Christina’s POV
I was genuinely shocked by Hudson’s attitude today. Was he actually changing? Was he finally refusing to protect Genevieve?
Despite her protests and attempts to wriggle out of it, they took her fingerprints anyway.
The results ca back quickly. No trace of my fingerprints on the ruby—but Genevieve’s were all over it.
"It appears it was you all along, Miss," the assistant said, his voice hardening. He clearly didn’t appreciate being used as a pawn in her little ga.
Mr. Howard shot Genevieve a withering glare. "Thank goodness Alpha Hudson had the foresight to suggest this fingerprint analysis. We might all have been deceived. You stole the ruby and attempted to fra Luna Christina."
"I... I didn’t! This is a setup!" Genevieve’s voice rose in panic. "I don’t know how my prints got on there. She probably planted them! You’ve got it all wrong!" Her excuses sounded hollow and desperate. Nobody was buying her act.
"Still spinning tales? Pathetic," Naomi said with a triumphant smirk.
"Christina, I knew you’d never do sothing like this," Niall said, stepping closer with a tender look that made uncomfortable.
"Luna Christina, I sincerely apologize," Mr. Howard addressed formally in front of everyone.
"It’s alright. Just a misunderstanding." While I was offended by the accusation, it wasn’t his fault, and I saw no reason to create additional drama.
"Is there any form of compensation that would be acceptable to you?" He seed determined to make ands.
"That won’t be necessary."
"That’s very gracious of you, Luna Christina." He turned to Hudson. "When I first heard you were married, I wondered what kind of woman could possibly match Alpha Hudson of The Sabreridge Pack. Now I see—she’s truly exceptional." He was laying it on pretty thick.
I felt heat rush to my cheeks.
"Mr. Howard, what can we do to make it up to my wife?" Hudson asked earnestly.
"Sell the ruby," Hudson said. "My wife has an appreciation for fine jewelry."
I could barely believe my ears.
"That’s really not necessary," I said quickly. Items like that were usually precious family heirlooms, not things you casually sold off.
"Who knew there was such sweetness under all that ice?" Naomi whispered in my ear.
"Mr. Howard, I’ll offer one and a half billion for that ruby," Niall said abruptly, stepping forward the mont Hudson had finished speaking.
Howard glanced at him curiously. "And why would you want to purchase it?"
"To give to the woman I love. I want to make her the happiest woman in the world." Niall looked pointedly in my direction.
I couldn’t believe his audacity, saying sothing like that in front of everyone—especially with that look in his eyes. There was no mistaking who he ant.
"Where would he even get that kind of money?" Akira scoffed inside my head. "Is he just trying to provoke Hudson?"
"Probably," I silently agreed. "And it’s working."
Around us, party guests began to murmur among themselves.
"I didn’t see that coming."
"Who is this Christina? What does she have that makes n like Niall and Hudson throw around billions just because she likes jewelry?"
"All that money, just to impress one woman."
Hudson’s expression darkened dangerously. He shot Niall a glacial glare, but Niall held his head high, seemingly unfazed.
"Let’s go," I said quietly to Naomi.
The whole situation was unbearably awkward, and I just wanted to escape.
Naomi refused to budge. "Don’t rush off. I’m sure Hudson can handle this."
I sighed at her obvious delight in the spectacle. "You’re impossible."
"Just wait. You won’t regret staying. Hudson won’t let you down."
"Mr. Howard, you promised compensation. I expect you to honor your word," Hudson reminded him.
"Of course. It seems I must part with it, then," Howard conceded.
"Selling it to would still compensate Christina—after all, I’m giving it to her," Niall insisted, throwing another lingering look my way. "And I’m offering half a billion more. Don’t turn down that kind of money, Mr. Howard."
Howard visibly winced. Half a billion wasn’t sothing to dismiss lightly.
But a promise was a promise.
In the end, he turned to Hudson. "Alpha Hudson, the ruby is yours. I look forward to the possibility of working together in the future."
"I’m certain we will have that opportunity," Hudson said, a faint smile touching his lips as he shook Howard’s hand.
Howard nodded to his assistant, who carefully placed the ruby into an elegant case and handed it to Hudson.
The room exploded into chatter.
"My Goddess, that’s insane."
"I’ve seen people with money be flashy, but this is sothing else."
"Unbelievably extravagant."
"His Luna is so lucky. Alpha Hudson must adore her to spend that much just because she liked it."
"Mr. Howard, what should we do about this woman?" the assistant asked, gesturing toward Genevieve.
"Hudson, this has nothing to do with . There must have been so mistake," Genevieve said frantically, stepping closer to him.
"Are you questioning the professionalism of the forensic team I brought in?" Hudson didn’t even glance at her.
"What are you going to do, then? Let them call the police and have arrested?"
"You will apologize to my wife first."
Genevieve bit her lip and shot a venomous glare. I could practically feel the hatred radiating from her.
"You stole the ruby and tried to fra . Don’t you think you owe an apology?" I said coldly.
"Hudson," Genevieve pleaded, turning back to him with desperation in her eyes.
"Apologize," he said, unmoved.
She stared at him, furious and heartbroken, tears welling in her eyes.
I watched her put on that pitiful act, but Hudson’s expression didn’t soften one bit.
"Cassian," she tried, turning to him next.
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