The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

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.

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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

it. The way he looked at Raven-an unmistakable

eyes, there was a hint of extreme tenderness

She knew Preston was the true

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Chapter 44

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even a top student at Regalhold University, possibly fall in love with Raven,

nothing to her name?

Amber

into fists. She refused to

room could escalate

voice cutting through the strange atmosphere like

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I mentioned before, the Fuller family will be selecting a lucky guest tonight," he announced with a genial smile. "The

momentarily distracted from the

tonight's banquet with the sole hope of securing a

of many people in the venue were filled with a little

you haven't taken a seat yet, please do so quickly. Preston will draw a random number, and the corresponding guest will have the right to decide

the placement,"

as people rushed to

from

a silent prayer. If

servant stepped forward with

paper. His brow lifted slightly as he read the seat number, and then, almost

toward Raven.

him and Raven? He thought

expectant gazes, Preston showed

the card for all to see, he spoke clearly, "Row one,

hearing this, all

silence fell over the

sharp voice broke through. "How is that possible? How could she get

seat before

her extreme excitement,

you! You got in! We can go to

excitement was palpable, but before she could say more,

in, sharp and venomous.

get a place at

stirred with murmurs of

didn't even graduate junior high. And she was in prison! She's not qualified to attend Regalhold

pick

voices grew sharper, but

unmoved. His expression darkened,

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Chapter 44

he was about to speak, Raven

said evenly. "Can I

second, Preston was caught off

the way she looked

he muttered, momentarily