~Ella~

I sneered. "Caden? I didn't know he had friends like you."


"You don't believe me?" Blake challenged. "Are you forcing me to call him?"

The manager visibly panicked and turned to glare at me. "You're still laughing? Apologize to these VIP guests immediately!"

"What?" I was stunned. "They're obviously lying. I didn't do anything wrong."


The woman jabbed her long red nails on the table, knocking over food. "It's not that simple. I want her to lick the floor clean, like a dog!"

"In your dreams!" I shot back.


The manager grabbed my neck and pushed me toward the floor. "Lick it up now! This is what you get for offending our VIP guests!"

Suddenly, the manager was kicked and sent flying, a black footprint left on his white shirt.

It was Caden, his face dark with anger. "Who do you think you are?"

"I came for an inspection and witnessed quite a show. Is this how you protect your employees?"

Caden examined my neck, stroking it gently. "Are you hurt?"

I shrank back slightly and shook my head. The manager clutched his waist in pain and pointed. "Who are you?"

"Caden Warwick."

"What?" The manager looked terrified. Blake laughed loudly. "Ella, you're something else. You found some random guy to impersonate Caden? I'm his friend—I know what he looks like!"

The manager stood up angrily. "You dare impersonate Mr. Warwick? I'm calling the police and having you thrown out."

Marcus approached and spoke quietly. "I've checked, Alpha. This man just owns a small company."

"Then let's make him bankrupt," Caden said casually.

"Bankrupt? Hahaha! Do you really think you're Caden? I'm standing right here—just try it!"

I closed my eyes helplessly.

Marcus stepped away. In less than a minute, Blake's phone rang. "What? They've withdrawn the investment?"

The previously smug woman turned pale. "You really are Caden!"

Blake dropped to his knees. "I'm sorry, Mr. Warwick! I'll never dare again. I-I'll lick the plates right away."

"Honey, what are you doing?" The woman turned to Caden. "Mr. Warwick, you don't need to defend this slut. She had a child with some random man in college. She's trash!"

Caden grabbed the woman's throat. "Shut up. I am the child's father—the 'random man' you're referring to."

The woman's face showed pure horror. She collapsed to the ground as the hotel owner rushed over.

"I'm sorry, Alpha Caden. I'm late." The owner glared fiercely at the stunned manager.

Caden wiped his fingers with a handkerchief. "Take care of this trash before coming upstairs to discuss the investment."

The farce finally ended. Just as Caden was about to speak, a waiter rushed over. "Head chef, we're swamped with orders."

I glanced at Caden uncertainly. He smiled. "Go ahead. I'll head upstairs. If anyone else gives you trouble, come find me."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He seemed about to say more but stopped himself, rubbed his nose, and left.

This was the first time I'd seen him in days, and I hadn't expected him to leave so soon. I felt a pang of disappointment.

The manager, now recovered, quickly called security. "Someone come quickly and throw these scammers out!"

"Sir, the trash has been cleaned up," he said, bowing obsequiously to the owner.

The owner snorted coldly. "There's still one piece of trash left. You're fired."

"Customers are important, but without evidence, we must protect our employees' rights and dignity."

The next second, security dragged the manager out as well.

"Sir, let me explain!" he protested.

The owner turned to me with a sigh. "I'm sorry for the trouble, Miss Ella. From today on, you are the manager."

I waved my hands frantically. "No, please don't do this just because of Caden. I prefer being head chef."

"To be honest, I'm also a werewolf. Rumors say the Alpha will propose to his mate on the full moon. In the past, he never participated in investment matters."

"But this time he personally came to invest in our hotel—it must be because of you. I should thank you for that."

Me?

He came specifically to see me!

Does this mean he misses me too?

"Who else could be the mate he'll announce, if not you? Our Alpha has never loved someone this much."

The owner left with a smile. Even at the end of my shift, I couldn't stop thinking about his words.

My emotions were still in turmoil. I exhaled deeply and had just started walking out when I saw Caden's Cayenne. He stood wearing a black coat, leaning against the car, checking his watch. When he saw me, he smiled tenderly.