Chasing His Scentless Mate (Caroline) novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Chapter 125 I Can’t Live Without You

Draven’s POV

"Arthur, how much longer will this audit take?" I sighed into the phone. The pressure was mounting with each passing day.

"Your company’s financial statements and tax filings are an absolute mess, Draven. I wouldn’t be surprised if the IRS showed up to arrest you themselves," Arthur White replied.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling Alaric growl with irritation inside me. "Can it be resolved within three months?"

"We need to dig deeper, comb through years of business activities. After all, yours is the largest company in all of Harbor Bay." Arthur paused. "This might take a while."

"I understand. But three months maximum, Arthur. I’ve already hired someone to investigate my parents’ accident. I’m counting on you for this audit."

"I’ll do my best," Arthur promised before hanging up.

I set my phone down and stared at the mountain of paperwork before me. The New York clients had been keeping me busy all day. The contract negotiations were progressing well, and they were considering expanding their business with us, but they’d requested substantial information that Ryan and I had been organizing since morning.

"Looks like I’ll need to travel soon," I muttered to myself. Perhaps getting away for a bit wouldn’t be such a bad idea. The distance might help clear my head of thoughts about Caroline and this whole mess with Howard and his daughter.

A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called out, not looking up from my computer screen.

"I’m gone for just a month, and there’s no welcome party? No balloons or confetti? What kind of Alpha are you running here?" Clara’s familiar voice filled the room, bringing a smile to my face.

I stood immediately, crossing the room to embrace the woman who had been like a mother to me."Clara! Thank the Moon Goddess you’re back. I’ve missed you terribly."

Clara pulled back, her eyes scanning my face. "Oh dear, you look dreadful."

"He’s a wreck!" Ryan announced, entering the office with a stack of files. "A shell of an Alpha, stressed, anxious, and downright pathetic. Like a teenage pup who lost his first love."

"I can see that," Clara agreed. "I’ve never seen you look this... unraveled."

I ran a hand through my hair and gestured for them to sit. "I asked you to come back temporarily because we need someone who understands our business operations. But honestly, Clara, I’m lost. How do I fix this mess I’m in?"

"Which mess are we talking about?" Clara asked, settling into her chair. "The company audit or that disaster you call a mating ceremony?"

"Ryan suggested buying time, postponing the ceremony as much as possible. I’ve managed to push it back three months, but what’s the point?" I sank into my chair.

"Draven," Clara began, "treat this like business. Think like an Alpha in negotiations. Be cold and rational. If you let emotions take over, you’ll mess up even worse—that’s how you got into this situation in the first place. You let your guard down, got drunk, made mistakes, and now that awful woman claims you’re the father of her pup."

"I still don’t believe that child is yours," Ryan growled."The timing is too convenient."

"Neither can I!" Clara exclaimed. "Why won’t she take the test?"

I sighed heavily. "She refuses, saying the test carries a risk of miscarriage. Says she won’t put the pregnancy at risk. And technically, it could only be done after the twelfth week anyway."

"Well, you’ve gained time now," Clara pointed out. "She must be about four weeks along. You have to convince her, Draven."

"Ryan and I are analyzing all possibilities, Clara," I explained. "But there’s more to this than just the pregnancy. Howard is up to something with the company finances, and I suspect it’s been going on for years."

"Tell me everything," Clara demanded, settling in for a long conversation.

For the next hour, we updated Clara on all the developments. Ryan joined us, and we ended up ordering lunch and eating right there in my office.

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