<h4>Chapter 414: Chapter 414 The Truth Unravels 2</h4>


    Author’s pov


    Martha’s usation froze the room.


    Maggie stopped mid-step, her expression stiffening as every eye turned toward her.


    "Cassian," Alpha?Yardley said sharply, his voice echoing through the hall. "What in the Goddess’s name happened out there?"


    The weight of his Alpha aura rippled through the air, pressing down on every wolf present.


    Zane stood by the wall with a nk face, as if he had lost his spirit.


    Cassian started to speak in a calm voice.


    He told them everything—the ambush, the gunfire, the chase.


    When he talked about his encounter with Cecilia and Tang, Cecilia stepped forward.


    Her voice was steady and strong.


    "They were waiting for us," she said. "Trained soldiers. Military precision. They knew exactly where we’d be."


    Alpha Yardley and Luna Regina exchanged uneasy looks.


    Regina’s eyes dropped to Cecilia’s stomach, her instincts as a mother kicking in.


    Alpha Sebastian ’s jaw tightened, his expression hardening like stone.


    "If not for Cassian and Cecilia," Martha said, her voice trembling with anger and relief, "I wouldn’t have made it back alive."


    The Cole patriarch let out a cold, humorlessugh.


    "It’s not just you who almost died," he said. "All three of you could have been lost. And you—"


    His eyes locked on Zane, "you’ve already buried a wife and a son. Do you n to watch your mother, daughter, and nephew join them?"


    Zane flinched as if struck.


    His gaze found Maggie’s, full of confusion, hurt, and something dangerously close to loyalty.


    Maggie forced a bitter smile.


    "So this is what it’se to?" she said. "You’re all ming me again? I tried to help Daisy, but now you say I had secret ns.


    Mother falls into trouble, and suddenly I’m the viin pulling the strings. What next? Someone gets sick tomorrow, and you’ll use me of cursing them?"


    Her voice trembled, the perfect mix of wounded pride and practiced innocence.


    "I’m just your scapegoat, aren’t I? The monster you need every time something goes wrong."


    Zane’s shoulders loosened as doubt crept back into his eyes.


    Poppy couldn’t stand it any longer.


    She stepped forward, her voice sharp and clear.


    "Stop pretending, Maggie. The men you hired were caught, and they confessed. They said you gave the order yourself."


    The words caught and confessed hit Maggie like a p.


    For a split second, fear shed in her eyes before she masked it with defiance.


    "Where are these men now?" the Cole patriarch demanded.


    Poppy’s stomach tightened. She hadn’t expected to be pressed on that.


    The im had been pure bluff, thrown out in anger.


    They hadn’t captured anyone. They’d barely escaped alive.


    Cassian caught on quickly. He leaned back, his voice smooth and confident.


    "No need to rush," he said, pulling out his phone. "I can have them brought here right now."


    He called Tang, his face calm and unreadable.


    The men had been stopped earlier by Alpha Sebastian ’s security team, the same group protecting Cecilia’s parents.


    Cassian had told Tang to bring them to the Locke residence after the banquet.


    By now, they should have arrived.


    The call went through after a few rings.


    Wind roared in the background. Tang’s voice came in, low and tense.


    "The captives are dead. A sniper shot them. I’m chasing the shooter."


    Cassian’s chest tightened.


    Tang never exaggerated. If he sounded serious, it meant things were bad.


    "Abort the chase," Cassian ordered. "Get back now. Stay alert."


    He hung up and looked around at the expectant faces.


    "The captives are dead," he said quietly. "All of them."


    The room fell into heavy silence. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.


    A shocked silence swept through the room.


    Dead? So fast?


    Everyone understood what it meant. Someone had given the order to cover it up, and they had acted fast.


    The air turned heavy, thick with fear.


    When death bes routine, even the strongest wolves remember they can bleed.


    Maggie didn’t flinch. Her face was calm, almost bored.


    "Mom," she said, voice t and cold, "you don’t actually think I gave that order, do you? I’ve been sitting here the whole time. I haven’t even touched my phone. Try to be logical with your usations."


    Martha’s eyes stayed hard, her suspicion cutting deeper than any words.


    Cassian exhaled, his tone dry and mocking.


    "Well, that’s a shame. Without them, our proof just vanished. Should’ve recorded their confessions while I had the chance. My bad."


    Maggie’s lips curved into a faint, icy smile.


    "I wouldn’t hurt anyone. Killing people? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?"


    "Save the act," Cassian shot back, voice low but sharp. "We all know who you are."


    The room went still again. Every gaze turned toward Maggie, quiet judgment flickering in their eyes.


    Maggie let out a short, bitterugh that could not hide her anger.


    "Say what you want. I’m done wasting my time here."


    She turned toward the door. No one stopped her.


    Just as her hand touched the handle, a soft voice broke the silence.


    "Dad," Cecilia said sweetly, her tone almost yful. "You mentioned transferring your shares to me. I’m still waiting. Whether I forgive you depends on your sincerity. Don’t let me down."


    Maggie froze. Her shoulders stiffened. The calm mask began to crack.


    Cecilia’s smile widened, her eyes cool and bright.


    "Oh, and Dad," she added, "you might want to talk it over with Aunt Maggie. I’ll give you one week. That should be enough."


    Zane stood rooted to the floor, his mouth half open, no wordsing out.


    Maggie’s nails dug into her palms until tiny crescents of blood appeared.


    Her eyes turned red with fury, the polite mask gone.