He released my arm but remained close, ready to restrain me again if necessary. "We''ve already searched the vi thoroughly," he exined. "There were no surveince cameras in the dungeon where Matriarch Stone and Ms. Frost met."


    My heart sank at his words. Of course there wouldn''t be cameras-Matriarch Evelyn valued privacy above all else.


    "The footage from outside only shows Matriarch Evelyn directing her guards to bring Ms. Frost into the dungeon," the enforcer continued. "After that, we have no visual record of what transpired between them."


    Chief Garrison nodded in agreement. "Without witnesses or evidence linking Ms. Frost directly to Matriarch Stone''s death, we can''t file formal charges at this time."


    I felt thest of my hope crumbling. "But the substance Dr. Fletcher found-"


    "Could have been administered before Ms. Frost arrived," Chief Garrison finished for me. "The timeline is unclear, and Ms. Frost was restrained the entire time she was with the Matriarch."


    The enforcers exchanged nces, their decision already made. "We''ll continue investigating." the lead enforcer assured us, "but for now, this appears to be a pack matter rather than a


    < Chapter 103: Victoria''s Decep... criminal one."


    +15 Points>


    They departed with professional nods, leaving the pack to handle the situation internally. I stood frozen, watching as Victoria was once again going to escape justice.


    (Victoria''s POV)


    The moment my restraints were fully removed, I rushed to Ethan''s side, clinging to him as I continued my stream of tearful apologies.


    "Ethan, I''m so sorry," I whispered, pressing my face against his chest. "Seeing Grandmother copse in front of me, I wanted to rush over to save her, but I was bound with those awful restraints, I couldn''t move."


    I felt his body stiffen slightly at my touch, but he didn''t push me away. That small victory gave me confidence to continue my performance.


    "In just moments, I watched her eyes close," I said, my voice breaking artfully. "I was so panicked, I could only shout desperately, call for the guards... But... It was toote, I still couldn''t save Grandmother..."


    My tears soaked through Ethan''s hospital gown as I trembled against him. The fabric still smelled of the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, reminding me that he''d been recovering from his own injuries when this new tragedy struck.


    Slowly, hesitantly, his hand came up to pat my back. The gesture was mechanical,cking the warmth he usually showed me, but it was enough.


    "It has nothing to do with you," he assured me softly, though I could hear the doubt lingering in his voice.


    I pressed closer, hiding my face against his chest to conceal my expression. Beneath my outward disy of distress, triumph bloomed like a dark flower.


    I hadn''t nned to kill Matriarch Evelyn-not today, at least. But the old woman had brought it upon herself by interfering in my affairs.


    The memory of our final confrontation reyed in my mind. The matriarch''s withered face had contorted with rage as she used me of redirecting Lily''s kidney donor to Emma.


    "I know what you did," she had hissed, her ancient eyes burning with certainty. "You made sure your daughter received treatment while Ethan''s true daughter died!"


    I had denied it at first, maintaining my innocent facade. But as the old woman continued her usations, I realized she had actual evidence. She knew about my meeting with Nathan


    < Chapter 108: Victoria''s Decep


    ckwood, about the arrangements I''d made to ensure Emma received priority. That''s when I changed tactics.


    +15 Points >


    "So what if I did?" I had taunted, dropping my mask of innocence. "Lily was weak, sickly. She


    would have died eventually. Emma is strong-she deserved that kidney more." The matriarch''s face had paled with shock at my admission. "You monster," she had whispered.


    I had smiled then, knowing the Shadow Guard couldn''t hear our conversation through the thick walls. "And what about Olivia? That pathetic excuse for a Luna. Did you know she tried to kill herself after Lily died? Jumped into the river like a coward."


    Each word had been calcted to cause maximum distress. I had watched with cold satisfaction as Matriarch Evelyn''s breathing becamebored, her hand clutching at her chest.


    "Ethan deserves better than her," I had continued mercilessly. "He deserves me. And soon, he''ll be minepletely."


    The matriarch had gasped for breath, her eyes widening with pain and horror. I had watched impassively as she copsed to the floor, her frail body convulsing once before going still.


    Only then had I called for help, screaming with convincing terror until the Shadow Guard burst into the room.


    Now, as I cried against Ethan''s chest, I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction. With Matriarch Evelyn gone, thest significant obstacle to my ns had been removed.


    I lifted my head slightly, catching Olivia''s gaze over Ethan''s shoulder. I couldn''t resist the opportunity to twist the knife further.


    I let my mask slip for just an instant, allowing my blue eyes to gleam with malice


    as I stared directly at her. The message was clear: I killed the old woman, what can you do about it?