He felt as if Hera was watching his every move, judging him with each action he took. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, and fear started to grow in his heart. The thought, <i>’Would she forsake me if I make a wrong decision?’</i> made his heart tremble.


    "What’s wrong, Mr. Briley? Afraid to move forward and uncover more about this case?" Gerald taunted. Though he had no personal grudge against Rafael, seeing him hesitate frustrated Gerald. He was eager to see Rafael’s reaction when he connected the heinous crimes to his sister and how he would choose between right and wrong.


    He could sense his Young Miss’s increasing nervousness as she watched Rafael stare at the same page for over ten minutes. Her eyes followed his every expression—his frowns, the purse of his lips, and the subtle deep breaths he took to mask his unease whenever he encountered something particrly disturbing for the first time.


    The longer Hera watched Rafael hesitate, the more her nervousness grew, bordering on fear. She worried that Rafael might disregard all caution and protect his sister, regardless of the consequences. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to protect his sister, but she feared that such an action would reveal Rafael’s willingness to ignore right and wrong when it came to those he cared about. If that were the case, he would revert to the Rafael depicted in the novel—the very person Hera had worked so hard to help him ovee, guiding him to understand right from wrong.


    If Rafael truly regressed to the character depicted in the novel, it would mean that no matter how much effort she put into helping the male leads be a better version of themselves, her efforts would be undermined whenever such issues arise. When their interests are threatened, they might not hesitate tosh out at anyone in their way or fight anyone.


    Hera pursed her lips, contemting all the possibilities until the sound of a page flipping caught her attention. She heard Rafael’s audible gasp and turned to see his hands trembling as he gripped the folder tightly. His eyes were red with anger, and his entire presence radiated a menacing fury that overwhelmed even Hera. She could sense Rafael struggling to contain his rage, though he couldn’t hold back the torrent of curses that followed.


    "FUCK!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!!!" he muttered under his breath, clenching his jaw so tightly that a vein throbbed at the corner. Veins also pulsed in his forehead and hands as he seethed with anger, struggling to contain his rage. He resisted the urge tosh out at those around him or the surroundings, knowing it wouldn’t help him process the shocking information he had just read.


    "Gerald, are these things true, or are you using my sister to target me?" Rafael demanded, his eyes zing with intense emotion as he stared at Gerald, who sat directly in front of him. Gerald met his gaze unflinchingly, showing no sign of being intimidated.


    Gerald shook his head calmly, holding Rafael’s gaze for a moment before responding nonchntly. "If I were targeting either of you, I would have sent this folder to the police and let them handle it without involving myself. The fact that I contacted you through Miss Ainsley first means that I want to hear your perspective on this evidence, and nothing more."


    Gerald’s words offered little rity, and Rafael inhaled sharply as he studied the page. It revealed that all the victims listed in the folder had had conflicts with Minerva over Alexi. These women had either flirted with, shown interest in, or pursued Alexi, with or without Minerva’s presence. Minerva had confronted them and, before leaving, had issued a warning to watch their backs.


    And what did she mean by that, beyond what was stated in the report?