Chapter 776 Poor Humbert

    Hayley''s POV:

    40 Peade

    His palm was wide and warm, rough with old calluses. When it brushed against

    my skin, it felt a bit like fine sandpaper-abrasive, but strangely grounding.

    Yet somehow, the restlessness in my heart began to settle.

    All the fury, the desire to tear into him, and the unshakable resolve to sink my

    teeth into his throat disappeared in an instant.

    "Stop being so guarded, so hostile toward me," Truman said softly. His dark eyes

    locked on mine, filled with something deep-something honest. "I''m here to protect

    you

    Thud. Thud-thud. Thud-thud-thud.

    My heart pounded wildly in my chest.

    I looked up in confusion and stared right into Truman''s eyes. For a brief moment, I

    felt a strange familiarity.

    Just like when I looked at Benjamin.

    The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. And after that fleeting calm, panic

    surged back into my chest.

    But he wasn''t Benjamin. Hera could smell the difference between them.

    How could 1-how dare I-be drawn to two different men?

    "No! I can''t!"

    The chaos inside me bubbled over. I cried out, not even realizing it.

    Then, as if burned, I ripped my hand away from his and spun around. I flung the

    door open and refused to look back at him.

    "Leave. Now. I want you out of my sight."

    Benjamin''s POV:

    The moment I saw Hayley''s expression, I knew something was wrong.

    Even my wolf could sense the shift in her mood.

    This wasn''t the Hayley who snapped and scolded me whenever I teased her. This

    was something else.

    I didn''t know what I had done to push her away, but I knew one thing: I couldn''t

    keep pretending Truman. Not like this.

    So, I turned and left without a word. At the doorway, hesitated, ncing back-

    worried, hoping.

    But all I caught was her face as she mmed the door shut, cold and resolute.

    Chapter 776 Poor Humbert

    My chest tightened, as if something had mped around my heart, squeezing

    every breath out of me

    It took a long moment before I managed to turn away again. And when I did, I

    walked with purpose. Because in that moment, one thing became crystal clear.

    Hayley''s POV:

    I leaned against the door, my breath shallow as I listened to the fading sound of

    his footsteps. My brows were furrowed tight.

    What on earth was wrong with me?

    How could I be drawn to a man who already had a mate?.

    Benjamin was the one fate had chosen for me. My destined mate.

    I barely slept that night, tossed in a haze of frustration and confusion.

    By ten the next morning, I arrived at the auction hall right on time.

    The Rock Betting Auction was still in full swing, as lively as ever.

    Even though a day had passed, people who had struck gold through rock betting

    were still glowing with victory. Word had spread like wildfire, and the event had

    drawn in even more hopeful dreamers, all chasing the fantasy of overnight riches.

    A small group of diehards-gamblers to the bone-had been camped out since day

    one, waiting for something truly legendary. They refused to leave before they saw

    the rare treasure.

    Some were even saying they''d stayed just to witness the showdown between me

    and Preston.

    As I walked past, the buzz among them picked up immediately.

    "There she is! Told you she wouldn''t just disappear before giving us a show."

    "Yeah, and Preston brought in his secret weapon this time. That girl''s going to get

    crushed."

    "Shame, really. Hate to see a pretty face lose that bad. Well, not really-hahaha!"

    I caught every word but didn''t flinch. My expression stayed cool, unreadable. I

    walked past like I hadn''t heard a thing.

    Humbert, however, looked like a nervous wreck.

    "Ms. Carson," he rushed over nervously the moment he spotted me, "you''ve

    heard, right? Preston''s secret weapon showed up today!"

    "The Hanovers''work in the rock betting world is massive-he must''ve brought

    somer you, this isn''t just some regr expert!"

    He looked downright defeated, his brows scrunched in worry.

    "Oh yeah?" I arched an eyebrow and said coldly, "You think they''re better than

    me?"

    1. ig. I''m telling

    Chapter 776 Poor Humbert

    Humbert blinked, then gave me a look filled withplicated emotions. He hálf-

    joked. You do remember yesterday''s gem reveal, right? The whole room''s been

    Then came a heavy sigh.

    Yeah, he clearly didn''t have much faith in me.

    I yawned behind my hand,pletely unbothered with his disappointment.

    I couldn''t care less. Covering a yawn, I muttered, "It''s freezing in here. I''m so

    sleepy; maybe I should just go. back to bed."

    Without missing a beat, I turned and strolled straight toward the exit, right through

    the sea of curious and doubtful eyes-just like yesterday. Once again, I

    abandoned Humbert to handle everything independently.

    This time, Humbert didn''t even look surprised. He''d probably gotten used to my

    antics by now.

    It seemed he''d finally realized something important: counting on me was a

    gamble in itself. If he wanted to win, he''d better rely on his own skills.

    I nced back just once. There he was, clenching his fists, trying to pump himself

    up. Then, with determination, he plunged back into the sea of uncut stones.

    Satisfied, I turned to leave for real.

    But I wasn''t heading back for sleep this time.

    I had someone to meet. Nocturne was waiting.

    NASK