Chapter 776 Poor HumbertHayley's POV:40 PeadenoveldramaHis palm was wide and warm, rough with old calluses. When it brushed againstmy 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 myteeth into his throat disappeared in an instant."Stop being so guarded, so hostile toward me," Truman said softly. His dark eyeslocked on mine, filled with something deep-something honest. "I'm here to protectyouThud. 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, Ifelt a strange familiarity.Just like when I looked at Benjamin.The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. And after that fleeting calm, panicsurged 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 thedoor 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. Thiswas something else.I didn't know what I had done to push her away, but I knew one thing: I couldn'tkeep pretending Truman. Not like this.So, I turned and left without a word. At the doorway, hesitated, glancing back-worried, hoping.But all I caught was her face as she slammed the door shut, cold and resolute.Chapter 776 Poor HumbertMy chest tightened, as if something had clamped around my heart, squeezingevery breath out of meIt took a long moment before I managed to turn away again. And when I did, Iwalked 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 ofhis 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 bettingwere still glowing with victory. Word had spread like wildfire, and the event haddrawn 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 dayone, waiting for something truly legendary. They refused to leave before they sawthe rare treasure.Some were even saying they'd stayed just to witness the showdown between meand 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 getcrushed.""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. Iwalked 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'veheard, right? Preston's secret weapon showed up today!""The Hanovers' network in the rock betting world is massive-he must've broughtsomer you, this isn't just some regular expert!"He looked downright defeated, his brows scrunched in worry."Oh yeah?" I arched an eyebrow and said coldly, "You think they're better thanme?"1. ig. I'm tellingChapter 776 Poor HumbertHumbert blinked, then gave me a look filled with complicated emotions. He hálf-joked. You do remember yesterday's gem reveal, right? The whole room's beenlaughing about it ever since.Then came a heavy sigh.Yeah, he clearly didn't have much faith in me.I yawned behind my hand, completely unbothered with his disappointment.I couldn't care less. Covering a yawn, I muttered, "It's freezing in here. I'm sosleepy; maybe I should just go. back to bed."Without missing a beat, I turned and strolled straight toward the exit, right throughthe sea of curious and doubtful eyes-just like yesterday. Once again, Iabandoned Humbert to handle everything independently.This time, Humbert didn't even look surprised. He'd probably gotten used to myantics by now.It seemed he'd finally realized something important: counting on me was agamble in itself. If he wanted to win, he'd better rely on his own skills.I glanced back just once. There he was, clenching his fists, trying to pump himselfup. 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