around her, but Arabe

d distant-like sh

es shouted. Her name

stuck on the thought of bringing shame to

her sides, cold despit

art thudded unevenly, like it couldn't

red, "How have I ev

It came from the company shares Victor had used to forc

lla had loved him first, but he'd ch

on humiliating Arabella

eam. She wanted to run

e. Couldn't speak. C

haos like a sword, bringing momentary silence t

Catherine, whispering

gently rubbing his clenched fist. "Don't w

apologise for the disruption," she began,

inking hands with Adrian, who looked like he was barely recovering from

Arabella, who was still trembling with fear. "Adrian and I

tain that Arabella doubt

So why is Ms. Arabella c

was already looking down at her,

exchanging a slight nod, befor

nnounce Arabella Sterling has been

ella's face as she clen

, and their gazes wer

's face vanished the moment

ifted in a mocking curl, as if

e crowd-some critical, ot

iately followed

his t

can you say a w

at Adrian, her ey

he would say somet

open his mouth, a fe

a is r

ard Arabella, drawing

destroyed our family forever, Arabella has

she added, "Anything to steal the i

ensified, as di

he accusations that followed were wild,

, what do you

id it

sitioning herself just beh

trying so hard to seduce her own 'brother'

on her lips unmistakable as she glance

she immediately understood

rag him into this..." he

eas fell o

n who his rea

as attention turned ba

houted over

how long have

can you tell us

educing yo

endless, but no o

se, shielding his face f

The only thing stopping her from bre

about to collapse, Axel w

er lips trembling as she tried to

d. This was nothing a five-year-old should have to end

, though the smile on her fa

gers disappearing as if he wanted to hide them, befo

not my mom," he said quickl

ike her chest; sharp, preci

d the room faded

body went still the way it did when something insid

t home, but to denounce her in public? She

have n

after the

murmurs accusatory-and she s

her, her legs too weak

e her balance, Adrian's vo

oug

t sto

fell into silence as Adrian pushed through

hope sparke

. Tell everyone she wasn't cra

ria

ifting Axel into his arm

s shoulder, "...Arabella outside of this room." His voice was sharp and com

forward to address the crowd, though his eyes lingered on A

abella, leaning in close, his

ere it ends

but it sent a chi

ortant people in her life walk

loor

she was

y hitting marble ech

e. For one brief moment

anced

eyes

d his grip on Ax

floor surrounded by strangers

er going t