The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 292

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 292: Judy Returns**

In the heart of the villa, Irene found herself rummaging through the kitchen, her hands absentmindedly reaching for a snack. The familiar scent of freshly baked cookies filled the air, but her appetite waned as she caught an unexpected sound wafting from the parlor—laughter, light and carefree.

Frowning, she paused, her heart pounding slightly at the sudden break in the week-long silence that had settled over the household. Ever since Matt’s hospitalization, a heavy stillness had blanketed their lives, and even his return hadn’t managed to shake the somber atmosphere. She and Ethan had been spending more time at the villa, trying to fill the void left by the chaos of the past days.

As she approached the parlor door, a voice she thought she’d never hear again pierced through the laughter, causing her blood to run cold.

No… it can’t be.

With a hesitant push, Irene opened the door, and her breath caught in her throat. There, on the plush couch, sat Judy, her presence as unwelcome as a storm cloud on a sunny day. Beside her was Matt, his face alight with amusement as they studied together, sharing a moment that felt all too intimate. Their laughter echoed in the room, and her father, Gavin, sat nearby, a broad smile plastered across his face as he watched them interact.

Irene’s stomach twisted into knots, a surge of anger boiling within her. How could they be so comfortable? Her heart raced as she stood frozen at the threshold, an unwilling witness to the scene unfolding before her.

No one seemed to notice her presence, and in that moment, she was paralyzed, unsure of how to confront the situation. Judy was not supposed to be back at the villa; she had made sure of it. The blame for Matt’s allergic reaction had been squarely placed on Judy’s shoulders, and now, here she was, defying all of Irene’s expectations.

Her fists clenched at her sides, and she glared at Judy with unyielding intensity.

It was Judy who eventually sensed the weight of Irene’s stare, looking up to meet her furious gaze. The smile that had graced her lips faltered, replaced by a look of concern.

“Oh, hey, Irene,” Judy said, her voice tinged with skepticism as she assessed the fury radiating from Irene’s face.

The tension in the room thickened, drawing the attention of both Matt and Gavin. Gavin’s brow furrowed as he caught sight of his daughter’s expression.

“Irene,” he greeted, his voice low and cautious. “Everything okay?”

“Daddy, can I talk to you for a minute?” she bit out through clenched teeth, striding across the parlor and pushing through the other door, leading into the hallway. Gavin followed her, albeit reluctantly, closing the door behind him.

As they stood in the dimly lit hallway, Gavin crossed his arms, watching Irene pace like a caged animal, her eyes glued to the floor as she fought to keep her emotions in check.

“What’s this about?” he finally asked, breaking the silence that felt like an eternity.

“How could you let that monster back into our home after everything she’s done?” Irene demanded, halting her frantic pacing to fix her father with a piercing glare.

“Irene—”

“She almost killed Matthew! Does that mean nothing to you?” she continued, her voice rising as she cut him off, the frustration spilling over.

“Irene, listen—”

“No, Dad. YOU listen! She was reckless with Matt’s life, and it landed him in the hospital. She cannot be trusted. She needs to go! I never want to see her here again!” Irene’s voice was nearly a shout, echoing in the hallway.

Gavin sighed deeply, running his fingers through his hair as he took in the sight of his daughter, her eyes blazing with indignation.

“I know you’re upset, but will you just hear me out?” he implored, his tone calm yet firm.

Finally, Irene looked up, and he caught the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. This was about more than just Judy; he could sense it. But he also understood that she needed to come to him on her own terms.

“How could you let her back in here, Dad?” she asked again, her arms folded tightly across her chest, a barrier against the hurt she felt.

“Judy didn’t do anything wrong,” he replied, his gaze steady as it met hers.

Irene’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she took a step back, her complexion paling. Gavin noted the strangeness of her reaction but pushed the thought aside.

“W… what do you mean?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I mean, she didn’t do anything wrong,” he reiterated. “One of the maids confessed to the crime. She was seeking compensation for helping me save his life. I banned her from the pack and turned her into a rogue.”

Irene’s jaw dropped as she processed his words, her mind racing.

“A… a maid confessed?” she echoed, her voice now small and trembling.

Confusion swirled in her mind. How could a maid confess to something she knew was not her doing? Irene was the one who had put peanut butter in the sandwich, knowing full well that the kitchen cameras were broken, leaving no evidence to implicate anyone. Yet somehow, the maid had taken the fall.

Was it possible the maid knew it was Irene and had chosen to protect her? Or was there a darker motive at play, perhaps a desire to shield Judy?

A surge of jealousy twisted in Irene’s gut. Why would anyone go to such lengths for Judy? Was she truly that much better than Irene? Or had Judy somehow coerced the maid into taking the blame, all to reclaim her position and pursue Ethan?

Fury bubbled beneath the surface, but Irene fought to keep her composure in front of her father.

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