Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 97

A jolt of panic shot through Tessa. In that moment, she didn't even dare meet Leo's eyes. The crushing pain in her arm gave her nowhere to hide. All she could do was stammer, "Leo, there's a misunderstanding. Can we please talk about this at home? There are too many people here, this isn't the place..."

A cold, humorless laugh forced its way out of Leo's throat. With his bloodshot eyes, he looked like a demon clawing its way out of hell.

He gritted his teeth, forcing out every word as if they were chewing glass. "Talk about it at home? Do I look like an idiot to you, Tessa? Someone you can just lie to over and over again!"

With that, he violently threw her arm aside. Losing her balance, Tessa crashed into a microphone stand, sending a piercing, ear-splitting screech echoing throughout the arena.

Julian's face darkened. He walked over and instinctively shielded Tessa. "Leo, rein in your temper. We're at a competition, not a place for your tantrums."

Another dark scoff slipped past Leo's lips. His sanity was stretched to the absolute limit, like an overinflated balloon ready to burst at the slightest touch.

Seeing Julian step in to protect her, Tessa immediately played the victim, gripping Julian's sleeve. She said softly, "Julian... how could I possibly remember the details of something that happened over a decade ago? I don't know who's been filling Leo's head with lies to make him treat me like this. Please don't blame him. He's just losing control of his emotions."

Leo froze in his tracks. Tessa's words—seemingly caring but implicitly painting him as unhinged—made him burst into sudden, jarring laughter.

In that moment of sheer clarity, he realized: so, this is what Willow had to endure all these years, isn't it?

Beneath every one of Tessa's "understanding" little speeches, she had methodically stripped away all the family's trust in Willow, leaving her to bear the brunt of their endless accusations.

It was such a glaringly cheap theatrical act. Why hadn't he seen through it before?

Only now did Leo finally summon the courage to look at Willow. He expected to see vindication on her face, or perhaps the relief of having years of grievances finally validated. But there was... nothing.

She was just staring at them calmly, as if watching a ridiculously absurd comedy. She remained completely detached, having entirely severed herself from the Shaw family.

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