y through the grand halls of the An estate. Every painting, every antique, every polis

ho once sneered at her youthful clumsiness, now bowed low and opened the door with

dark oak desk, fingers steepl

," he said, voic

ke a predator's warning. "I'm sure the news has

amatic. I would've preferred a quiet ho

"A stir is better t

to the chair across from

stand," she r

mouth twitched.

s. "Still pretendi

d, just slightly

ent, you sold me like a possession." Her voice remained cold,

ch. "I did what I had

for control. For appearances. You let your precious 'rea

rowed. "You'

rous than any scream. "You sent a child into the arms of a monst

again, heavy

So what now, Nyx? What ar

redemption. I'm here to watch you squirm while I ris

plan to destroy everything, rem

oor. "I've already live

that, s

door, Xia emerged and hand

for tomorrow: Imperial High, 8:

lips c

e games

-

rolled through the prestigious gates of Imperial High, she remained unmoved by the lavish display of wealth around h

the courtyard. Every student turned to look,

is

oks fam

y's adopted daughter, right

ey say she

, her long hair tied in a loose, elegant braid, and her face half-obscured by an ornate gol

esk is in Class A. Front row. They made sure of that after your name

inks he's still in c

a marble column-Liya, surrounded by sycophants as always. She wo

prise and something darker. "You're actually

nflinching. "Didn't you hear, dear

half a second. "You're n

he one who

air between them thickened, ch

d to the mask. "Stil

o be innocent?" Nyx

pond, a deep, amused

a re

oward the vo

ies and souls alike. Clad in the Imperial uniform like it was

ec

onglomerate. Unmatched in po

essary. "So the masked queen returns. Le

. "Watch closely. I

linted dangerousl

l ru