The Alpha King is unavailable novel Chapter 40

“Olivia, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. “I was just so worried about Emma that I spoke without thinking. I didn’t mean it.”

Though her words were directed at me, her performance was clearly for Ethan’s benefit. I watched his

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expression soften slightly, accepting her flimsy explanation without question.

He glanced at me, his eyes sending a clear message: Drop it. Let it go. Don’t make a scene.

A cold fury swept through me. After everything that had happened – the false accusations, the humiliation in the Stone Ancestral Hall, the physical punishment – Victoria thought a simple “sorry” would erase it all?

Lignored Ethan’s warning look and stepped forward. Victoria’s eyes widened as I approached, uncertainty flickering across her perfect features.

The sound of my palm connecting with her cheek was sharp and satisfying. Before she could recover, I struck her again on the other side.

“Victoria, I’m so sorry,” I said, perfectly mimicking her insincere tone. “I didn’t mean it.”

“Olivia V

Winters!” Ethan roared, grabbing my wrist before I could strike again.

His grip was tight, almost painful, but I didn’t flinch, I met his gaze steadily, challenging him to defend her

again.

Victoria, perhaps emboldened by Ethan’s intervention, forgot herself completely. Her mask of contrition vanished, replaced by raw fury.

“Olivia Winters, you dare hit me!” she shrieked, raising her hand to retaliate.

Before her palm could connect with my face, a cane struck her arm with surprising force. Victoria recoiled with a cry of pain, clutching her forearm.

“You dare touch Olivia!” Matriarch Evelyn bellowed, her small frame

on with an

Victoria’s eyes widened in shock “Grandmother, Olivia hit me first!” she protested, gesturing to her reddened

cheeks.

“Even so, you wronged her first,” Matriarch Evelyn stated firmly. “Olivia is not one to cause trouble.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, unexpected and unwelcome. After years of standing alone against Victoria’s manipulations, someone was finally taking my side without question.

“And don’t call me Grandmother,” Matriarch Evelyn added, her voice sharp as a blade. “Who are you to call me

Grandmother?”

Victoria flinched as if physically struck again. Her carefully constructed place in the Stone family was crumbling before her eyes.

“But I’ve always called you-” she began.

“That was my mistake,” Matriarch Evelyn cut her off. “1 allowed too much familiarity from someone who

hasn’t earned it.”

Victoria’s eyes filled with genuine tears now. The distinction was clear and cutting.