The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In

Chapter 741 Ashen Pact in Turmoil

The study was wrecked in seconds, a storm of broken wood and shattered glass.

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Artemis and Manny stood frozen, while Dale’s fury shook the room. Dan had just called–flatly denying he had taken Tessa. “Not me,” he’d said. “Find her yourselves.”

But whether it was him or not, they all knew the same truth: someone in the Ashen Pact had to produce her.

Dale’s chest heaved, every organ aching with rage.

“Father,” Manny growled, “it must be Dan. He hates us. Who else would have taken her?”

To him, the answer was obvious. Dan had both the motive and the malice. All the external forces swarming them now–surely Dan had opened the door to them.

Artemis, her brows knotted, turned to Dale. “Whoever it is, she must be handed over immediately.”

Two–thirds of Cyren Mines were already gone. Caesarville and Loren Lake were aflame with chaos. If they didn’t yield soon, everything would collapse.

“I know she must be handed over!” Dale roared, hurling his cup to the floor. Shards flew, slicing open Artemis’s calf.

She hissed in pain. Once, Dale would have noticed instantly, soothed her, fussed over her.

Not today.

Consumed by rage, he didn’t even see her injury.

is she?!” His eyes burned

he—was he shouting at her for

to be that.

eyes shining with unshed tears. Back then, she had known: Diana was the real threat. That bitch should have died years

her tears brim, silent and wounded, the way she always had when

it always worked. He would relent, gather her into his arms,

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Ashen Pact

time–she

no ordinary squabble. The very survival of the Ashen Pact was on the

voice like a

she’s

is she?!”

down Artemis’s cheeks. “She truly isn’t with us. Why

“It has to be Dan.

Dovemont is about to

cut through the

Manny faltered. Artemis stiffened.

What did that mean?

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to seize it from Dale. And now he was

and over she wanted it for Manny. Dale had always denied her, though he had given her everything else. In

was slipping through