Chapter 5

"Oh, darling, you make me so happy—"

"Give me back my sight," Aurelie interrupted him, voice soft but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, "I saved your son, and I paid for it with my eyes. This debt must be repaid."

The room fell silent. All eyes were on Reynolds, awaiting his answer.

Reynolds swallowed hard.

Aurelie's calm words struck Reynolds like thunder.

He felt like a criminal awaiting sentencing, with all eyes in the room fixed on him, waiting to see what decision he'd make.

His back was drenched in cold sweat, fists clenched so tightly they turned white, but he couldn't utter a single word.

His mind filled with accounts from the past few years—Damon perfumes had stagnated for far too long. Sales hadn't collapsed, but they hadn't increased either. The company was barely making ends meet, barely covering employee salaries, R&D expenses, and raw material costs—no profit to speak of, let alone a "revival." None of the perfumers could produce a truly unique new formula, and sales of several older products had even started declining, deemed outdated and mediocre by the market.

"Moonlight Vision" was Damon's only chance to turn things around—and this card was held by a blind omega.

Reynolds still couldn't understand how something so important had fallen into her hands. But she really had taken that blow for Matthew in that accident, which was why she went blind. Even for the sake of the formula, he couldn't bring himself to let his own son lose an eye in exchange.

He took Aurelie's hand and squeezed it gently. "Aurelie, please, can we—"

Aurelie withdrew her hand, sweet smile still on her face.

She knew perfectly well Reynolds would never actually trade Matthew's eyes for hers, nor would he ever relinquish his obsession with "Moonlight Illusion." She just wanted to see who the father and son would bite first when cornered.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reynolds," Aurelie said, "but my request is reasonable, isn't it? You want something precious that's mine, and I want something precious you should give me—because I lost it helping your son."

Her tone was calm, but every word was like a whip lashing Reynolds' and Matthew's faces.

"And also, Mr. Reynolds," Aurelie paused, "I don't mean to embarrass you, but I'm now Mr. Vincent Keegan's legal wife. This means the formula for 'Moonlight Illusion' will belong to the Keegan family. After all, you said I should be loyal to my husband and his family, didn't you?"

The room was deathly silent. Reynolds' face was ashen, Matthew's no better.

Matthew sauntered over to Reynolds and reached out to pat his father on the shoulder. "Dad, I think we should—"

Reynolds suddenly turned around and punched him to the ground with such force it almost broke bones.

Fiora saw Matthew being hit, covered her face and tried to rush over, but Caroline held her wrist tightly, preventing her from getting close.

"You bastard! You've caused such a huge mess, I'll never forgive you! You want to marry Fiora? Don't even think about it!" Reynolds cursed.

Aurelie smelled the scent of pine and cedar even closer than before, almost enveloping her entirely.

Vincent walked up to her. He simply raised his hand and firmly gripped her waist, the force not strong but carrying an undisguised declaration.

"Honey," he whispered, voice so soft only she could hear, "are you alright?"

Aurelie looked up. She couldn't see him, but she could recognize him perfectly by his scent and the feel of his hands. That familiarity was like instinct, rising from beneath her skin and gradually easing the tension that had gripped her all night.

She didn't answer, but instead followed his lead and moved slightly closer, giving him her weight.

Vincent looked down at her, a gentleness in his eyes he himself didn't realize. He'd never had much patience for the word "possession," but at this moment, he clearly felt the wolf within him growling—this was his woman, and he was going to take her away from this house, from these people, from this entire place where she'd spent the whole night crying and acting.

"Let's go," he said, tone leaving no room for argument yet gentle only toward her. "Or do you want to watch this farce a little longer?"

A slight smile curved Aurelie's lips. "No need, I've seen enough."

Vincent tightened his grip slightly, half-leading and half-protecting her as they turned and walked toward the door. Aurelie used Vincent's arm as a walking stick. She let his large hand rest firmly on her waist as they walked out of the banquet, leaving behind curious stares.

A cool breeze blew, and Aurelie realized her shoulders, tense for too long, had finally relaxed.

Vincent turned his head to look at her—this woman who'd only nominally "married" him, slender in stature, yet who amid the malice filling the room had everyone completely manipulated.

He took a deep breath, her delicate, sweet scent lingering around his nose—rose, mixed with a hint of baby powder's softness, and a faint trace of vanilla. For some reason, the scent felt strangely familiar, as if he'd smelled it many years ago in some hazy corner of memory.

"Thank you," Aurelie said softly. As soon as she reached the car, her fingers slid off his arm.

Vincent glanced at the spot where she'd just touched him—empty now. Interesting—most women would try to hold him a few seconds longer, but she seemed eager to get away.

A smile played on his lips. "Leaving already?" he drawled. "I've only just begun enjoying being a guide dog."

Aurelie chuckled. "As a guide dog, you've been quite attentive, Mr. Vincent."

"Yeah, that's true," he said, opening the passenger door for her with a hint of self-deprecation, "being used, flattered, and then kicked aside."

"I didn't do that."

"You're lying."

When he said it, his tone was much softer than expected. "Well, this is new," Varne lazily thought to himself.

"What?"

"You never use this spoiled tone when accusing someone of lying. Keep this up and you'll be wagging your tail in no time."

Meanwhile, in the Damon family's banquet hall, Fiora shook off Caroline's hand and quickly walked to Matthew, still lying on the ground.

"Vincent Keegan," she shouted bitterly in the direction the two had left, voice filled with jealousy and resentment, "even if you got the 'Moonlight Illusion' formula from Aurelie, I dare say you can't accomplish anything—you're nothing but a good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat, drink, and be merry!"

No one answered her. She grew increasingly agitated, turning to Reynolds and the room full of guests, shouting, "I'm telling you, the formula Aurelie has is completely fake! She made it up just to marry Matthew—this useless omega is only an embarrassment to have at home!"

She knelt down and gently hugged Matthew. "Don't worry, darling, they won't get anything. I'll personally make 'Moonlight Illusion' and make sure you're all in the spotlight."

After letting go, she quickly sent a message to her assistant, asking her to investigate someone.

As for who she was investigating, no one knew.