The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 318: Forced to Yield

Cindy's POV:

Every word I said cut like a knife. I made sure each one hit Margaret where it hurt most.

Her reputation was everything to her. She held her reputation as a princess in high regard.

If tonight's chaos grew any worse, it wouldn't matter whether the account book was real or fake. The moment word spread that her guards had attacked Queen Isabella, King Ryken would have enough reason to strip her of her privileges.

The guards exchanged uneasy looks. No one dared step forward again.

They were her guards, but they were not foolish enough to risk a charge of treason just to feed Margaret's greed.

I shifted my gaze to Lily, who was crouched behind the couch. A faint, mocking smile curved my lips.

"Lily," I said evenly, "you screamed awfully loud just now. Is it because you've taken so many of Isabella's gold coins that you can't even stand with a clear conscience? If you're truly innocent, why were you in such a hurry to burn the account book?"

I didn't bother looking at the mother and daughter. I turned and gestured to the royal guards I had brought with me.

"Guards, lift the chest." I straightened my cloak, my voice firm. "If this can't be handled here, we'll go to the High Court. We'll call the council, gather the elders, and request an emergency hearing tonight. This ends in a courtroom; we will let the law decide."

Princess Margaret's POV:

I stood frozen. My nails dug deep into my palms, but I didn't feel the pain.

My eyes locked onto Cindy's face.

That face... it looked too familiar.

The arrogance in her eyes. The stubborn lift of her chin. She looked exactly like her late mother.

What disgusted me even more was the cold, commanding Alpha aura around her. It felt just like the one Benjamin released the day he rejected me.

That damn father and daughter. Benjamin humiliated me when he was alive. Now his daughter was trampling on my dignity.

For a second, I wanted to shift and tear her apart. I wanted to bite through her slim neck and rip her to pieces.

But I couldn't.

Reason pulled hard against my anger.

Cindy's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over my head.

This was the noble neighborhood. Even a slightly loud disturbance would attract the patrol unit.

If I order my guards to attack Isabella and Cindy, my cold, calculating brother would use it against me. He would weaken my power with no questions asked.

And the High Court—that was even worse.

If Cindy handed the account book to Adam, with the way Adam admired her, he would make sure this case was sealed tight.

Lily wouldn't just lose her noble title. She might even be sentenced to exile and forced labor.

I looked at Lily hiding behind the couch, her face pale with fear.

She was my only daughter. My only heir.

I would not let her go to prison. I would not let those bitches who envied me laugh at my downfall.

Crash!

I grabbed an antique vase and smashed it onto the floor. Shards of porcelain scattered everywhere, stopping Cindy in her tracks.

"Stop!"

I took a deep breath and forced down the humiliation and rage. I put on a look of sorrow.

"Cindy, you win," I said through clenched teeth. Each word felt heavy. "If you want an investigation, we'll conduct it here. There's no reason to take this to the High Court. I won't let my name be dragged through the mud."

I spun toward Lily. She was still shaking behind the couch. I shot her a sharp glare, then raised my voice so everyone in the hall could hear. "You foolish girl! This is your doing! You were fooled by a crooked servant and didn't even realize it. Your Aunt Isabella suffers because of your mistake! If we don't clear up this account today and find out exactly how much Maria stole, you don't deserve to stay in this house!"

I had no choice. Every bit of blame had to fall on Maria. It was the only way to shield Lily—and myself. Even if we had to repay the money, it would be under the excuse of "compensating Isabella for losses caused by a corrupt servant."

"Guards!" I called out sharply. "Wake all the treasurers. Now!"