The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 152

I knew I was supposed to care about the situation, being Bianca’s betrothed and all; it was an act of disrespect toward Bianca if Liora was truly sleeping with the King. One of the worst kinds of disrespect, in fact.

And yet, that wasn’t why I was upset.

I didn’t want to think about the real reason. But it was always there, swirling in the back of my mind. Always coming to the forefront whenever I passed by her in the hallway or caught her lonesome gaze from across the room.

Still, despite those unwanted feelings, there was another thought that kept whirling around my head, too.

I didn’t think that Liora was actually sleeping with the King.

But until I had proof that it was a lie, I couldn’t say anything. Not without royally pissing off my fiancee.

When I stepped into the house, I heard voices in the drawing room; three voices, in fact. My father, mother, and…

“Trust me, I’m trying,” I heard the third voice say. “But it’s easier said than done, especially with the King seemingly protecting her.”

I dropped my bag by the door and froze in the entryway to the drawing room. My parents looked up first. Mr. Alder turned last.

“Ah! Callum. Just in time,” my mother said. “We were waiting for you to arrive so we could have family dinner.”

“Family dinner,” I echoed, emphasizing the word that definitely had nothing to do with the principal. I narrowed my eyes at him; I was still pissed that he had lied like that at the ceremony.

But if he noticed my glare, he didn’t indicate it. He smiled. “Your parents were kind enough to invite me tonight, Callum,” he said. “It’s an honor to be welcomed in your lovely home.”

I grunted in reply and followed them to the dining room, taking my usual seat. My father took one head of the table, my mother the other, and Mr. Alder sat across from me. I tried not to look at him; just focused on cutting my meat and getting through the mandatory meal.

“Well,” my father said, breaking the silence, “after that recent scandal, I’m sure the King won’t protect her for long. After all, he can’t risk his reputation taking a hit.”

I glanced up through my brows. “Are you talking about Liora?” I asked.

My jaw tightened. I knew my parents were too far gone in their beliefs to change their minds, but Mr. Alder… He had been the principal of our school for years. He had to understand that one of his own students was being framed. He had to.

But his expression remained the same: calm. Composed. And underneath it was a thread of… glee. As if the thought of expelling Liora filled him with barely contained joy.

I couldn’t stand to be here anymore. Coming home was a mistake, just as it always was.

“You’re all complicit,” I muttered, gathering my plate. “Liora is innocent, and you’re just making things worse for her.”

I didn’t wait for them to answer, not that it seemed they would bother. No one stopped me, no one called out as I took my plate and stormed out of the room.

I supposed I would be eating in the library that night.

Again.