Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 46: Clarissa – No Longer Caring Brother

When I couldn’t find Darren at home, I went to AeRey by car, accompanied by the driver.

Mother had wanted to come with me, but she had to attend an inter-pack meeting.

Lately, it felt like many things were happening at once. Everyone was so busy.

AeRey’s headquarters, located in Grey Pack territory, was a four-story building with modern architecture that stood out among the surrounding offices.

Aether was a symbol of modernity. It marked the beginning of a time when werewolves could live without relying solely on their inner wolves.

In an era where not all alphas possessed true alpha power, aether was essential. Even Alpha Will, the leader of a major Green pack, was not a ’true alpha.’

A true alpha was a werewolf chosen directly by the Moon Goddess. One who could mind-link with all sworn followers and possessed an alpha’s shout.

Alpha Will was a descendant of true alphas, which made him stronger than ordinary werewolves.

From what Darren told me, Alpha Will was the firstborn son, and because he married Luna Eileen, the beta’s daughter, he was chosen as the heir.

Cases like that weren’t rare.

Oscar’s father was another example, and that was exactly why he could be removed from his position so easily.

Even Alpha Ryan wasn’t a true alpha. That was only natural. A true alpha would surely lead their pack to prosperity.

Like Alpha Harry, Richard and Adrian’s father. For generations, their pack had always been led by true alphas.

Adrian, as the heir, was also expected to awaken as a true alpha one day.

Anyway, I was already inside the building.

Thankfully, I arrived in a car bearing the Green Pack emblem. The receptionist still looked at me suspiciously. If I had come on my own, I might have been thrown out.

After receiving permission, I was guided to Darren’s office.

When I entered, I saw a Darren I barely recognized.

His blond hair was messy. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and he wasn’t wearing a suit jacket. His eyes were red, with dark circles beneath them.

The look he gave me wasn’t the sly Darren who always smiled politely no matter where or when. He looked exhausted.

He stood from his workchair, then sat down on the sofa. I took the seat opposite him.

He rubbed his tired face.

"Mother already explained why you’re here. About what I said before, I can’t go through with it. I take my words back. Instead, you can ask for something else."

I looked at him in disbelief. I knew he was tired from work, but I came here with a business matter too, not just a personal issue.

I took out the proposal I had revised countless times and pushed the stack of papers toward him.

"Can’t you at least read my proposal first?" I asked, trying to sound professional so he would take me seriously.

"I can’t, Clarissa." Darren shook his head, somewhere between resignation and disgust.

"Just stop."

I couldn’t understand his attitude at all. I had worked on this proposal seriously for weeks.

"Then at least tell me what’s wrong with my device," I said calmly, despite my frustration.

Darren looked irritated. "Clarissa, plagiarized device cannot be commercialized."

All the logical explanations I had prepared instantly collapsed.

Plagiarized device? How had this rumor reached him? Was it Edwin?

"Who told you that?" I asked, bewildered.

Suddenly, Darren snapped, "Everyone knows already!"

"Clarissa, please..." His expression softened into something desperate.

"Can you just stop causing trouble for once? Father is busy in the capital. I’m juggling both his role and the company. Mother, who used to only attend social meetings, now has to replace Father sometimes. We don’t have the energy to deal with your problems."

My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst. My thoughts tangled together, impossible to untangle.

Why was everything turning out like this?

I hadn’t done anything, yet I was suddenly blamed for causing problems. What kind of trouble could happen without the person even knowing?

I refused to back down. At the very least, Darren had to believe me. I needed the money to fix the necklace.

"I didn’t plagiarize anything," I said, as if my life depended on it.

"Whatever you heard out there is wrong. I made it myself. Shifter’s aide is a device I created with my own mind and heart."

Darren waved his hand and stood up.

"Go home. Don’t interrupt my work with your games. If you want something, contact me through the com-orb."

He returned to his desk without sparing me another glance.

I didn’t move. I couldn’t.

I needed the money. At least one thing had to go right, so I could fix the rest of it.

When Darren saw that I still wouldn’t leave, he ordered me to go again. I stubbornly stayed until security was called.

I was pushed into the car by security, and the driver immediately took me home.

I failed to achieve anything by coming here.

I wouldn’t be able to get the money to fix Edwin’s necklace. Edwin wouldn’t forgive me. He wouldn’t believe me.

And I would continue to be labeled a plagiarist by my own brother and everyone else.

’Do I really have to ask Shannon for help in the end?’

I had no other choice.

The next morning, before classes started, I asked to speak with Shannon alone.

Like it or not, I explained everything that had happened, and how badly the plagiarism rumor had affected me.

She looked shocked, unprepared... and heartbroken.

"I was the only one who didn’t know..." She crouched down, hiding her face as she sobbed.

"I’m sorry, Sis Clar. I should have been more sensitive. I should have told everyone the truth."

I crouched down beside her and gently patted her head. "This isn’t your fault. No one said anything in front of you. That’s why you didn’t know."

She cried for a while, apologizing over and over. My heart ached listening to her sobs.

After some time, she lifted her head. Her eyes were watery, and her nose was red. I let out a breath, feeling awful.

She looked at me seriously. "Then I’ll tell Brother Darren tomorrow. I’ll explain everything."

I nodded.

"Thank you, Shannon. But I don’t think Brother Darren will be able to come home this weekend. He’s very busy."

Shannon’s eyelids drooped sadly. "I’ll try asking."

She took out her com-orb and contacted Darren. I didn’t stop her.

"Brother Darren, it’s been a long time since we last met," Shannon said sweetly. I was sure it made Darren smile. I smiled too, watching her.

"Can you come home tomorrow, at least for a meal together?" she asked. "Please? Please? Please?"

I didn’t know what Darren replied, but Shannon beamed and nodded at me.

"Alright. See you tomorrow, Brother Darren~"

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