Chapter 44

Chapter 44

"The person I like is right in this room, but it's not you," Preston said coolly, his voice devoid of any warmth.

Amber's face drained of color. Her knees nearly buckled as she staggered back a few steps, eyes wide with disbelief.

A hush fell over the room, and then, almost instantly, a spark of hope ignited in the eyes of several girls.

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Psychology was a powerful thing. Many swore that Preston had looked at them more than once tonight. Some were even convinced that he'd fallen for them at first sight.

"So... the one you like is...?" Evelyn hesitated, trying to prod for an answer.

Before she could finish, Preston's lips curled into a smirk. "Let's talk about it when we get back."

With that, his expression darkened as he shifted his gaze toward Adam, who was still sprawled on the floor.

"I just heard," Preston said, his voice edged with steel, "that you accused a distinguished guest of being a thief-without any evidence."

Adam shuddered. He opened his mouth, but before he could stammer out a

defense, Preston turned to the bodyguards behind him.

"Take him down and punish him according to family rules."

"Young Master, Madam, please spare me!" Adam cried, scrambling to his knees. "I

have served the Fuller family loyally for years! Even if I haven't made great contributions, I have still-"

Evelyn hesitated, but ultimately didn't speak up on Adam's behalf.

She sighed helplessly.

Preston had grown beyond her control, and she knew it.

If she had any sway over him, she wouldn't have resorted to such underhanded

tactics to force his hand with Amber tonight.

But Preston had made it clear-he wasn't playing along.

As the guards dragged Adam away, the murmurs in the room turned into something else. Suspicion. Curiosity.

Had Preston been serious just now? Or had he only said he liked someone to avoid Amber?

The timing was hard to ignore. He had barely finished his declaration when he immediately defended Raven. Whispers spread like wildfire.

Even Amber found herself glancing toward Raven, though the moment she took in the sight of the ordinary-looking girl, she scoffed inwardly.

5

Impossible! Thought Amber. Unless Preston had gone blind, there was no way he'd fall for someone like Raven-a girl fresh out of prison, with nothing to her

name.

But just as she convinced herself of this, she caught sight of Preston again.

moment, her face suddenly

he looked at Raven-an unmistakable flicker of tenderness in

was a hint of extreme tenderness and

It couldn't be true! She knew Preston was the true hegemon of Bastion. How could Raven have

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Chapter 44

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best of the younger generation and even a top student at Regalhold University, possibly fall in love with Raven, a nobody

nothing to her name?

Amber

fists. She

the room could escalate any

the strange atmosphere like a

+5

he announced with a genial smile. "The winner will receive

the brewing drama, turned their

with the sole hope of securing a

in the venue were filled with

do so quickly. Preston will draw a random number, and the corresponding

the placement,"

movement followed as people rushed to find their

Hailey, still dazed from the night's events,

whispered a silent prayer. If not for herself, let

seated, a servant

and pulled out a slip of paper. His brow lifted slightly as he read the seat number, and then, almost instinctively, his gaze

toward Raven.

between him and Raven? He thought to

everyone's expectant gazes, Preston showed the card to

for all to see, he

all

silence fell

voice broke through. "How is that possible? How could she get the placement at Regalhold

in her seat before springing to

her extreme excitement, her voice

got in! We

but before she could say more, another

in, sharp and venomous.

a place at Regafhold Common School. I

with murmurs

junior high. And she was in prison!

Fuller, pick

grew

expression darkened, his patience wearing

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Chapter 44

he was about

the spot,” she said evenly. "Can I give it to someone

caught off guard. His heart did an odd little

the way she

momentarily lost in

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