Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

Lucian’s POV

I moved towards Scarlett, scooping her into my arms despite the ache of doubt clawing at my mind. Whatever else was true or false, she was still my mate, and I would not let a stranger see me question her loyalty. I looked at Gregory with a hardness ! didn’t even recognise in myself.

“The deal is off, Merchant. It would be best for you to leave while you still have the chance,” I said, my voice barely more than a growl, thick with fury and shame. Scarlett’s sobs wracked her body as I held her, but I kept my face cold, my words clipped.

“I didn’t do anything,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I swear to you…”

I didn’t answer, biting down my own hurt as we stepped into the hallway. A small crowd had gathered, their eyes wide with curiosity and judgment. A deep growl escaped me, and I glared at them, the command clear: Mind your own business. Slowly, they dispersed, but the damage was done. The rumour would spread, and this would be all anyone spoke of for days, maybe weeks. I’d have to investigate now if only to silence the gossip and clear Scarlett’s name-or confirm my worst fears.

The shame and anger mixed into a bitter storm within me. How had they known to come to that room at the exact moment we were there? This had to be a

setup, but by whom? And why? Until we knew the truth, Scarlett and I would be separated by this cloud of suspicion. My trust, my faith in her, hung in the

balance, as fragile as glass.

Maxwell and Clay followed me into our apartment, both silent, their faces grave. For a long moment, we stood there, tension thickening the air. I set Scarlett down gently, unsure what to say or do. So much had happened, and I felt torn, my mind at war with itself, struggling to grasp a sense of truth amid the lies.

“This is bad, Lucian,” Maxwell said, his voice tight with fury. “Who alerted those people to come? The entire settlement will know soon, and according to the law, Scarlett will be stripped of her title, investigated, and tried in front of everyone.” The weight of his words crashed over me, and I felt a sickening

despair settle in.

We’d hoped to handle this quietly, to find the truth without public spectacle, but now it would be impossible. The rumours would spread like wildfire, and the law would demand a thorough, merciless investigation. My chest tightened as the realisation hit me fully-Scarlett would have to face seclusion.

The enormity of it all overwhelmed me, and I felt tears slip down my cheeks, my shoulders shaking as I let the grief consume me, if only for a moment. I’d have to put her in seclusion, away from everything and everyone. It felt like a betrayal, yet the law left us no choice.

With a heavy heart, I carried Scarlett into the bathroom, needing to rid her of the lingering scent of him. The faintest hint of Gregory’s scent clung to her, but mine was still stronger, reassuring me, if only slightly. If he had truly slept with her, his scent would have been overpowering, unmistakable. But what if this was all a ploy? Gregory could have staged this to provoke us, to create a reason for his Alpha, the leader of the West, to attack. The thought gnawed at

Γ me-what if we were walking right into a trap, a setup meant to destroy everything we’d built?

This exact situation had played out once before, long ago. My aunt had been accused in a similar way, though in her case, she had been guilty. My uncle had. to watch helplessly as she was isolated, tried, and ultimately executed when found guilty. The grief had consumed him, and he took his own life soon after. That memory haunted me now, the pain of it feeling sil too real. I wondered if this was one of the tragedies Elsa had warned us about, if we were about to lose everything, just as they had.

Scarlett’s quiet, desperate voice broke through my thoughts. “I didn’t do it, Lucian, please,” she whispered, her voice cracking as tears poured down her fat She looked utterly broken, her eyes red and swollen, her nose flushed.

This was the first time I’d seen her cry like this, her whole body shaking with the weight of her pain and boat. Holding back my own grief, iron the wate water over her, gently washing her, as if that could cleanse the pain and accusations she faced.

Without a word, Maxwell and Clay stopped into the room, coming to her side, each of them placing a steadying hand on her shoulder Together, we held hun

10:07 am PPPP

Chapter 84

bur glent presence meant to comfort her, though our own hearts were heavy with fear and doubt. Her uke echoed in the small space, her pe men, and i realised then how much this had hurt her, how deeply it had wounded her spirit.

The fear of what lay ahead clawed me. Shy would face public judgment, and the outcome leit terrifyingly uncertain. As 1 held her close, her body trembling against mine, I made a tent vow. No matter what came, I would protect her, even if it meak going against the laws that bound us all. But for now, we held her, hoping that our presence, our loyalty, would be enough to carry her through the storm we all feared was coming

Comments

Michele Gremillion

hereeves

4 Comment

this was a devious plot. I hope the boys believe her and somehow prove her innocence, sounds like she’s in for a very terrible experience.

7 days ago

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