The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 302

“What is it?” my father asked, eyeing me suspiciously. “Shouldn’t you be with the princess?”

I held up the packet. “I found this in Bianca’s suitcase.”

My mother set down her teacup. “What is that?”

“Wolfsbane.” I looked at my father. “Liora was drugged with wolfsbane during her field exam. She suspected Bianca, but I told her she was wrong. Now, I’m not so sure.”

My father’s expression darkened. He crossed the room in three long strides and snatched the packet from my hand. Then, without a word, he walked over to the fireplace and threw the packet into the flames.

My mouth hung open. “Why did you do that?”

“Well, someone has to protect this family.” He turned to face me, his jaw clenched. “You will not mention this to anyone. Do you understand?”

“But—”

“Do you understand?” His voice was a low growl.

I looked at my mother. She was watching me with cold eyes, her hands folded in her lap. No help there.

“Fine,” I muttered.

“Good.” My father straightened his tie. “Now go make sure Bianca is comfortable. And for the love of all things holy, don’t mention that wolfless wretch ever again.”

I left the drawing room without another word.

Rather than checking on Bianca, I went straight to my room to take a hot shower. I needed to wash off the crawling feeling under my skin.

The hot water helped, but not much. I stood under the spray for a long time, trying to figure out what the hell I was supposed to do.

Bianca had wolfsbane. That much was clear. Whether she’d used it on Liora or not, I didn’t know for sure. But I supposed it didn’t matter. My parents were openly ignoring Bianca’s crimes for their own sake. The little evidence I had was gone.

“I specifically asked for her to be in the east wing.”

“And I decided otherwise.” Her smile didn’t waver. “She’s going to be your wife, Callum. You might as well get used to having her close.”

Before I could respond, Bianca’s bathroom door opened. She stepped out, wearing a red dress and heels. Her hair was curled, and she had clearly done her makeup.

“Princess!” My mother rushed forward, shoving me out of the way in the process. She pulled something out of her pocket: two slips of paper. “Here. I got these for you and Callum.”

Bianca took the papers, and her eyes widened. “Oh, thank you!” she exclaimed. She turned to me, holding them up, and I got a glimpse of them for the first time. “Look what your mother gave us! Two tickets to the carnival for tonight.”

My stomach sank. “The carnival?” I asked, looking at my mother.

My mother’s eyes were like two black beads in her sockets. “Yes,” she said coolly. “I thought it would be nice for you two to go out on a real date for once.”