Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 236

9:36 Tue, Jun 30

Scarlett

Chapter 236

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How had it ame to this? My mind wondered as the discussions went on, pieces of the past weaving into my thoughts, Aliam’s namese

had been the spark that ignited this entire disaster. If only she had been more cautious, more discerning with the information the shand

with my father, one of this might have happened.

My mother wouldn’t have died with a broken heart, and my childhood might have been something entirely different. Even my father’s

who could say how his life would have turned out if Alison had kept her silence?

It was a sobering thought, one that left a bitter taste in my mouth. People often spoke of the importance of honesty, but moments like this made it clear: words had weight, and sometimes silence was the better choice.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Elsa, with her cryptic tendencies, had learned that lesson long ago. Even Alison seemed to have grown more reserved in her speech now, perhaps as a consequence of the devastation her earlier openness had caused.

The next morning brought no relief from the tension. As we prepared for the battle, a call came through from David. Lucian put him on speaker, and the sound of his voice made my skin crawl. It was high-pitched and oily, filled with the kind of smarmy confidence that

always set me on edge.

David was requesting troops and ammunition, claiming the South needed reinforcements to defend itself. His words might have sounded reasonable on the surface, but I knew better.

His voice grated against my nerves, a stark reminder of the role he’d played in my father’s death. Though no solid proof had ever surfaced, I had no doubt in my mind that David had orchestrated it. His motives were obvious-greed, plain and simple. He’d wanted power, and my father had stood in his way.

I clenched my fists as I listened to him ramble, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. My wolf stirred restlessly, mirroring my frustration. I exchanged a glance with Lucian, and I could see the same disgust reflected in his eyes.

David’s schemes were becoming clearer with each passing moment. He wouldn’t have had direct power over the South if I had been in charge, and he knew it. I wasn’t the type to be easily manipulated, and even if he had once thought otherwise, my lack of a wolf must have convinced him I was vulnerable.

That was likely why he chose my father’s bastard instead-a young, naïve pawn he could control. The boy was barely eighteen, too inexperienced to understand the gravity of the role David intended for him.

But I knew better. David was the real enemy here. Elsa’s warning about Nikolay still echoed in my mind: his core was dark, his essence corrupted. She had made it clear-if Nikolay wasn’t eliminated, he would bring nothing but ruin and destruction to our world.

That alone was enough motivation for me to put aside any fleeting thoughts of sparing his life. Besides, he would never accept me. My mother had killed his, and I had no doubt that fury still burned within him. Whatever anger he already felt had likely been stoked further by David, who was undoubtedly whispering poison into his ear.

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Chapter 236

didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but the pieces were aligning in a way that painted a dear picture. Young Nurkey victim of manipulation he was becoming the catalyst for all of this chaos.

Garland’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts, his frustration evident. “We can see through David’s ploy.” he said, his tone goal is obvious: weaken the North’s defenses, leave us exposed, and then strike when we’re at our most vulnerable. He’s spreading that you’ve been defeated in the North. He likely hopes to use that as leverage-or perhaps as bait to gauge our strength.

Lucian chuckled dryly, a sound that carried more disdain than humor. “Let’s play his game for now,” he said, reaching for the phone. He decided to call David back, his face calm but his eyes gleaming with a dangerous edge. When David answered, Lucian switched to speake mode so we could all hear.

“I’m sure you’ve heard about our recent battle with the East,” Lucian began, his voice carefully measured. “We’re still recovering. Is the

need truly urgent?”

David’s reply came quickly, smooth and insincere. “The South is overrun with criminal gangs. They’re overwhelming our systems. Perhaps

you three could come down and see the situation for yourselves. Then you’d understand what I’m dealing with.”

It was a weak attempt at luring us into a trap, and everyone in the room could see it. Still, Lucian played along, keeping his tone even. “Our military capacity is stretched thin right now. We’ll need time to figure something out. Hold on as best you can.”

David seemed unsatisfied with the answer but said nothing more before ending the call. As the line went dead, Lucian’s expression shifted, his mask of civility slipping to reveal the fury beneath.

“Transparent,” Maxwell muttered, voicing what we all felt. “He’s not even trying to hide his intentions.”

“Of course not,” I said, crossing my arms. “The weaker the North appears, the easier it will be for him and Nikolay to make their move. He wants us distracted, depleted, vulnerable. He’s counting on us to underestimate him.”

The room fell quiet as my words sank in, but my anger continued to simmer. This wasn’t just about politics or power. It was personal. My father had never known his bastard son, and yet that boy was now being used as a weapon against everything my father had built. The South-my home, my inheritance-was being threatened by a traitor and a puppet.

The legacy my father had left was one of peace, a balance hard-fought and maintained across all the regions. I couldn’t let that be destroyed. I wouldn’t. Not by David, not by Nikolay, and not by any army they sent our way. They would learn that the South, and the North for that matter, would not crumble so easily. This was my fight, my responsibility, and I would see it through to the end.

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Scarlett