Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 403

Tessa's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "Elias... I poured my heart and soul into creating that. What gives you the right...?"

Elias cut her off before she could even finish. "I don't need to remind you exactly how you 'created' your research, do I, Tessa?"

Tessa froze, her fists trembling at her sides.

Taking a deep breath, she swallowed the bitter realization that he had her exactly where he wanted her. She forced a placating smile. "Elias, I haven't even perfected the formula yet. You have to give me more time..."

Elias's gaze was ice-cold. "I'm having three laboratories set up for you at the palace, and I've already flown your domestic team in. My patience is wearing thin, Tessa. I expect results. Fast."

Tessa lowered her eyes, her jaw clenching so hard her teeth ached.

What the hell was she to him? Just a convenient little tool?

As if reading her mind, Elias’s tone dipped into freezing territory. "Don't even think about trying to play me, Tessa. You're drowning in debt and staring down the barrel of criminal charges. Without me, you're nothing. Besides, I know exactly where you got that patent. If you don't want the reputation you've sacrificed so much for to go up in smoke, I suggest you behave."

Tessa stared at him in a daze, her mind helplessly flashing back to three months ago.

Back then, Willow hadn't completely flipped her personality.

Elias had secretly pulled Tessa into a dressing room, holding her tight as he murmured again and again, "You know you're the only one I love, Tessa. I would never betray you."

She had known 'forever' was a stretch, but she hadn't expected him to break in less than three months.

All those whispered promises had dissolved into a pathetic joke.

Unable to hold back, she demanded, "What did I ever do to deserve this from you?"

Elias paused for a fraction of a second, his eyes utterly devoid of warmth. "You're facing multiple criminal charges, Tessa. Don't you think playing the innocent victim is a little ridiculous now? If you did nothing wrong, why is the law coming for you?"

His words were a lethal blow.

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