The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Lylah’s POV

I wasn’t surprised to find the ward empty. Professor Vale and the others had clearly already left.

Suppressing a sigh, I turned and headed for the most obvious place they would go next–the laboratory.

And sure enough, they were there.

Alexander leaned lazily against the doorway, speaking with Cora and Thane Blackridge. The moment I approached, his gaze snapped toward me.

His lips twitched.

Predatory.

But I barely managed a single step forward before whispers reached my ears.

“Why did she come back after running away? Does she really have no shame?”

“Seriously. Did her brain suddenly start working again so she thinks she can keep up with the project?”

I frowned, confusion settling in my chest.

Running away?

Before I could speak, Professor Vale stepped forward.

His cold eyes locked onto me.

“I’ve seen many foolish students, but your shamelessness might be the most impressive of them all.” He said, eyes narrowing.

My brows drew together.

“I haven’t done anything that would make me ashamed of myself,” I replied calmly.

His eyes flashed with irritation.

“You should be grateful that I chose to remain honorable and keep my mouth shut after your irresponsible decision to abandon this project,” he said icily. “Imagine if I decided to expose it. You wouldn’t have the face to show yourself anywhere in Lunaris again.”

Abandon?

The word struck me like a stone.

“I wouldn’t leave something I earned with my own effort, Professor Vale,” I said firmly.

“Oh?” He tilted his head mockingly. “So you’re not planning to run?”

“No.”

A slow, unpleasant smile spread across his face.

“Such confidence,” he murmured. “Very well. If you insist on staying…” His voice hardened. “Then let me be the one who expels you.”

My eyes widened.

“What?”

“You couldn’t even handle a sick old wolf,” Vale snapped. “You panicked. You screamed. And yet you think you deserve to stand among my students?”

His gaze sharpened like claws. “You’re a disgrace to this program!”

For a moment, I couldn’t even process what he was saying.

Then my eyes drifted toward Alexander.

He stood by the door, watching the scene unfold with a faint, satisfied smile.

My fists clenched at my

“Impressive,” a deep voice said from behind me. “Truly impressive. Intimidating my student. Accusing her of incompetence. And then expelling her.”

The voice grew colder.

“Every time I think you’ve reached the lowest point possible, Vale, you somehow manage to sink even lower.”

My heart skipped.

I turned immediately.

And there he was.

Professor Clark Grimwood.

My jaw dropped.

“Professor…”

He had said he wouldn’t come.

He had told me he was leaving town–that he wouldn’t interfere for me anymore.

And yet…

Here he was. Standing in the laboratory doorway like a storm that had finally arrived.

Professor Vale’s face darkened.

“Why are you here?” he snapped. “You said you wouldn’t come. You were supposed to abandon your student. Instead, you’ve been spying on my project.”

“Abandon my student?” Professor Clark let out a low laugh. “Spying?” he repeated thoughtfully.

Then his gaze sharpened,

“Well… thanks to that spying, I now have enough evidence to ensure that you will be the one who no longer has a face to show in Lunaris.”