Chapter 4
Alexander's POV
I shielded Tiffany behind me. The distance between Freya and me was so close we could hear each other breathing. I felt disoriented—she always gave me this familiar feeling, even though this was clearly our first meeting.
Five years ago, someone had drugged me with a specialized aphrodisiac that clouded my senses of smell and sight. But Tiffany told me she'd helped me that night, using her body to neutralize the poison.
She wouldn't lie to me, would she?
"My business is none of your concern." I dismissed Freya's warning and turned to help Tiffany up. "Are you okay?"
Tiffany shook her head. "I'm fine, I..."
She paused mid-sentence, her eyes lighting up.
"Alex, she must have stolen the test content! How else could she create such a perfect design in half an hour? Just the conceptualization alone would take longer than that! Not only did she finish it, but she had a complete design philosophy. This screams preparation! We can't keep her at the company, unless..."
Tiffany continued, "Unless she can create something that satisfies you on the spot, right here and now. Otherwise, she has no right to join the company!"
Tiffany's logic made sense on the surface. If Freya truly had stolen the test materials, she'd crumble under pressure when forced to perform without preparation.
But something else drove my decision. This woman standing before me—defiant, unbroken—bore no resemblance to the pathetic creature Tiffany had painted in her stories. I needed to know which version was real.
"So the test we just conducted was meaningless? Or is your company going back on its word and disrespecting talent?" Freya shot back without hesitation.
Tiffany insisted on her idea. "Since you don't dare design in front of us, it proves you really did steal the test content. Besides, this kind of thing isn't classified—throw enough money around and someone will always leak it. Freya, my dear sister, just apologize and Alex and I can forgive you."
Freya didn't even dignify Tiffany's accusations with a response. Instead, she crossed her arms. "If I do create something and prove you're slandering me, what then?"
I noticed Tiffany's body stiffen.
"Create something that satisfies me, and I'll let today's events slide," I said coolly.
"But if you can't..." I stepped in front of Freya, looking down at her while releasing my full Alpha aura. "You'll face my wrath."
Standing this close to her, that strange familiarity hit me again like a physical blow. Something about her scent, her presence—it tugged at memories I couldn't quite grasp. The night five years ago remained frustratingly hazy, but being near Freya stirred something deep in my subconscious.
Her silence stretched on. Most people would have either accepted immediately or made excuses by now. Her hesitation had to mean something.
"Tiffany, have my assistant call the police. Tell them someone committed assault."
"Yes, Alex."
Just as she was about to call the assistant in, Freya spoke up. "I can accept. However, I already passed one test and according to company policy, I meet the job requirements. What do I get for passing this second test?"
Damn. Even cornered, she had the presence of mind to negotiate. This wasn't the behavior of someone desperate or guilty—this was calculated confidence.
"If you can create something that satisfies me, I'll increase your salary by fifty percent and promote you to management," I offered.
Freya smiled. "I didn't come to Crown & Gem for money."
"Is my offer not enough?" I was puzzled.
"My Alpha, are you trying to insult me with money? Or do you think I need it?"
The way she said 'my Alpha' sent an unexpected jolt through me. And her dismissal of money—either she was bluffing spectacularly, or she had resources I didn't know about.
"Miss. Crystal, if you can create something that satisfies me, just tell me what you want!" I made my final offer.
"Your woman and you slandered me. I need you to apologize. As for her, considering she's my father's bastard, I'll forgive her if she kneels and apologizes." Her words displayed the dominance of Alpha bloodline.
My gaze turned cold. She dared make such a demand.
Tiffany wasn't my woman—that was Freya's assumption. But I did owe Tiffany a debt from five years ago, and I wouldn't stand by while someone tried to humiliate her, regardless of our actual relationship.
Just as I was about to speak, Tiffany beat me to it. "Fine! If you can't create something that satisfies Alex, you'll crawl out of Crown & Gem on your hands and knees like a dog!"
The venom in Tiffany's voice caught me off guard. Where was the gentle, soft-spoken woman I thought I knew?
"Deal." Freya said nothing more and pulled out her laptop to begin designing.
"You won't claim this laptop is yours as another reason to accuse me of cheating, will you?" Freya looked at me.
"I'll watch you the entire time. Begin," I said.
"Good. That's exactly what I want." Freya started designing.
Watching her work was mesmerizing. Her fingers flew across the keyboard with practiced ease, each stroke deliberate and confident. This wasn't luck or stolen material—this was pure, undeniable skill. Every assumption I'd made about her began to crumble.
Again, thirty minutes, and the design was complete.
I studied the design carefully. "This piece has a very Egyptian style."
"Exactly. It's inspired by Egypt, but I've also incorporated mysterious elements from our werewolf world." A hint of pride flickered across Freya's lips.
"This piece is excellent. I can't find any flaws. What's it called?"
I could have found fault just to save face, but that would make me no better than a petty tyrant. Besides, if she truly possessed this level of talent, Crown & Gem's problems might finally have a solution.
"This piece's creative concept is intimately related to her, you could even say it's perfectly fitting." Freya pointed at Tiffany.
That made no sense. After everything that had happened today, why would Freya create something inspired by Tiffany?
What did this mean?
Tiffany walked to my side, studying the piece carefully. "It really is excellent."
"Since you're willing to compromise, I don't want to be petty either. Just give me a sincere apology and I'll forgive you and let you join Crown & Gem."
Freya ignored her and said to herself, "This piece is called 'Cleopatra VII.'"
The name hit me like a slap. I knew enough history to understand the implications, and suddenly Freya's game became crystal clear.
"How could such a tongue-twisting name relate to me? Freya, you're not mocking us, are you? Crown & Gem doesn't hire people who lie through their teeth." Tiffany said while admiring the work.
"Of course it relates to you! Cleopatra VII was an Egyptian queen, renowned for her beauty."
Tiffany's eyes lit up at this!
I had to bite back a smile. Freya was about to deliver a masterclass in verbal warfare, and Tiffany was walking straight into it.
Freya let out a contemptuous laugh. "This queen first seduced Caesar, then after his death, went on to seduce Caesar's son-in-law. A real bitch, you could say!"
"This piece has another name. 'Debauchery!' It really is a perfect match for you."
The precision of Freya's strike was surgical. She'd built Tiffany up just to tear her down more effectively.
Everything I thought I knew about both women was shifting.