Chapter 178

[Cecilia’s POV]

There was not a single thing that went on in this manor that I was not aware of.

My title as Mrs. Winslow came with an insurmountable amount of influence and power that many could only dream of. However, my marriage to Aaron was far from perfect.

Our union was nothing more than an arrangement—the two of us never really saw eye to eye.

I was a traditionalist whereas Aaron was an opportunist. There was a reason why the Winslow family had remained in high-standing power and society for so many decades—our ruthlessness and ability to do whatever was necessary to preserve our place.

Sometimes that meant having to get our hands dirty...Especially, when it meant getting the best of what we deserved.

I had purposely matched Arthur with Olivia Jones because her family’s values aligned perfectly with ours. What did it matter if they weren’t fated mates?

Olivia knew how to properly carry herself in society and would never purposely cause waves. When word got back to me that my son had been seen talking and hanging around a certain human girl, I was ready to laugh hysterically.

There was simply no way—no way that my Arthur would ever be caught with a basic human.

I raised him better than that.

But, nonetheless, I had to put such rumors to rest and see for myself if such a moronic thing was true. And sure enough, when Parents’ Weekend rolled around, I came face-to-face with that snarky little bitch. Ella Belmont.

I should have known that she would have been a problem the moment I heard her last name. Belmont. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why that name sounded so familiar to me. Then the thought hit me.

Michael Belmont.

The very thought of that man sent a disgruntled shiver down my spine.

I’d taught my son to keep away from humans entirely since they’re considered useless and a potential risk to the bloodline.

But Ella Belmont kept popping up in conversation everywhere I went to the point where I just had to meet her for myself. I was not impressed nor was I able to understand the girl’s appeal.

Clearly, she’s an attention seeker who hangs around Alpha just to make herself feel important.

A girl of such inconsequence has no part in our world.

I truly tried to put her out of my mind, especially when I had so many other important things to deal with—like trying to ensure that Arthur becomes the next leader of the Winslow family.

The mere thought that Aaron would consider Liam as a possible heir to inherit everything, made me seriously believe that man had gone mad.

I didn’t care if Liam was still considered to be Aaron’s son, that didn’t make him a Winslow. He didn’t have a single ounce of the teachings and disciples that were instilled into Arthur. Arthur was born to become the true successor.

Unfortunately, the elders in the family were not pleased with the way Arthur’s team lost during the last hockey season. He was supposed to display his physical strength and capability.

No matter, there will always be a chance for him to prove his intelligence.

Arthur’s been an ongoing straight-A student since elementary school. I couldn’t imagine Liam being able to surpass him in that as well.

At least with that, I was able to ease my worries and focus on something more productive and worth my time. However, that had become rather difficult since I noticed a pair of Aaron’s guards hauling Ella Belmont through the front halls of the manor.

What the hell is going on?

I sort of understood why Aaron would want Liam’s attendance. But I couldn’t fathom why the human girl would spark an interest in the man.

Perhaps, he’s finally doing the right thing by putting a stop to the ridiculous relationship his son has gotten himself involved in.

Call it immature, but my curiosity got the better of me. When no one was around, I snuck up near the office doors and leaned in to listen.

My eyes grew wide when I heard the tone in which Ella was speaking to Aaron. She was bold, either that or she was clearly stupid.

No one, not even the elders in the family has ever spoken to him in such a manner. My curiosity continued to grow. What had Aaron done that would elicit such a reaction?

She was direct, commanding, and sharp. And not a single word was stuttered or jumbled in her speech.

Well, for what’s worth, I suppose I could give her points for daringness.

“Damnit,” I hissed under my breath when I heard someone trudging down the hallway.

I quickly snuck into the nearest room and watched as Liam came storming in. I waited for him to barge into Aaron’s office before resuming position at the door.

I did my best to hear what they were saying, still having no idea why Aaron would have brought Ella in. What kept hearing was the word ‘pictures’ being thrown.

Would it have anything to do with that strange minella envelope I saw Aaron carrying the day before?

Of course, I was curious as to what was inside of it. Normally, he did all of his business through the computer so we very rarely had things delivered to the house.

I waited for Liam and Ella to leave and for Aaron to head to another part of the manor before slipping into his office. I carefully and diligently checked around the place in search of that same beige folder I saw earlier.

“It has to be here somewhere...” I said low to myself.

I searched the drawers and all the filing cabinets, and suddenly, I remembered a special hiding place within Aaron’s desk that was meant for very important documents.

I ran my finger under the panel of the desk until I came upon a small hidden button. Once I pressed it, a secret latch opened, revealing the very same envelope I had seen.

A thrill of excitement and achievement raced through me.

I tried not to let my thoughts get carried away as I opened the fold at the top and carefully took out the pictures.

My heart dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. All of these photos, every single one of them, were of Arthur and Ella.

Aside from my blatant confusion, I was filled with an insatiable river of rage. There was no mistaking that the feelings Arthur had toward this human were genuine. The way he looked at her was proof enough that he was enamored with her.

There was no viable way that she could have captivated my son and robbed him blind of his own inhibitions.

But that smile on his face...I haven’t seen it since he was a child.

And, yet, this nobody was able to bring this side of Arthur out. Why? How?!

I flipped through the photos as though I was going to find the answer within them. There was only one photo that captured my attention, one of which looked like it was taken at some kind of pool. My eyes narrowed in on the blurry birthmark on Ella’s lower abdomen and it sent my blood running cold.

“No. That’s impossible. How could someone like her bear the mark?”

Was that why Aaron had her there? So that he could confirm her blood relation to the Moon Wolf Pack?

Suddenly, it all started to click in my mind as to why Arthur brought up the topic in general.

A new inspired thought rushed to the front of my mind. I called out for one of my maids.

“Call the Administration at Eastwood,” I told her. “Have them set up a meeting with my son.”