The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 49

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1:21 pm

The Betrayed Princess Rising

Chapter 49

3rd Person’s POV

Finished

Inside the Modern Healing Research Laboratory, tension hung thick in the air. The door slammed open, rattling glassware and data tablets across the steel tables. Alexander stormed in, kicking a chair aside as he passed, the metal screeching against the floor.

“Alex, control yourself,” one of his colleagues said carefully, voice low. “You’re losing it.”

“No.” Alexander’s eyes burned gold at the edges, his temper clawing its way toward the surface. “This is the first time a mere assistant has dared to speak to me with such insolence. I will not accept it.”

In this department, nearly everyone deferred to him. His bloodline, his reputation, his mastery of modern healing–those things commanded respect. That incident wasn’t just an offense. It was a challenge. And Alexander never forgot a challenge.

“Who is that new assistant?” he snarled. “I want a full background check. She won’t walk away from this unscathed.”

He grabbed a remote display from the table and hurled it toward the wall with a growl of rage.

Only for it to stop midair.

A hand closed around it with flawless precision.

“Someone’s nerves have been tested today.“The calm voice sliced through the chaos.

Alexander froze.

He turned slowly, dread crawling up his spine. “T–Thane?”

Thane stepped inside in an immaculate white lab coat, setting the remote back onto the table as though Alexander hadn’t just attempted to destroy it.

When Alexander was the Alpha of Blackridge’s nephew, Thane was the Alpha’s son. The heir. Alex’s cousin.

And unlike Alexander, Thane didn’t need to raise his voice to assert dominance.

Professor Corvin had marked Thane as his student years ago, choosing him straight out of college and honing him with relentless precision through pre–doctorate. Thane’s brilliance was undeniable. The Vale itself bore witness, no publication in recent years existed without his name etched into it.

“A random junior assistant from that pathetic Traditional class dared to interfere with me,” Alexander said stiffly, recounting the incident. His anger sharpened with every word.

Something flickered beneath Thane’s cool gaze as he listened. His woll stirred in strange interest.

It wasn’t often someone dared to stand their ground against Alex.

“How absurd for her to think she holds any importance. She’s such a fool.” Alexander finished bitterly.

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1:21 pm

Chapter 49

Finished

Silence fell.

Then, unexpectedly, Thane laughed.

And it sent a ripple of unease through the room.

“She’s right,” Thane said simply.

“You’re defending her?” Alexander stared in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

“Of course.” Thane’s tone remained even. “That assistant has no obligation to cater to our junior.”

Alexander clenched his jaw. “Our junior arrived two days early without warning and I promised her everything would be prepared. Now I’ve failed. I’ll look incompetent in front of her.”

“You invited her here?” Thane asked, eyes narrowing. “Today?”

“Yes.”

Thane’s jaw tightened. “With multiple active projects underway, you intended to bring in someone inexperienced?”

He met Alexander’s gaze fully now. “It seems the fool here isn’t the assistant, it’s you, cousin.”

Alexander’s blood ran cold.

No one spoke. Even other researchers knew better than to challenge him.

He moved to his locker, removed his lab coat, and headed for the exit.

“This was my mistake,” Alexander said quickly. “But surely you’ll stay to welcome our junior? She’s Lady Cor-”

“Handle it,” Thane cut in without looking back. “I have something far more important to do.”

The door closed behind him.

Alexander’s thoughts burned with resentment as Lylah’s face surfaced again and again in his mind.

Across the building, sunlight poured into the Traditional Healing lecture hall as the doors burst open. Students flooded out, laughter and excitement spilling into the corridor.

Today’s lecture had been electric.

Two figures emerged last, smiles bright and unguarded.

“Lylah, you were incredible!” Iris exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. “You handled your first lecture perfectly.”

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