Victoria hurriedly stepped back, flustered, her werewolf instincts sensing danger. "I can't drink," she stammered, her voice betraying her unease. In the werewolf - dominated business events, being unable to hold one's own in social drinking was a sign of weakness.
A sharp, mocking laugh came from the crowd. "What are you pretending for? Everyone knows that there are only two kinds of women at events like this: the wives of company CEOs, or assistants who work for them. You're neither Mrs. Hill, nor willing to help Mr. Hill, so what are you even doing here? In our werewolf - run corporate circles, such behavior is unacceptable." The voice was laced with the scorn of a werewolf who valued status and proper conduct.
Victoria's face turned pale, her expression a mixture of anger and embarra
