Chapter 242:

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I was indeed happy for the warriors on the border, but this only strengthened my resolve to have my own power. The Pack’s finances were, after all, his.

Our conversation had reached a stalemate. He couldn’t understand my pursuit, and I couldn’t make him understand my insistence.

This wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but a fundamental clash of values between two people from different worlds.

“Thank you for telling me the news, Demetri,” I said wearily. “I’m tired. I want to rest.”

𝗗𝗈w𝗇l𝗈𝗮𝘥 𝗣𝘋𝖥𝘴 𝗳𝗋𝖾е 𝗈𝗇 𝗀𝖺𝗹nо𝘷𝖾𝗅𝘴.со𝗺

It was the first time I had actively ended a conversation between us.

Demetri’s face darkened. I could feel his displeasure and hurt.

He looked at me in silence for a long time before finally turning his wheelchair and leaving my study.

The moment the door closed, I felt a wave of helplessness.

My relationship with Demetri had just taken a small step forward, and now it seemed to be stalled again by practical issues.

I looked out the window. Night had fallen.

Maybe I shouldn’t choose the townhouse on Magnolia Street. Maybe I should be more practical.

Haven Kramer POV

After the unpleasant end to my conversation with Demetri, I threw myself into my temporary lab—an empty storeroom in the estate.

I needed to numb myself with work, to stop thinking about all the frustrating things.

I started to re-examine my business plan. The townhouse on Magnolia Street was perfect, but it was based on me liquidating all my assets, which was too risky.

A successful merchant must first learn to control risk. I couldn’t put all my gold in one chest.

I painfully crossed out “Magnolia Street Townhouse” on my plan. It felt like I was personally strangling my own dream.

I had to find a cheaper, more practical alternative. My business could grow slowly, but it had to start.

Phoebe came in with tea and snacks. Seeing my gloomy face, she looked worried.

“Luna, why must you work so hard?” she asked softly, setting down the tray. “The Alpha has everything. Whatever you want, he will give it to you. Why do you insist on doing all this yourself?”

There it was again. My best friend, and my closest partner, neither of them could understand me.

I felt a profound loneliness, a loneliness that surpassed even the feeling of being abandoned by my family.

I looked at Phoebe’s sincere and concerned eyes. I knew she meant no harm; she was just trying to understand me through her own worldview.

I took a deep breath and explained patiently, “Phoebe, this isn’t a matter of ‘need,’ but of ‘want.’ I want to have something that is entirely my own. Not as someone’s wife, not as someone’s master, but just as Haven Kramer.”

I told her it was about my dignity, my pride, and my inner peace.

Phoebe nodded, though she seemed to only half-understand. She might not fully comprehend, but she chose to believe in me.

“Whatever you do, Luna, I will support you,” she said firmly.

Her support was like a warm current, warming my cold heart.

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