Cassian hadpletely shattered I''s heart.


    Almost everyone in Regalhold''s elite social circle had just witnessed him kissing a woman so far beneath their ss, it was scandalous. If I still insisted on being with him after that, it would be nothing short of humiliating herself.


    So, I had to choose Pierce. She had no other choice.


    Not far away. Pierce had heard every word. For just a second, a sh of wild joy crossed his otherwise stern face.


    Over the past six months, he had be increasingly aware of how much of a threat Cassian posed to his position.


    Pierce had brought up the idea of marrying I to his father more than once, but each time he was brushed off with excuses about being too busy.


    Pierce knew the truth. His father was grooming Cassian. Lately, Pierce had been on the verge of giving up the fight.


    But now Carl had openly expressed disappointment in Cassian. And I had just confessed her feelings for Pierce in front of everyone. It all felt too good to be true.


    Once he secured the Thornton family''s support, Pierce would be locked in as the Lysander family''s next heir.


    And once word got out that Cassian had kissed some low-born woman in front of Regalhold''s high society, no other noble family would consider tying their daughter to a man with such poor judgment.


    It meant Cassian would no longer be a threat. Pierce turned his head and nced at Cassian. A slow, cold smile crept across


    his face.


    Cassian had always been sharp, but now, at such a critical moment, he had blown it.


    "Marrying a woman with the right background can change everything. Pierce thought. ''But Cassian just doesn''t get it. If he''s willing to throw away his future for some nobody, then he deserves to live with the consequences.


    Pierce quickly suppressed the thrill rushing through him, then strode over to I''s side with an expression of concern. "I, are you alright?" he asked gently.


    I slowly ced her hand on his arm, using it for support as she tried to stand. Pierce took her hand and helped her to her feet.


    The moment their skin touched, I felt a wave of disgust rise inside her.


    But the sting of Cassian''s betrayal still burned, and she forced the revulsion down.


    She turned her head slightly and looked toward Doyle.


    "Brigadier General Conrad," she said clearly, she snuck into the party with a fake invitation. Not only that, she also spread lies iming the General invited her personally, and even said he awarded her a medal. I''ve got proof"


    I handed her phone to Doyle, screen already open to the recording.


    Doyle took the phone carefully, brows furrowed.


    Then, Raven''s voice yed loud and clear, her conversation with Ruth from two hours ago.


    As soon as the recording ended, the crowd''s gaze toward Raven shifted entirely. Now, they looked at her like she was already dead.


    10:59 Sat, 19 Apr A


    No wonder she dared to act so recklessly and Cassian they thought he''spletely meme With jou toe ture crimes, she''s probably looking at a life sentence if not worse


    At the same time. Pierce nced at Cassian again, this time with something doen in pity in his eyes


    Cassian had good status, looks, and talent. And now, he had throw it all away because of a woman.


    At that moment, Pierce knew Cassian had lost any chance of ever inheriting de Lysander family


    With the way things had gone in thest six months, Coin showed how powerful and talented he was just marrying someone from a first-tier family in Regalhold would have been enough to secure his future as the next heir of the yeader family.


    Too bad for Cassian, he had chosen a woman who brought absolutely nothing to the table, someone where would only deng him down, Hey, Cassian, Pierce thought sisugly, Trom now on, you''ll always be beneath me. What a pathetic end


    Pierce''s face twisted with satisfaction as the crowd''s attention mrned luck to Doyle. Doyle issued a firmmand to the two guards nearby. "Take her to Regalhold Prison. She''ll await further julgent de


    "Yes, sir, the two guards responded in unison


    But just as they were about to move, a deep, authoritative voice rang out at ross


    the grand hall. It was Lorne. I''d like to we who dares