Chapter 466
Chapter 466
3rd Person’s POV
“I…” Seraphina faltered.
For the first time since stepping forward, she found herself at a loss for words.
Dozens of eyes were fixed on her now. Their attention was sharp enough to feel like claws dragging across
her skin.
“I know because I p>
The explanation never came.
A powerful voice suddenly split the air.
“How dare you all p>
The words crashed across the lawn like thunder.
Several volunteers startled. The senior healers instinctively stiffened as a powerful aura swept through the gathering.
Jude Knight strode into the crowd.
His team followed close behind, looking less like companions and more like men attempting-and failing- to restrain a furious predator.
The scent of agitation rolled off him in waves.
His wolf was awake.
Angry.
Every muscle in his body radiated restrained violence.
His eyes swept across the assembly before settling on the council members seated upon the dais.
“No,” Disbelief darkened his expression. “Tell me I’m not seeing this correctly.” The crowd parted instinctively before him. “You dragged the daughter of my savior in front of an audience and put her on trial like a criminal p>
His gaze sharpened.
“This is how Lunar Grace delivers justice p>
The pressure in the air intensified.
“You publicly accuse someone innocent and demand she defend herself against lies p>
His laugh was devoid of humor. “And this academy calls itself the finest institution in all Verdanth p>
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Chapter 466
The growl that followed vibrated through the ground.
“For Goddess’s sake, you should all be ashamed p>
Silence crashed over the lawn.
Even the wind seemed to be still.
“Sir,” one of his men said carefully, stepping forward. “Please calm yourself p>
Jude barely seemed to hear him.
Professor Hilal rose from his seat.
“Sir Knight,” he said evenly, “believe me when I say none of us are comfortable with this situation.” His gaze shifted briefly toward Lylah.
“However, these accusations have spread throughout Verdanth. We must establish the truth-not only for Lunar Grace’s reputation, but for yours and Lady Lylah’s as well p>
Before Jude could respond, Tessalonika spoke.
“As everyone knows, the article published this morning portrayed you and Lylah in a compromising p>
“To hell with that article p>
The interruption cracked through the gathering like a whip.
Jude’s nostrils flared.
“I’ve already sent my men after whoever published that garbage. And when I find them, I will personally make them regret ever believing they could destroy someone’s reputation without consequence p>
Jude’s gaze moved to Lylah.
The fury in his expression softened slightly.
“Apparently, sharing a meal with my savior’s daughter-someone I hold in the highest regard—is enough for people to fabricate a scandal p>
His lip curled.
“Pathetic p>
Then he turned back toward the council.
“My entire team was there that night.” Jude pointed toward the newspaper clenched in one volunteer’s hands. “That photograph was manipulated. The men sitting around us were removed from the image p>
Gasps erupted immediately.
The murmurs grew louder.
“What p>
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“It was edited p>
“You mean they weren’t alone p>
Jude’s jaw tightened. “Whoever released that picture deliberately altered it p>
The crowd exploded into whispers.
For the first time, the narrative that had seemed so convincing began to fracture.
And Seraphina felt the ground shift beneath her feet. Cold sweat slid down the back of her neck.
Her wolf, which had been smugly satisfied moments earlier, suddenly stirred in alarm.
No.
No, this wasn’t how this was supposed to happen.
The mentors had been questioning Lylah. The crowd had been turning against her. Everything had been unfolding perfectly.
So why was everyone suddenly looking elsewhere?
Why did it feel as though the hunters had turned toward a different target?
A hand abruptly seized her wrist.
Seraphina nearly gasped.
Maeve.
The senior healer’s grip was iron.
Without a word, she dragged her student away from the gathering.
They stopped only when the sounds of the crowd became distant.
Maeve spun toward her. “What did you do p>
Seraphina froze.
Maeve stepped closer. “It wasn’t you, was it? You didn’t take that photograph, edit it, and send it across Verdanth, did you p>
The blood drained from Seraphina’s face.
Maeve’s nails bit painfully into her wrist.
“Answer me p>
For the first time, genuine panic entered the senior healer’s eyes.
“Because if this leads back to you…” Her grip tightened. “Not even I will be able to save you from what
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15:57 Sat,
The Betrayed Princess Rising