodded.

"I understand. I'll be there on the day of the charity auction," he said.