(Daisy's POV)

After leaving Alan's company, I refused to give up. I reached out to several of my father's old friends, only to face polite refusals. Some didn't even grant me a meeting.

Perhaps out of pity, one of them hinted with a sigh, "Daisy, it's not that I don't want to help you. It's just that I can't—and I dare not. Please understand."

I knew all too well what he meant. They were afraid of Alan. With his impending marriage to Lilith, everyone was bending over backward to stay on his good side.

And yet, just when despair had begun to suffocate me, a message arrived from Bella, my dearest friend.

[Let's meet at our usual café. You have to come.]

When I pushed open the café's glass doors, I saw her anxiously stirring her coffee. The moment her eyes found mine, she waved me over.

As soon as I sat down, she slid a bank card across the table toward me.

"Daisy, darling," she said, her voice warm and sincere, her gaze full of concern. "I heard about everything. You'll need money to hire a lawyer and gather evidence. Here's a million for you! Take it!"

"Bella..." I felt a lump in my throat, and tears pricked my eyes.

In a world where everyone else avoided me like I were a pariah, her gesture felt like sunshine breaking through a bitter winter chill, thawing the frozen corners of my heart.

But I pushed the card firmly back toward her.

Bella's husband was a hot-headed and stingy rich brat. She must have saved this money against great odds. If I accepted it, she would only suffer.

"Daisy, no!" Bella exclaimed, her frustration evident as she stamped her foot. A flicker of resignation crossed her face. "At least promise me you'll call me if you need anything."

I nodded, moved beyond words. Glancing around the room, she leaned in close, her brows knit in concern. "What's really going on between you and Alan?"

Pressing my lips together, I told Bella every detail, from the beginning to the bitter end.

"What?" Bella's eyes widened in rage. With a loud bang, she slammed her palm against the table, yelling, "What a bastard! I'm going to kill him!"

She started to get up, ready to storm out. I was startled and grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving her seat, I slid her coffee mug toward her. "Bella, calm down. Have this!"

Bella downed the coffee in one long gulp and barely calmed herself down as she put the cup down. Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she asked, "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. No one's willing to help me. Everyone's terrified of Alan's influence."

With a bitter smile, I took a sip of my coffee. Suddenly, Andrew's face flickered to life in my mind—sharp, striking, commanding. My heart skipped a beat.

"Maybe, in this entire London city," I ventured hesitantly, "only Andrew could help me."

Bella's eyes lit up. "Yes, Daisy! You should absolutely try!"

The doubt had already crashed in. "But he's Alan's uncle, Bella. And Alan's about to marry his rescuer's daughter. How would he help me?"

Very thrilled, Bella seized my hands, her grip fervent. "From what you've told me, Andrew is very interested in you. How can you know his answer if you don't even try?"

She leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I just so happen to know his upcoming schedule thanks to my husband. All you need to do is follow me."

...

Two days later, Bella whisked me off to Hill Manor—a posh haven for the elite. Even a single cup of tea here apparently cost thousands of dollars.

"You look stunning in this dress. It suits you perfectly," Bella said, circling me with a big smile. "Andrew will absolutely fall for you tonight."

"Isn't this a bit… too revealing?" Self-conscious, I tugged at the hem of the short, low-cut dress, its daring neckline exposing a generous glimpse of cleavage. The outfit was far from my usual modest, professional attire as a doctor. But Bella insisted I wear that, and I had no other choice.

"Not at all," Bella chided, grinning wickedly. "Men are visual creatures. Trust me. Besides, Andrew never attends these types of events. It's his first time coming here. I begged my husband for days to get us an invite. You can't let this opportunity slip away."

Before I could respond, the grand doors of Hill Manor swung open, and Andrew strode in, his steps measured and deliberate.

He was dressed in a black trench coat. His chiseled features were absent of any discernible emotion, yet his sheer presence seemed to siphon the air from the room. The other immaculately groomed men in the hall faded into irrelevance, mere backdrops to his commanding form.

But then, my gaze shifted behind him, and I froze. Alan was here, too.

His eyes found mine almost immediately, and they slipped down to the plunge of my neckline. His face darkened like a gathering storm.

Bella's shock was evident. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Alan's never been important enough to get into places like this."

Her tone turned apologetic. "I swear I had no idea he'd show up."

I bit my lip, frustration bubbling inside me.

Alan's presence was an unwelcome shadow over my plans, derailing any hope of getting close to Andrew tonight.

In the hall, those aristocrats and heirs, who were usually aloof, tripped over themselves to curry favor with Andrew. Even Alan, who was often overlooked, found himself surrounded by greetings due to his relationship with Andrew.

"Enough!" Andrew cut them off with a wave of his hand, his voice languid. "Isn't tonight about the hunt? Save your energy for the black bear in the woods."

The group obediently nodded, following Andrew toward the rear of the manor. As he passed by, his eyes caught on mine. For one electrifying second, his glance lingered, a single brow arching in subtle intrigue.

My heart kicked against my ribs. The long-dormant wolf within me seemed to stir for a short while.

Was it my imagination?

I didn't dare believe it.