Chapter 78: No Objections

Anthony didn’t hold back.The two slaps landed hard, sharp sounds cracking through the hall. This wasn’t a performance. His anger was real, heavy, and raw. Anyone could see it. Whatever respect he had for Lewis didn’t come from status alone it came from something deeper, something earned.

People liked to whisper that Lewis was powerful, especially beyond our borders. But whispers never told the full story. Anthony clearly knew more than most. The way his shoulders stayed tense, the way his voice lowered when he spoke to Lewis it all said one thing.

He had seen what Lewis was capable of.

Yenik, meanwhile, looked completely lost.

He had always believed that no matter how badly he messed up, his family would still protect him. Excuse him. Shield him.

That belief shattered in seconds.

"You ungrateful fool!" Anthony barked. "Mrs. Hale is far beyond your reach. Apologize. Now."

Still reeling, Yenik crawled toward me on his knees.

"Ri "

Smack.

Anthony struck him again.

"What did you just call her?" he demanded.

Yenik flinched, swallowing hard. "Mrs. Hale," he corrected quickly. "I I made a terrible mistake. I was misled. I lost my judgment. I sincerely apologize. Mr. Hale, I also regret the disgusting things I said about you. I spoke without thinking. Please... for my family’s sake. I swear I’ll never cross the line again."

I looked down at him.

His face was swollen. Bruised. Broken.

And yet... I felt something unexpected.

Pity.

It surprised me.

In another life, I had loved this man. I had given him everything my heart, my loyalty, my future. And in the end, I had died for someone who never deserved even a fraction of it.

That realization hit harder than his apology ever could.

"Get up," I said calmly.

Yenik stared at me, stunned.

The woman standing before him wasn’t the Riley he remembered. There was no love in my eyes. No pain. Just distance. The old Riley would’ve been trembling, torn apart by emotion.

She was gone.

Anthony turned to Lewis and bowed deeply. "Mr. Hale, my son has disgraced us. Whatever punishment you decide on, I will accept it without protest."

It was strange.

Anthony was a man of power himself, yet the way he spoke to Lewis felt... uneven. Like he was standing before someone higher in the order, someone whose authority didn’t need to be announced.

That was when it truly sank in.

Lewis’s reach went far beyond what most people understood.

Even I hadn’t fully realized it until now.

Lewis shifted his gaze, calm and steady, landing on Julian and Sera.

"Now," he said evenly, "tell me what’s going on between the two of you."

Julian looked exhausted. Hollow. Like a man who hadn’t slept or eaten or thought clearly since last night. The fire he once carried was gone.

He glanced at me, just briefly.

There was regret in his eyes. Maybe guilt. Maybe realization.

He probably knew by now that none of this had been accidental. That the chaos had followed a careful push. But it didn’t matter anymore. What was broken couldn’t be undone.

Between Camilla and Sera, the choice was obvious. Sera’s background still held value. And as for me... he knew he had lost me for good.

That door was sealed shut.

Julian turned back to Lewis. "Last night, I drank too much. I thought I was speaking to my late wife. I made a mistake. Uncle Lewis, I want to take responsibility. I will form a bond with Ms. Hudson."

I had to admit I was impressed.

He didn’t deny it. Didn’t blame the drugs. Didn’t lash out. It was the smartest move he could make.

Lewis nodded, then looked at Sera. "And you? What do you choose, Ms. Hudson?"

Sera stood gracefully, dressed to perfection. Calm. Composed. She lowered her eyes, cheeks warming as if shy.

"Since Julian and I have already crossed a line," she said softly, "I’m willing to become his mate."

Her voice was gentle.

The satisfaction behind it wasn’t.

Anthony’s expression darkened.

He hadn’t expected this. Not from his usually sensible daughter.

"Sera," he said, firm but careful, "have you truly thought this through? Julian lost his wife not long ago. If you step into the Hales now, people will talk. You’ll be judged."

He wasn’t wrong.

No father would willingly push his daughter into a situation this tangled especially when it involved a man like Lewis, whose power could protect... or destroy.

No one said it out loud, but the air made it clear no one believed Julian would ever hold real weight inside the Hale household. Not real authority. Not real control.

Still, Sera wasn’t foolish like her cousin Yenik. She knew exactly what kind of ground she was stepping onto.

"I’ve made my choice, Dad," she said softly. Her voice didn’t shake. "I’ve already crossed a line with Julian. I believe he’ll take responsibility and treat me properly."

Julian glanced at her.

There was no warmth in his eyes. No tenderness. But there was no irritation either. Just acceptance. Like this was another obligation added to his list.

"My wife hasn’t been gone long," he said quietly. "If this marriage happens, it’ll only be a legal one. No ceremony. No celebration."

Sera tightened her grip on his arm and smiled faintly. "I understand. I knew about Ms. Morrigans even when I was overseas. I respected her. She seemed kind."

She paused before continuing, carefully. "After I returned, I volunteered at her foundation. I admired the work she left behind. It’s tragic that she’s gone."

Julian stiffened.

It was subtle, but I caught it. A flicker of surprise crossed his face. He hadn’t expected that level of respect from her.

Across the room, Camilla sat rigid, fury burning through her stare as she looked at Sera. Everything she had planned every careful move had just collapsed in front of her eyes.

I couldn’t stop the small smile that curved my lips.

Life never follows a straight line.

Camilla really thought she could control everything forever. She forgot one thing I wasn’t the same woman anymore. I had already broken free of her grip. Now she wasn’t the one pulling strings.

She was just another piece on the board.

"Since Sera and Julian are both in agreement," I said lightly, "what do you think, Mr. Hales?"

All eyes turned to Jeffrey.

He had stayed silent the entire time. His gaze flicked to Lewis, then to me. The pause stretched before he finally spoke.

"If neither side objects," he said slowly, "then I won’t oppose it."

But the tension in his voice was obvious. He didn’t like this outcome. Not at all.

Once, James and his branch had held influence in the Hale pack. But that time was over. Lewis sat firmly at the top now. Even Jeffrey couldn’t challenge him anymore.

I didn’t know what thoughts were running through Jeffrey’s mind, but I knew one thing he didn’t approve of how Lewis and I handled things.

He wouldn’t understand.

He hadn’t lived through the lies. The betrayal. The way people had tried to break me and shape me for their own use. If anything, part of me felt we hadn’t gone far enough.

Lewis spoke again, his tone calm and final. "Since Ms. Hudson is willing, and Julian has accepted responsibility, the bond will be arranged. It’ll be a simple legal process. The Hales will handle it properly. And since this union connects our families, it makes sense for our businesses to work more closely as well."

Anthony’s expression changed instantly. Relief washed over his face as he nodded. "Of course. From today on, we’re family. The Hudsons are honored to stand with the Hales."

Lewis was good at this.

He knew how to balance control discipline with one hand, reward with the other.

Moments ago, Anthony had been worried. Julian held no real power. But now that Lewis had openly acknowledged the bond and offered a stronger alliance, those worries disappeared.

It didn’t matter that Julian was weak.

Lewis’s recognition was enough.

Then Lewis turned his attention elsewhere.

His gaze settled on Yenik.

"Now," he said evenly, "let’s talk about you and Ms. Camilla."