?Chapter 1154:


    With unease stamped across her face, Elyse kept her eyes fixed on the floor.


    Watching Elyse, Elena felt nothing but contempt. Elyse had the nerve to steal someone else’s ne but didn’t dare to own up to it. A mockingugh slipped from her. “Why not ask yourpanion?”


    Turning to Elyse, Lord Rosethorne asked, “Well? Care to fill me in?”


    Words tangled on Elyse’s tongue. Confession was impossible, especially with the failed scheme hanging in the air.


    However, even without Elyse’s exnation, Lord Rosethorne put the pieces together fast. The ne must have something to do with Elyse. Her being at his side tied him to everything she’d done. Her trouble had be his to deal with. If the Queen ever learned that the ne was missing because of the girl he’d brought along, the me wouldnd on him just the same. He had to cover her tracks. No one could know she was the thief.


    A quick scan of the hallway assured Lord Rosethorne that nobody was watching. He faced Elena, voice tight with calcted reprimand as he tried to shift the me to her. “You realize this is the Queen’s ne, right? And still you dare—”


    A low, casual male voice interrupted Lord Rosethorne mid-sentence, sharp and effortless. “What are you doing here?”


    Torin wandered over, phone in hand, and casually stopped beside Elena.


    Stunned, Lord Rosethorne stiffened, unsure how to react. The Duke of ckwood’s sudden appearance threw himpletely off guard. What possible reason did Torin have for showing up now, and why did he seem so familiar with that woman?


    Not wanting to risk a misstep, Lord Rosethorne kept silent and watched the scene unfold. Being cautious around the royal family was natural, but Torin was a different beast altogether. Torin was a wild card. Rules meant nothing to him, and whatever he chose to do depended entirely on the mood that happened to strike him. Crossing him brought consequences far harsher than anything one might face for angering a royal.


    A flick of Torin’s wrist sent his phone into his pocket. His eyes roamed over the room, finallynding on Elena, whose face revealed nothing. “Quite the gathering here. What’s the conversation about?”


    Lord Rosethorne didn’t dare try to frame Elena anymore. He could sense there was more between Torin and Elena than he’d realized. He changed tactics immediately. “Your Grace, I didn’t know she was a friend of yours. There’s been a little mix-up. Mypanion came across the Queen’s ne by ident, and we were about to give it back.”


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    Lord Rosethorne shot a quick look at Elyse, signaling her to pick up the ne from the floor.


    Barely able to breathe, Elyse reluctantly bent down to collect the ne, following Lord Rosethorne’s lead despite her embarrassment. Nothing had gone to n. The setup she’d orchestrated for Elena hadpletely unraveled. Jealousy simmered beneath her frustration. Why did Elena always have powerful allies on her side? With the Princess, Princes, and even the Duke of ckwood in her corner, Elena seemed untouchable.


    Elyse red at Elena with resentment, but when her eyes met Torin’s, a chill ran through her, like she had been dunked into freezing water. Instinctively, she…


    dropped her gaze, not daring to challenge him. She’d almost forgotten just how terrifying this man could be.


    Not wanting to linger, Elyse hurried upstairs, the ne in tow, as if fleeing for her life.


    A derisive smirk escaped Torin, and a look of contempt flickered in his eyes.


    Doing his best to save face, Lord Rosethorne forced a polite smile. “I’ll leave you to catch up with your friend, Your Grace.” Without further dy, he turned and retreated.


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