laced with disbelief. Juliet crossed her arms, a cruel smirk playing on her lips. "Of course, I'm sure. The news came weeks ago. Asher Blackmoor isn't coming back-ever." Julian rai

thing, reduced to nothing. I couldn't be happier." Juliet's voice was cold, almost indifferent. "Yes, he's dead. And good riddance. He was a useless fool, wasn't he? Couldn't even defend his own life, let alone his family. Juliet consumed in her blind rage, had no idea of the truth. She had believed the rumor of Asher's blindness. Asher had purposefully spread the false rumor of his blindness to mislead their enemies. The enemies, thinking their leader was weak and vulnerable, hesitated to strike with full force, believing they were facing a weakened battalion. But what they didn't know was that Asher was still the sharp, tactical mind that had led them to victory in every battle. Whenever they went for battle, he wore a mask to conceal his identity, allowing him to lead his soldiers undetected. The battles were won before the enemies even realized what hit them. Only one person had known the truth-the ruler of Drakmont, who had been in on the plan and had secretly supported Asher's ruse. Together, they had outsmarted both their enemies and their own people, turning Asher's supposed downfall into a strength, and ensuring the protection of Drakmont. Meanwhile, Asher had continued to send money to Juliet, believing she was still the woman he had married, the one who cared for his family as he did. Instead of using the money for the family, she began squandering it, indulging in luxuries while Asher's parents-who had once been treated with love and care-suffered in silence. They were not longer able to afford their medical bills, and their living conditions worsened as Juliet became more ruthless, more detached. And when the news of Asher's death seemed final, it emboldened her greed. And whenever Eleanor asked for anything, Juliet's answer was always the same. "Don't ask me for anything," she'd sneer, her voice dripping with venom. "Your son isn't here to send his pathetic little handouts. Maybe you should've made better choices, huh? It was then that she took the most drastic step. She