From Shadows, A Queen Reclaims Her Reign

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face a mask of furious concern, flanked by two of my personal security detail, men much larger and more formidable th

e saw the bruises already blooming on my face and arms, the blood t

face hardened, understanding dawning in his eyes. He stopped dead, his gaze flicki

silver payment terminal. His eyes never left mine, a silen

p, my body protesting every movement. I swayed slightly, but forced myself to stand, ignoring the pain. I

action went through instantly. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it? Now, you understand your place. Don't ever show your face here again, or anywhere

diately by my side, his arm slipping around my waist, providing much-needed support.

le. The words were for the immediate rescue, but beneat

tell me who did this to you. And we'll repay them tenfold." His arm t

oned me. Threw me to his hyenas. Let his fiancée beat me and accuse me of being a grifter." My voice was flat, devoid of emotio

voice was incredulous, laced wi

ex, a stalker trying to extort money from him." The words tasted like ash. "This isn't just ab

despite the lingering tremor. My contacts list flashed on the screen

you to make sure Edward and Kesha don't leave this building. Not yet.

fficiency. He was fiercely loyal, a man who understood power and how to wield it. I had trusted him impli

before his crisp, professional

oole immediately. Assault, battery, defamation, extortion. I have physical evidence and witnesses. Coordinate with Brennan for details. I also ne

y voice, knew the gravity of such a command. But I heard a subtle shift in his tone

d send a team to this location immediately. I want Kesha Poole arrested before she can

e done." His voice was now pure

ut a strange sense of calm settled over

ice station. I need to file a full report and get a medical e

ion, the sheer audacity of Edward's betrayal-it all coalesced into a cold, hard resolve. I had spent years building Edward's gilded cage, showering him with wealth

s. The pain was real, but it was nothing compared to the ache

barely a whisper, yet infused with a chilling certainty.

h a mixture of shock and dawning recognition. My face was plastered with public humiliati

d out where Edward King is right now," I instructed

try club memberships, the luxury cars, the 'savvy investments' he boasted about, all quietly funded

uld hear was Kesha's cackling laughter and Edward's sickening silence. I pictured the opulent penth

ard King's penthouse. Current location

g beaten in the backroom of a gallery she owned, by his fiancée, for

ommanded, my voice f

t was an incoming call from Marcus

being detained. Edward King is also present there, apparently having just arrived from t

le spread across my

ke ice. "Tell him I'm on my

dward's panicked, angry voice in the background. Kes

ould not enter the penthouse. Not yet. I had a different plan. I stopped the

r floors. Edward's penthouse party was still in full swing. Laughter, music, the clinking of glasses. The

a protective perimeter around me. We moved silently, entering the building through a discreet service entrance. Up the elevato

nd fury. I had given him everythin

nds of music and conversation bled through the thick wood. Then, I heard a woman's

rt money from us, right here in our gallery!" Kesha's voice was high-pitched, laced with fals

echoed through the door. "It's all over now. That ghastly woma

. "She made up all these terrible lies! What if t

th me. No one will believe a common grifter over us. I'll make sure of it." He paused, then his voice hardened. "And as for

hosen her. He had outright lied, defended her, and threatened me. My

eranged, Edward. She said... she said she was your daughter! Can you imagine? As if

nothing more. Trying to spin a pathetic story to get a handout. Don't worry your pretty little head about it, my dear.

ges of affection, of familial duty, shattered into a million pie

en the door, my bruised face a mask of cold fury. Every eye in the lavish penthouse turned, fro