Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 157

Fern's Perspective

I walked heavily down the hallway, Vivian's words echoing in my mind: "You have to be careful. Things are more complicated than you think."

Why did she say that?

Her words left me with a vague sense of unease.

Standing outside Giovanni's office, I took a deep breath before pushing open the door. As I entered the room, a strange tension enveloped me, as if the air had turned to ice. The moment I stepped inside, an oppressive silence surrounded me. The wall sconce emitted a faint glow, casting a soft light on the male protagonist's silhouette, making his deep eyes even more elusive in the dimness.

He sat at the table, with papers and an untouched cup of coffee scattered before him. I couldn't help but frown; this wasn't what I had expected. There was an invisible weight in the air that made it hard to breathe.

"Something seems off," my wolf whispered in warning.

"What?" I asked.

"I sense danger," my wolf replied, ever perceptive to threats.

Her words only deepened my unease.

Giovanni slowly rose to his feet, a troubled expression clouding his brow. His steps were measured and deliberate, yet they felt heavier than usual. Although he wore a smile, it seemed more like a mask, concealing his true emotions.

"You're finally here," he said, his voice low and steady, each word carrying a subtle edge. "I've been waiting for you."

I forced myself to stay calm, despite the twinge of anxiety gnawing at me. "Sorry for the delay," I said, managing a smile that barely masked my nervousness. I knew that Giovanni was exceptionally good at detecting lies.

"Really?" He moved closer, each step resonating like a hammer on my heart. "Then explain why I sense something profoundly wrong?"

His proximity made my heart race as I struggled to maintain my composure.

"I heard you fainted. How are you feeling now?" My voice was soft and laced with concern, though it did little to conceal my inner turmoil.

Giovanni stood up gingerly, lifting his face to stare at me intently, as if trying to decipher something from my expression.

"Nothing, just some things I've been needing to sort out lately," Giovanni replied flatly.

"Is there something I can help with?" I asked carefully, trying to mask my inner anxiety with concern.

Giovanni, however, smiled coldly. "Tell me, what can you do to help me?"

I flinched slightly but quickly regained my composure. My fingers unconsciously clenched the corners of my coat, betraying my growing unease. "Actually, I think you might not need my help too much. I just want to make sure you're okay," I said softly.

"I actually do have some things to figure out about you, Little Tree. Or should I call you Fern?"

Giovanni's smile was faint as he stood up, his steps slow and deliberate.

My eyes widened at his words. "What did you say?"

Giovanni sneered and turned towards the corner of the study, hitting a hidden switch. The door to the room opened silently.

"What are you doing?" My voice trembled.

Giovanni didn't answer, just fixed his cold gaze on me.

Moments later, a familiar figure walked into the room.

It was the real Aurora, who had been waiting outside.

My heart sank as I realized the implications. All the lies, all the pretenses, were exposed at this moment.

"What's going on? What are you guys doing?" Aurora asked, her voice laced with confusion and anxiety.

Giovanni's gaze lingered on Aurora for a moment before turning back to me. Anger and disappointment flashed in his eyes, and I felt the intensity of his emotions like a cold blade. My lips trembled as I struggled to find words of explanation, but none came.

"You think you can keep hiding it?" he asked coldly, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Did you really think you could play with my feelings without consequences?"

I instinctively tried to defend myself, but I knew that no amount of explanation could conceal the truth. I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "You... No, I can explain."

"Explain?" he sneered. "I didn't think you'd use lies to win my affection." Giovanni's voice was cold and resolute. "Now tell me, what was your plan? What do you intend to do after you tricked me into falling in love with you?"

A jolt of shock surged through me, the intensity of the emotion almost overwhelming. I looked up at his face, contorted with anger and pain. Despite the inner conflict and struggle nearly suffocating me, I fought to remain composed and control my emotions as best I could.

"I...," my voice was barely audible. "I didn't mean to do that. But some things are beyond my control."

Giovanni's gaze was icy. "You're seeking revenge, aren't you? Make me fall in love with you, then you can control me, make me your puppet. Tell me, is that your plan?"

I finally couldn't hold back my tears. My fingers instinctively clung to Giovanni's sleeve, a feeble attempt to regain his trust.

"I... I can't explain all of this," I said, my voice tinged with helplessness and remorse. "But please believe that I never intended to hurt you."

Giovanni, however, regarded me coldly, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

"Unfortunately, your lies have been exposed," Giovanni said, his tone frigid. "Fern, my dear sister, tell me how should I punish you now?"

With that, he sat back behind his desk, his gaze still cold and unyielding.

The hatred in his eyes seemed almost palpable, threatening to consume me.