Vance'

rted, a sharp retort ready on her tongue, but a voice cut through th

the hell are y

in his training gear, his muscles slick with sweat, radiating an aura of

to Seraphina, pulling her behind him in a possessive, pro

d to her, his voice a soft caress.

was a mask of cold fury. "I'm order

ur property? Ryker, have you forgotten where

aled, her hand tightening on Ryker's arm. "Ryker," she whispere

nt of truth. The moment he would either

arefully constructed canvas of sorrow and weary resignatio

lse sincerity for the entire crowd to hear. "T

to process the words. Leo, standin

"Months ago, my mother was on her deathbed. Her last wish was to see

egiver who looked after my mother in her final days. To grant my mother's dying wish,

was also... believable. A devoted son, desperate to comfort his

ing his dead mother. He was defiling

head, a storm of pure rage. *He insult

ntment. "I paid you well for your help, Elara. I thought we had an agreement. It was just an ac

ger the villain; he was the tragic, noble son. And I was the greedy, co

instant. The whispers of scandal becam

just a gol

sing a dying wo

yes full of sympathy and adoration. "Oh, you poor thing,"

but from an anger so pure and

f his deception. "Our bond was sealed under the full moon!

ou see?" he said to the crowd. "She's still keeping up

ve. "Leo, this is a private matter. I need you to r

r's story, however vile, was seamless on the su

into the house, away from the sordid mess he had created. He threw

. Take the money you were give