The Betrayed Princess Rising Chapter 104

Lylah's POV

It took less than two seconds.

The moment Hunter saw Ezra’s card, the color drained from his face. Confidence collapsed, leaving only fear.

“Wait!” he blurted, stopping Iris just as she reached for her phone. “We don’t need to involve the Lunaris Enforcers. I apologize.”

My brow arched.

“Why not?”

He swallowed, throat bobbing.

“As I reconsider… the fault is mine,” he said quickly. “Not yours. Not the restaurant’s. So even if the Enforcers come, they won’t find any wrongdoing here. There’s no need to go that far.”

Iris looked at me.

I gave her a small, subtle nod.

Postpone it.

“Hmm,” I murmured, tapping a finger lightly against the table. “You’re right. Maybe it isn’t the Enforcers we need.”

Relief flashed across his face.

It died the instant my words left my mouth.

“But an attorney,” I finished, smiling faintly.

Hunter froze.

“Iris,” I continued smoothly, “the law department in Lunar Grace has produced many excellent attorneys. And we do have connections with some of them, don’t we?”

Understanding sparked in her eyes instantly.

“Of course,” she said, catching on beautifully. “I even know someone from Whitepine who’s now one of Verdanth’s top attorneys. Just last month, he won a fraud case against a restaurant that framed an innocent customer…” She paused deliberately. “…That sounds exactly like our situation, doesn’t it?”

Her smile returned, sharper than before.

“Lylah, I can call him right now.”

I nodded.

Satisfied.

“Please do. I’ll cover his fee. And maybe we should get the Lunaris media involved too,” I added lightly. “It would be unfortunate if others became victims of the same treatment.”

Iris’s smile grew more confident, her fear fading as she stared directly at Hunter.

Seeing that look on her face filled me with quiet satisfaction.

“Yes, Lylah. That’s a great idea.”

“Ladies, this is too far,” Hunter said. His face had gone pale, his fear now impossible to hide.

Pity flickered briefly inside me.

We had no grudge against each other before tonight.

But he had made Iris cry. He had ruined our night.

I wouldn’t let him walk away so easily.

His gaze found me, pleading for mercy.

“Please… do we really have to take this path?” he asked weakly. “This can be resolved more amicably.”

Before I could answer—

“Iris.”

A man’s voice called out.

He approached our table, and my eyes dropped to the name tag on his chest.

Chef Victor Ross.

The owner.

Victor’s gaze shifted to Hunter, his expression sharpening.

“Why didn’t you tell me Isaac’s sister was here?”

Hunter stiffened.

“Sir, I-I apologize. I forgot,” he stammered.

Victor frowned.

“I heard there was some commotion. Is everything alright?” He asked.

Relief eased some of the tension in my chest. At least he didn’t seem hostile toward Iris.

Iris began to explain everything.

As they spoke, my gaze never left Hunter.

He knew exactly who Iris was. Knew she was Isaac’s sister. Knew she was connected to the owner of this restaurant.

And yet he still went along with it.

This wasn’t his plan.

So who had sent him?

I scanned the room.

Selestine bristled beneath my skin. We weren’t just looking. We were hunting. For the one who thought they could corner us, shame us, and get away with it.