The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 158

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 158: Dead-end Questions**

Samantha found herself utterly speechless, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over her like an unrelenting tide. Her heart raced so violently that she could almost hear the rhythmic thud echoing in her ears, drowning out all rational thought. There was no denying the guilt etched across her features, a heavy weight compounded by the piercing gaze of the imposing Alpha looming above her.

“Samantha?” Liam’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and accusatory. “What the hell is he talking about?”

The atmosphere thickened, suffocating her with an overwhelming sense of dread. It felt as though the very air had turned to lead, making coherent thought an elusive luxury.

In a moment of desperation, she recalled the carefully woven narrative she and her mother had constructed, a flimsy shield against the fallout of their actions against Evelyn.

“When in doubt, just deny everything,” Isabella had instructed her, her tone grave. “Remember, deny. Deny. Deny.”

Yet now, as she stood before the storm of accusations, Samantha struggled to piece together her thoughts. Her mind was still reeling from the shocking revelation that Alexander was not confined to a wheelchair, nor had he ever been. His face was unmarred, a portrait of perfection that shattered the illusions she had clung to.

A surge of anger and jealousy twisted in her gut. Had she known the truth, she would have fought tooth and nail against the marriage contract being transferred to Evelyn.

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered, her voice stiff and unconvincing.

Alexander’s eyes blazed with a dangerous intensity, a smirk playing on his lips that sent shivers down her spine.

“Are you certain this is the tale you wish to cling to?” he asked, his voice dripping with mockery. “From what I’ve gathered, your role in Evelyn’s torment was significantly less than the others. If you had any sense, you’d consider being the better person. It might just earn you a lighter sentence.”

Samantha felt her heart drop as her complexion drained of color.

Liam, unable to contain his frustration, stood up abruptly, his gaze fixed on Samantha with a mix of disbelief and anger.

“Torture?! What the hell is he talking about? You need to tell me right now!” he shouted, his voice reverberating through the room.

Samantha crossed her arms defensively, turning her head away in a futile attempt to shield herself from the confrontation. “I told you, I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Are you really going to deny that you were at the Silverwood Estate the day Evelyn went to speak with Isabella?”

Samantha shrugged, feigning indifference. “I wasn’t even at the house that day.”

“Yes, you were,” Liam shot back, his tone unyielding.

They all turned their attention to Alexander, who exchanged a knowing glance with Liam, encouraging him to press on. Meanwhile, Samantha’s irritation bubbled to the surface, her eye twitching with indignation.

Liam narrowed his gaze, relentless. “You told me you were going to the Silverwood Estate to discuss something with your mother. Plus, you’ve been spending more time there than anywhere else these past few weeks.”

Samantha lifted her chin defiantly. “I wasn’t there.”

“Then where else would you be, Samantha? You don’t exactly have a hefty allowance to go gallivanting around, and you certainly don’t have a legion of friends clamoring for your attention,” he retorted, frustration seeping into his voice.

A sly grin crept onto her lips, a flicker of defiance igniting within her. “Even if I was at the house, there’s no proof I was involved in what happened to Evelyn,” she shot back, her tone laced with bravado.

“Maybe not. But you just admitted that you knew something happened to her,” Alexander hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

Samantha’s eyes widened in shock. Damn it.

“Was it you who struck Evelyn over the head, or was it your mother?” he pressed, his gaze unyielding.

“Why, Samantha. You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” I slithered, stepping closer, the air thick with tension. “I can assure you, I’m much worse.”

No one dared to intervene; instead, both Liam and Alexander slowly retreated, granting me the space I needed. I circled Samantha like a predator, my intentions clear.

“You’re going to tell us where Isabella and Fiona are,” I commanded, my voice cold and unwavering.

Samantha remained silent, her defiance palpable, but Liam broke the silence.

“Why does everyone think Isabella is in hiding?”

I shot him a questioning glare. “You sound as if you’ve seen her recently. Have you?”

Liam glanced at Samantha, who looked ready to unleash her fury if he dared to speak further.

They know something.

My gaze flickered back to my stepsister. “Tell me where your fucking mother is.”

“Or what?” she shot back, her voice tight with defiance. “What are you going to do? Huh? You think you’re some big bad bitch now that you’re hiding behind a mask?”

I let out a hollow laugh, one that ended in a jarring smile.

“Ready to find out?”