---- 12 Her voice grew louder and more agitated. The surrounding guests began whispering among themselves, and the scene was spiraling out of control. Damon's expression was cold as ice, but a flash of complex emotion crossed his eyes. The Beta wolves grew anxious. Someone whispered to Damon, "Alpha, say something quickly! If this continues, things will get out of hand!" But Damon remained silent. Lydia's tears finally fell, her voice filled with despair. "Damon Blackwood, do you like her or not? Tell me! Look, they all say it's just a matter of one sentence, but you just won't say it. Do you know why?" Damon's eyes flickered, and he finally spoke, his voice cold as ice. "Lydia Ashford, haven't you caused enough trouble?" But Lydia acted as if she hadn't heard him, ---- continuing to press. "Not enough! Not only is it not enough, I'm going to cause even more trouble! Say it! Do you like her or not? If you don't like her, why spend so much money on her? Why throw such a grand birthday celebration for her? Why protect her, even using your own body to shield her from arrows?" Damon's expression grew uglier, anger flashing in his eyes. He suddenly grabbed Lydia's wrist, his voice low." Lydia Ashford, don't push me." But Lydia seemed to have thrown caution to the wind, her voice sharp. "I'm pushing you? Damon Blackwood, you're the one pushing me! I've loved you for so many years, yet you hurt me again and again for your mortal enemy's sister! Do you even havea heart?" Lydia's voice still echoed in the banquet hall, sharp and grating, like a knife stabbing into Damon's eardrums. Her questioning, her accusations, seemed to tear his ---- heart to pieces. Damon's face was cold as ice, but a barely perceptible panic flashed in his eyes. He waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards to drag Lydia away. "You didn't give me an answer, but you gave me the final answer! How ridiculous you are-madly in love yet still thinking about using her!" As the bodyguards dragged Lydia out, her voice remained sharp, as if she wanted to vent all her grievances and unwillingness. Damon's face instantly turned ashen, his fingers clenched into fists, knuckles white. His gaze swept over everyone present, eyes cold as ice. "Enough." After Lydia was dragged away, the banquet hall fell into deathly silence. The Beta wolves looked at each other, faces full of unease and confusion. Finally, someone couldn't help but speak. "Alpha, why didn't you just say you like