Just then, the door burst open.


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    Luna Zara stormed in, her face pale with fury.


    “ric Vale!” she snapped. “Riley has been missing for weeks! How can you sit here plotting like nothing has happened?”


    ric didn’t even flinch.


    “If that filthy little wretch wanted to leave, let her. She’s nothing to this Pack.”


    “She’s your daughter!”


    “She’s a stain on the Ebonw name,” he snarled. “And the sooner she disappears, the better.”


    Luna Zara opened her mouth to protest again–but Scarlett stepped in.


    “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll make sure we get what we want.”


    And she would.


    Riley Vale had stolen enough already.


    Now it was time for the ‘real‘ daughter to im what was hers.


    Luna Zara felt as if her heart had plunged into an icy cer the moment ric’s ruthless words hit her. Tears welled up swiftly in her eyes, swirling painfully before spilling over.


    Her voice trembled as she choked out, “Riley is our daughter too. How can you be so heartless toward her?”


    “She was lost because of you when she was little. She suffered so much–don’t you feel even a shred of guilt?”


    ric’s face twisted into a mocking sneer. “Heartless? Guilty? Don’t forget, it was you who deleted the surveince footage that could have proved her innocence. You destroyed the only evidence that cleared Riley. If anyone is cruel, it’s you.”


    Zara’s body shook, struck to the core by his words. Pain and regret etched deeply across her face, tears streaming endlessly down her cheeks.


    She sobbed, voice breaking with helplessness<b>, </b>“I… I did it for Scarlett. She was so young, it was unintentional. I just didn’t want her to bear such a heavy burden at such an early age…‘


    “Now you me me?” ric spat. “I was foolish then–are you any less so now?”


    Nearby, Scarlett immediately threw on the most pitiful expression she could muster and clung to her mother, tears filling her eyes. “Mom, I never meant it. I regret it every day. If I had known how badly Riley would be hurt, I would have confessed no matter what.”


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    Seeing her daughter so broken, Zara’s anger softened, reced by aching tenderness. She gently stroked Scarlett’s hair and said softly, “Scarlett, I’m not ming you. You’re my daughter. No one knows you better than I do.”


    Scarlett’s eyes, however, glinted with cold mockery beneath the tears. So easy to fool. Just a few false tears, a little performance–and they’re all wrapped around my finger.


    Her nce flicked to the infirmary door, where Dean Elira ckthorn stood. Their eyes met briefly, both shing triumphant smiles. Elira even secretly gave Scarlett a thumbs–up.


    Scarlett’s heart swelled with satisfaction. This was strategy–distract and conquer. To have Luna Zarapletely fooled was intoxicating.


    ric noticed Dean Elira standing just out of Zara’s line of sight. With a subtle flick, Elira lifted the hem of her uniform coat, revealing the sheer ck stockings beneath–just for a moment, just for him.


    His expression softened imperceptibly, recalling her warmth earlier that day. A hunger stirred within him, but with Zara present, he kept it well hidden.


    He gave Elira a subtle nod.


    Luna Zara, meanwhile, was oblivious to these silent exchanges. She cradled her daughter gently, whispering soothing words, unaware of the betrayal unfolding just outside the room.


    ric scowled and muttered, “I fear nothing but your crocodile tears. I’ll send men to find that wretched girl immediately.”


    He pulled out his phone, seemingly sending orders to find Riley. Yet the message was actually meant for Elira, and the crude tone made her blush and weaken in the knees.


    Throughout this, Zara remained focused onforting Scarlett, unaware of the hidden games being yed between her mate and the dean.


    After some time, Zara sighed quietly, thinking of the events five years ago. How could she me Scarlett?


    It all felt like fate.


    When Scarlett finally calmed down, she smiled sweetly at her mother. “Mom, I’m sorry. I was foolish. You’re still injured, yet youfort me. Please get some rest in your room. Don’t overexert yourself.”


    Zara’s heart softened further, exhaustion ebbing away. She gently patted Scarlett’s back and said warmly, “My foolish girl, I’m fine. As long as you’re well, I can rest easy.”


    Then she turned to ric with a stern look. “ric, send more people to search for Riley. She is our daughter, no matter what she’s done. We cannot simply abandon her.”


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