Mated to my sister’s ugly mate

Alpha Kilian gazed at her flushed countenance, yet his countenance remained impassive. “Are you in trouble?”

His voice was composed, but for those who listened intently, they would discern the concealed apprehension in his tone. It could have melted the heart of any woman. But Shadow was not just any woman.

Shadow clenched her blanket and responded coldly, “None of your business.”

However, her frigid expression held no threat for him. Though his composure did not waver much, a flicker of anger briefly flashed in his eyes.

“Indeed, it is none of my concern. But if you were to beseech me, I might contemplate extending my assistance.” Alpha Kilian regarded her indifferently. If looks could kill, she would have been buried six feet under.

Nevertheless, Shadow would never implore him.

Alpha Kilian glanced at her deeply, then turned and departed.

He had taken but a few steps when he encountered Frank. Frank clutched a tablet close to his chest. And from his countenance, it seemed as though he had a question to ask. “What is your desire?”

Frank stood before him and inquired, “Boss, what are we to do about the rumors surrounding Madame? Shall we hold a press conference or should I contact the media…?”

Alpha Kilian recollected Shadow’s words, chuckled coldly, and sneered, “What concern is it of mine? Even if I were to aid her, she must desire my assistance. Ah!”

Alpha Kilian shook his head and proceeded to his study.

Frank observed his retreating figure and realized that the boss’s final ‘Ah’ held a shred of resignation. For so long, the young man seemed indifferent to matters of the heart. Yet now, it appeared that he was finally being affected by something. Interesting days lay ahead, it seemed.

…

Shadow had no intention of being bothered by the gossip on social media. Instead, her thoughts shifted to the Eden family after hearing Jessica’s words.NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

She couldn’t fathom why Jessica had done this suddenly. Hadn’t she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with a cripple like Alpha Kilian? Or did she have ulterior motives regarding these articles?

Shadow sneered coldly. She couldn’t be bothered to speculate.

All she cared about now was that Hazel was already aware that Shadow had replaced Jessica as the wife of the Lances family. And Hazel might very well tear her to shreds.

Just as she pondered this, she received a text from Hazel. The contents were simple, just the name of a cafe – ‘Golden Sunlight’ at the Pack center.

“Sooner than I expected,” she muttered, preparing to depart for the meeting place.

Even if Hazel intended to tear her apart, Shadow still had to find Hazel.

The location they chose to meet was a relatively secluded cafe. There weren’t many people around, making it perfect for a meeting without attracting attention.

After all, Hazel was a minor actress with a following of seven to eight hundred fans. She would naturally be concerned about being recognized in public.

When Shadow arrived at the cafe, Hazel was already present.

Hazel wore a mask on her face, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and she donned a simple white jacket. She appeared neat and tidy. Coupled with her unique beauty, all eyes turned in her direction.

Hazel had always been this way since she was young. She naturally drew attention wherever she went. Some wondered why such a beautiful girl would be friends with an unattractive oaf like Shadow. But it never affected their close bond.

Shadow took a seat opposite her and greeted with a tone of apology. “Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Hazel crossed her arms and reclined in her chair. She locked eyes with Shadow and spoke slowly, “You are the young mistress of the Lances family. Someone like me should not keep you waiting.”

Shadow “…”

Witnessing Shadow’s speechlessness, Hazel finally couldn’t bear it any longer and dropped her aggressive demeanor.

She removed her mask and tossed it aside. Slapping the table, she rudely exclaimed, “Your dear mother has some nerve. It’s as if she was enchanted by someone. She treasured someone else’s children like precious gems and scorned her own daughter! I always warned you to be cautious. Look what has happened now. You’ve been deceived into marrying into the Lances family!”

After Hazel finished speaking, she grabbed the glass and downed its contents in one gulp.

Shadow adjusted her glasses and spoke carefully, “Drink slowly or you’ll choke.”

Hazel breathed heavily and glared at her. “Has the Lances family mistreated you?”

“No, they’re quite decent,” growled Hazel, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. Except for that bothersome ‘Alpha Dominic’, the rest of them treated her kindly.

Hazel shook her head, letting out a weary sigh as she recalled the primary issue they were supposed to address. “Do you know why Jessica wanted to spread the rumor that you stole her fiance?”

Shadow poured herself a glass of water, her voice low and cautious as she asked, “How do you know it was Jessica behind all this?”

Hazel looked at her as if she were a foolish pup, “Look at the timing, who would bother slandering you unless there was something to gain from it?”

“What could she possibly gain?” Shadow struggled to understand Jessica’s motives.

Hazel let out a cold laugh, a sneer twisting her lips, “Before I boarded the flight, I asked a friend in the paparazzi to dig into this matter. Turns out, what Jessica did was to make her relationship with Henry public and shed the label of being Alpha Kilian Lances’s fiancee. And she just happened to be short of a stepping stone, namely you.”

Shadow’s eyes widened as she processed Hazel’s words.

Although the Lances family didn’t mind if the person marrying into the pack wasn’t Jessica, they still held considerable influence in the Hertone Pack. No one dared to get too close to Jessica, fearing the wrath of the Lances family.

This situation pushed Jessica to not only resolve her status as Alpha Kilian’s fiancee but also to portray herself in a positive light.

That was why she resorted to buying the top search on social media and slandering Shadow, casting her as a gold-digging vixen while positioning herself as a caring and loving sister.

Shadow bit her lip, her hands gripping her knees tightly. “What a devious plot.”

“What do you plan to do now?” Hazel interrupted her thoughts, a sudden realization dawning on her. “I have a question for you. You married Alpha Kilian just like that, are you two…?”

“He despises me because of my appearance. We’re distant, like ice,” Shadow responded, understanding the underlying question.

“Oh please, as if he’s any better. He can’t perform and looks down on others for being ugly. I told you that your plain looks would bring trouble. Stop pretending and start dressing well. Your beauty will blind him!” Hazel, caught up in the revenge-themed movie she was shooting, offered her advice.

Shadow couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “No need for that. We’re actually fine now.”

They respected each other’s space and kept their distance. It was the best arrangement they could have hoped for.

The two of them chatted for a while longer, until Hazel’s manager called her. “I’ll be there in a little while.”

Before she left, Hazel rushed to pay the bill.

No matter how much Shadow tried, she couldn’t match Hazel’s height or reach. In the end, Hazel always came out on top.

Despite her tomboyish demeanor, Hazel was attentive to the small details. She knew that Shadow didn’t earn much, so whenever they dined together, she found a way to pay for it.

Shadow felt a mix of gratitude and sadness.

Hazel knew all her secrets and the struggles she faced in the Eden family.

Long ago, Hazel advised her not to expect much from her family, particularly from Lisa. “The more you belittle yourself, the more they think they can take advantage of you. You shouldn’t allow yourself to be bullied!”

However, Shadow didn’t believe that. She held onto hope, thinking that if she tried hard enough and followed their demands, they would eventually accept her.

It wasn’t until she was forced to mate into the Lances family that she realized no matter what she did, they would never accept her.

But even at this point, instead of being satisfied, they wanted to use her.

Did they truly think she would let herself be easily bullied?

Shadow was about to hail a taxi back to Alpha Kilian’s Castle when she received a call from Lisa. The name ‘Mom’ flashed on her screen, and her face darkened deeply. Why was she calling now?

She hesitantly answered the call, placing the phone next to her ear. “Hello?”

Lisa’s voice was surprisingly warm, “Shadow, can you come home for dinner?”

At this critical moment, when the entire internet was attacking her, Lisa suddenly showed care and concern. It was obvious that she had an ulterior motive.

Shadow calmly rejected her request, “I don’t have time. I’m very busy.”

“You’re jobless now. What could you possibly be busy with?” Lisa didn’t expect her daughter to reject so firmly. It was the first time she had met resistance. “Come home for dinner! The whole family is here…”

“I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but I am now a member of the Lances family.” Shadow interrupted Lisa’s words bluntly.

Hearing this, Lisa’s anger flared, and she yelled furiously, “Does a daughter speak to her mother in such a manner?”

Shadow could hear the sound of something breaking on the other end of the line, followed by her mother’s rage. She remained unaffected, unresponsive.

This was the first time she had stood up to her mother. She had reached her limit. Lisa had never cared about her. All her love and patience were reserved for her step-children. And what had she received in return? Anger and annoyance. Lisa would never speak to Jessica with this impatience.

Ultimately, it was because Lisa didn’t care.

Lisa didn’t care about her, and that in itself explained her behavior.

She treated her as she pleased.

Now, Shadow no longer cared about Lisa. She would never again extend warmth to her as she had in the past.

“Then go find Jessica. She’s the dutiful and gentle daughter you’re looking for. You two will certainly get along well,” Shadow stated before abruptly hanging up the phone.