TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 144

CHAPTER 4 SP THE PRETENCE

CHAPTER 96: SKIP THE PRETENSE–1

KNOX’S POV

He blinks, the picture of innocence. “I’m not sure I understand. I explained the purpose quite clearly at the beginning of the evening. Conflict resolution. Closure. An opportunity for all parties to-”

“Bullshit.”

The word is deadpan, and I see Logan’s head snap up, see Gale’s sobbing stutter into silence, see

Harrison’s mask flicker for just a moment before sliding back into place.

“I beg your pardon?”

I lean back in my chair, letting a slow grin spread across my face.

“This is supposedly a conflict resolution. Neutral territory. A chance for everyone to clear the air and move on with their lives.” I gesture around the room at the bloodstained tablecloth, the broken dishes, the general carnage of the evening. “But you didn’t bring us here for peace, Harrison. You brought a room full of enemies together and lit a match. You asked questions designed to inflict maximum damage. You picked at wounds and poured salt in them and watched us tear each other apart.”

Harrison’s expression doesn’t change, but something sharpens in his eyes.

“This gathering was never about reconciliation,” I

of

ontinue. “It was never about closure or healing or any that performative bullshit you fed us at the start. So let’s skip the pretense, shall we? Between you and me, right now, what did you actually want?”

The silence stretches between us, taut as a wire.

Then Harrison sets down his cutlery, dabs at his mouth with his napkin, and smiles.

“You really are the Lycan King,” he says, and there’s something almost like respect in his voice. “The stories don’t do you justice. I’d heard you were clever, but I didn’t expect this level of… perception.”

“I didn’t get where I am by being stupid.”

“No. I don’t imagine you did.” He picks up his wine glass, swirling the dark liquid thoughtfully. “Very well. Since you’ve asked so directly, I’ll answer in kind.”

He takes a sip, savoring it.

“I wanted to see what I was dealing with,” he says finally. “My faggot son has brought tremendous damage to this family. Our name is a laughingstock. Our alliances are crumbling. Our enemies smell blood in the water, and they’re circling.” His eyes cut to Gale, still slumped over the table, and the disgust on his face is ruthless. “I needed to understand the full scope of the situation. Who the players are. What they want. Where they’re vulnerable.”

“And you couldn’t do that without stabbing your son at the dinner table?”

< CHAPTER DE HIP THE PRETENCE T

“The stabbing was a bonus.” He says it without a trace of humor. “Gale needed to understand that his actions have consequences. That his weakness and perversion have cost this family more than he can ever repay.” His jaw tightens “He is a disgrace. A stain on everything the Crawford name represents. And I will not allow his fattures to drag us all down with him.”

I study the old man across from me, seeing him clearly for the first time. This isn’t just about family or

alliances or saving face. This is personal

Harrison Crawford hates his son with a depth that goes beyond disappointment, beyond disgust.

He hates him for existing. For being something Harrison can’t control or understand or fix.

“So what’s your play?” I ask. “You didn’t bring us all here just to vent your frustrations about Gale’s

sexuality.”

“No.” Harrison’s smile returns, cold and sharp. “I brought you here to assess the situation and determine the best path forward.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify