What are you doing here?

Ivan's demeanor suddenly shifted. He glared down at Sergei with a chilling intensity, his eyes darkening.

"Did she see you with Everly?" Ivan demanded, his voice laced with a tinge of annoyance.

Sergei's voice quivered as he replied, "No, sir. She didn't."

Ivan's thought for a moment. "Get the car ready. I'm paying the pack a visit," he ordered.

Sergei bowed and left to prepare the Rolls Royce parked nearby, his movements hurried.

He held the back seat door open for Ivan, who entered hurriedly. As Sergei took his place behind the wheel, the gates swung open, allowing them to depart swiftly.

During the tense car ride, Ivan's mind churned with thoughts of Clorinde ratting out about his marriage to Everly.

As they reached the front of his parents' mansion, Sergei honked for the gate to be opened, but there was no response.

Ivan, growing impatient, looked at Sergei, who pushed the car door open and stormed in through the smaller door next to the enormous gate.

When he entered, he found the gateman asleep with headphones on.

With a surge of frustration, Sergei ripped the headphones off the gateman and hurled them against the wall with an incredible force.

The gateman jolted awake, startled by the sudden intrusion. Before he could comprehend the situation, he seized him by the collar with a firm grip.

"Do you have any idea how long I've been honking? You're keeping the Supreme Alpha waiting?" Sergei's voice boomed with anger, his eyes blazing with fury. "Sleeping with headphones on, just where do you think you are? You do not get paid, so you can just sleep around. Do your job properly!"

Ivan walked in and looked down at the both of them without saying a word.

The gateman trembled under Ivan's gaze, nodding frantically and stammering, "Yes, I understand. I'm sorry, sir."

Sergei released his hold on the gateman, causing him to tumble to the ground.

Ivan demanded, "Are my parents home?"

Before the gateman could respond, Ivan heard a familiar voice behind him, accompanied by a soft chuckle. "Don't scare the poor guy so much, or he's going to shit his pants, Sergei."

Ivan turned around to see his little sister, Ania Smirnov, standing there with an amused smile. She was accompanied by two elegantly dressed maids.

Ania exuded grace, with her sleek, brown, chestnut hair cascading down her shoulders in loose waves. Her brown almond-shaped eyes sparkled with mischief, framed by her lashes that fluttered playfully.

Ania was dressed in a stunning gown, adorned with a complex lace and detailed embroidery, accentuating her slender figure.

The gown's flowing silhouette and rich fabric hinted at her refined taste and privileged upbringing.

Known for her cunning wit and mischievous attitude, Ania was the only member of their family with whom Ivan truly got along with.

"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes, little sister? Anyways, where's Father and Mother? They're the reason I'm here," Ivan asked.

She chuckled and gave Ivan a little bow of respect. "My, big brother, you haven't changed. You're not even bothering to catch up with your little sister, and all you're worried about is talking to mom and dad."

Ivan sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Ania, I don't have time for this. It's very important."

She rolled her eyes before replying, "Well, if you must know, Mom left earlier to who knows where."

"probably to the hospital." Ivan thought to himself.

Ania continued, "And as for Father, he's inside. I was just about to go shopping when I saw your bodyguard's drama with the gateman."

She chuckled before looking down at the gateman. "I'd advise you to get serious with your job unless you want to find out how deep his claws can go," she teased, causing the gateman to tremble on the floor.

Ivan raises his brow at Ania. "You were saying something about Sergei scaring him?"

Ania chuckled once more. "I was simply warning, not trying to scare him. Besides, you know I seek amusement all the time."

Ivan sighed. "Right, I'm going to go check if Father is inside. Have fun with your shopping."

As Ivan turned to leave, Ania said, "Can I--"

Ivan interrupted her before she could finish. "No, Ania, I will not give you my credit card," he said firmly while walking towards the mansion's door.

"Hmph," she scoffed before making her way to the car with her maids.

As Ivan walked into the mansion, he made his way to his father's chamber, ignoring the guard standing beside the door and bowing their heads to him.

"I'm sorry, Supreme Alpha, but Master has strictly ordered not to be disturbed," the guard said firmly.

Ivan's expression darkened as he grabbed the guard by the collar. "Are you new to this job? Is that it?" Ivan glared at the guard, his grip tightening.

The bodyguard stammered under Ivan's tight grip. "Yes, sir.."

"I suggest you know your place if you don't want to die. Understand!?" Ivan said, his voice low and menacing.

The bodyguard nodded frantically before getting tossed aside by Ivan who then entered the room.

Ivan's father sat in a chair facing the fireplace, smoking a cigarette.

Ivan hesitated before speaking, "Father..."

"What brings you here, Ivan? With the way you stormed out the other day, I thought I wouldn't be seeing you this soon" He placed the cigarette in the ashtray before rising from his seat to face Ivan.

Ivan looked at his father for a moment before replying, "I just decided to drop by." He lied, "Where's Mother?"

His father glanced at Ivan before replying, "Your mother went out earlier. She said something about taking care of something, but she didn't specify where or what."

He shrugged nonchalantly, as if her sudden departure was nothing out of the ordinary. "Probably just some last-minute shopping or visiting a friend," he added, his tone casual as he returned his attention to the flickering flames in the fireplace.

After asking a few questions and noticing how his father answered, he concluded that they hadn't found out about Everly yet.

"Well, I should be going now," he said, trying to mask his relief with a casual tone. "I have some urgent matters to attend to."

His father nodded, seemingly unfazed by Ivan's abrupt departure. "Of course, Ivan. Take care of yourself."

With a curt nod, Ivan exited the room.

Upon walking out of the mansion, Ivan's expression changes as he spotted Clorinde striding confidently towards the mansion.

In a blink of an eye, he closed the distance between them. Grabbing her by the wrists, he confronted her with a low tone.

"What are you doing here?" he asked with a firm grip.

Clorinde swiftly pulled away. "N-nothing… I just came to visit your parents," she stuttered.

Ivan's jaw clenched with annoyance, and he grabbed her jaw. "Don't test me, Clorinde," he warned, his voice icy with menace. "I don't know what you're up to, but if you so much as utter Everly's name to anyone, I won't hesitate to end you."

Clorinde fell silent, not knowing how to even react.

Ivan let go of her wrist, turned around, and left.