Chapter 166
Chapter 167 Open Defiance
Kyren crossed his arms and leaned halfway out, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips as he leisurely sized up Zev and the team behind him.
Yannis‘ tone turned icy. “Spare me the nonsense. We are here to protect Guide Lyra.
“If someone hadn’t brought her to this dangerously unstable facility without authorization, she would never have been frightened like this p>
The uninformed Sentinels suddenly saw the whole picture.
They’d always sensed something off lately–especially Hadrien, who’d seemed like a completely different person.
Now it all made sense. Every last one of them had been keeping Lyra to themselves, leaving the rest of them in the dark this entire time.
“Wow. You guys wanna poach our Guide, yet you still find a way to pin the blame on others.” Rhys‘ face twisted with open disdain.
Lior’s brows snapped together at once. As a representative of the Guide Protection Association, he had to salvage its reputation and keep Guides from thinking their organization abused its
power.
“We are acting out of responsibility for her safety. If anything happened to her, every single one of you here would face exile–and even that wouldn’t be enough to atone for the damage p>
“Is that so?” Draven rarely dropped his easygoing smile, his voice sharp and unamused. “All I see is a huge federal task force rolling up here and scaring the daylights out of her p>
Lucian drawled in agreement. “Right. You’ve traumatized her. How do you plan to make amends for that p>
Lyra clung tightly to Hadrien, her body shaking with quiet sobs in his arms. She buried her face against his chest, utterly unwilling to face the crowd outside.
Yannis pulled his gaze away from her, tone accusatory. “Who knows whether you people have been making exaggerated and frightening statements to scare her, so she would resist us this much p>
He addressed Lyra directly. “Ms. Kaelin, everything these people have told you is nothing but unfounded lies. None of it is true.
“We only came to take you back, where you’ll receive the full benefits and protection of the Federation. We mean you no harm p>
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Kyren wore a half–amused, half–scoffing look. “Long time no see, Mr. Sterling. Still the same old master of shifting blame, aren’t you? What was your previous job again? You’ve got quite the silver tongue p>
Yannis shot him a frigid glare, done wasting words on him.
He refocused his attention on Lyra.
“Ms. Kaelin, we act on the will of the entire Federation. We only wish to relocate you to a far safer environment. Please trust us and come with us p>
Lyra’s shoulders trembled, and she shook her head firmly once more.
Hadrien frowned down at the top of her head, then turned his eyes and demanded, “Can’t you see she doesn’t want to go p>
Yannis spotted the bandages wrapped around Lyra’s injured foot, his tone turning even harsher.
“Hadrien, we have not yet pursued the charge of you abducting a Guide. She was injured on the grounds you oversee, which makes you fully accountable. You have no right to speak here p>
Hadrien’s gaze turned razor–sharp.
Were they actually planning to arrest and convict him on the spot?
At those words, Lyra abruptly lifted her tear–blurred face and waved her hands frantically at Yannis in protest.
Zev had been watching silently, his gaze lingering on her tear–streaked, red–rimmed face.
Knowing none of them understood, Lyra’s shoulders hitched repeatedly as she fought back tears and typed quickly on her Star Brain.
“I hurt my foot by myself. It has absolutely nothing to do with Hadrien p>
If Hadrien was convicted and taken away, she would be completely alone here.
“Lyra…” Hadrien’s eyes darkened as he stared down at her, his gaze heavy with unspoken
emotion.
It was in this moment that Yannis and Lior finally realized the truth.
The reason they had only seen her body shaking without hearing a single cry was simple–she could not speak at all.
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Chapter 167 Open Defiance
Yannis exchanged a quick glance with Lior.
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“Ms. Kaelin, we have not yet finalized the full list of charges against Hadrien. Why not return with us first? We can negotiate and settle this matter properly p>
Harlan said coldly, “Are you trying to coax the Guide into compliance p>
Yannis immediately straightened, defensive. “Mr. Korth is right here. Watch your words and speak with evidence p>
Confident that Oversight Captain Zev’s presence kept even Hadrien in check, Yannis carried himself with arrogant authority.
“Mm. What you just said did have a tendency to coax the Guide into compliance p>
Zev’s voice was flat, devoid of any emotion or inflection.
Yannis twisted around in shock, stunned to be reprimanded out of nowhere.
Zev did not spare him a single glance, keeping his dull, official tone as he spoke to Lyra. “Come with us immediately. This Grade–two planet holds inadequate safety standards for a Guide p>
Lyra’s fingers tightened desperately around the sleeve of Hadrien’s uniform.
She stared pleadingly at Zev, silently begging for leniency.
“I’m perfectly happy here. Please don’t take me away p>
Faced with her glistening, tearful eyes, Zev shook his head and stuck rigidly to protocol.
“That is not possible. Under Interstellar Federation law, no individual or organization may harbor a Guide in private custody. Violators will be charged with treason p>
Lyra’s eyes widened in shock, and she instantly looked up at Hadrien, typing frantically again.
“You said you’d take good care of Guides. This is the only place I can eat and sleep in peace p>
Zev replied tonelessly, “We have specialized medication and equipment to regulate your rest cycles. Once you are asleep, we can administer liquid nutrition intravenously to sustain all bodily functions. You will be fully cared for p>
Though he finished with the reassurance that she had nothing to fear, his words struck Lyra as chillingly clinical–the way one would speak of an unresponsive patient, not a living, conscious
person.
Her resistance toward everything related to Core Prime flared stronger than ever.
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“I don’t want that! I refuse to leave p>
Done with the conversation, Zev lifted a hand, signaling several Sentinels forward to seize her.
Lyra’s face drained of all color.
Hadrien stepped instantly in front of her, shielding her entirely.
Zev’s voice remained monotonous and mechanical, just like a Star Brain’s automated broadcast.
“You are openly defying federal authority. Do you intend to add further charges to your record p>
Hadrien’s voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl. “It’s clear she doesn’t want to go. How is your brute–force coercion any different from rebels p>
Zev ignored the accusation, stating flatly, “You may call it whatever you wish. I will press charges for defamation if you continue p>
He gestured again for his Sentinels to move in and take Lyra into custody.
Hadrien’s expression turned dark and stormy.
The next second, a massive nightmare beast materialized silently, its imposing figure blocking their path.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.