Chapter 980:
Rather than responding immediately, Elena glanced around, scanning the area with a searching gaze. Only when Ellis came into view and neared the gate did she reply, “Alright. Let’s go.”
All six of them stepped away from the base together, moving as one. Keeping pace with Elena, Ellis walked silently, his gaze fixed forward as if Charlette didn’t exist.
Charlette, on the other hand, stared at him with a smile that refused to fade.
Vendors lined the sidewalks in tight rows, their overlapping voices and bright displays turning the streets into a whirlwind of sound and color.
Navigating through the chaos, Wesley shifted closer and subtly positioned himself between Elena and the crowd.
Elena didn’t say anything, but the way she stayed close made it clear she was accustomed to his quiet protection.
Kason noticed the ease between them. His eyes dipped slightly before he turned his head away, his emotions carefully hidden beneath a neutral facade.
The noise in the square was suddenly shattered by a piercing scream. “Thief!”
Heads snapped toward the source of the voice as the crowd hushed in collective alarm.
Lucinda turned ghost-white and began frantically slapping at her pockets. “My ring—my heirloom ring! It’s gone! Who took it?”
Standing beside her, Nola frowned. “Check again.”
Dragging Lucinda along hadn’t been part of Nola’s plan for the day, but Lucinda had begged until Nola gave in. Now, hearing Lucinda’s hysterics over a missing ring, Nola didn’t even flinch—she had no interest in helping.
Lucinda’s voice cracked as panic set in. “That ring cost my father five hundred thousand! It’s priceless! No one leaves until I get it back. I’m calling the cops!”
The crowd jostled and murmured, but they kept moving, ignoring her like she was just another street performer causing a scene.
Breathing quickly and shallowly, Lucinda spun around like a cornered animal—until her eyes landed squarely on Elena.
“You took it, didn’t you? You stole my ring!” Lucinda snapped, the accusation tumbling out before she could think.
She looked frantic, and the people around them slowly backed away, creating a quiet ring of distance.
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲: ⲅ𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗼𝗺
With wild eyes and trembling fingers, Lucinda pointed at Elena. “I’m warning you—hand over the ring, or I swear you’ll regret it!”
Unbothered, Elena stared Lucinda down, her voice cold and cutting. “And what exactly are you planning to do if I don’t?”
Lucinda’s jaw tightened as fury surged through her. “I knew it was you! You just admitted it! You stole my ring!” Her gaze darted to the side, locking onto Kason. Desperation laced her voice as she called out, “Major General Garrett, you heard that? Elena stole my ring! You’ve got to do something!”
Kason’s reputation was well-known—he didn’t tolerate misconduct, no matter who it came from. Lucinda clung to that hope like a lifeline. She pointed sharply at Elena. “It’s worth half a million! Search her! She’s hiding it, I know she is!”
With a lazy stretch and a sarcastic tone, Charlette spoke up. “Ah, so that’s what all the screaming was about. Makes sense now—classic Lucinda drama. And tell me, which of your eyes saw Elena steal that ring? Or are we just accusing people for sport today?”
Rather than look away, Lucinda kept her gaze locked on Elena. “If she didn’t take it, then who did?”
Charlette let out a laugh, her mockery clear. “Please. A half-million-dollar ring? Elena wouldn’t touch that tacky thing, even if you begged her to take it off your hands.”
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Message from Noa: Hope you have a lovely day dear readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)
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