Page 95 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

I walked to the podium. Reporters packed the room below. Camera flashes strobed across my face.

"Thank you all for coming today." My voice carried through the microphone across the hall. "I've called this conference to address the recent false reports about Windsor Fragrances."

I gestured to Marcus. He stepped forward and projected the evidence onto the large screen.

"After investigation," I continued, "the so-called 'toxic fragrance' incident was entirely fabricated with malicious intent. The alleged victims were all paid to give false testimony. Those medical certificates were forged."

The screen scrolled through evidence—chat logs, wire transfers, doctors' statements.

Whispers rippled through the reporters below.

"And the person behind it all," I paused, "is Lina, the former lord's daughter adopted by the royal family."

Lina's photo appeared on the big screen. Reporters started snapping pictures. I heard someone say "that's her" and "I thought she'd become Luna."

"Now," I said, "Lina will come forward and apologize publicly to the victim, Ms. Elena Windsor. Furthermore, the Hale royal family is severing all adoption ties with Lina and revoking everything Hale has provided her, including her residence."

Lina's head snapped up. She looked at me like I'd stabbed her, eyes full of venom. She wore a black suit, face deathly pale, hands clenched tight in front of her. She walked slowly, each step like she was heading to her execution.

Elena came up from the other side and stood beside the podium.

Lina stopped in front of Elena. The entire hall fell silent except for the click of camera shutters.

Lina glanced at me. My expression didn't change. She bit her lip, then slowly, her knees bent, and she sank to the floor.

"I'm sorry." Her voice was tiny, clearly reluctant.

"Louder!"

"I'm sorry!" Lina's voice cracked higher, tearful. "Elena, I'm sorry. I spread those lies. I framed you..."

She finished speaking, lowered her head, leaned forward, about to lick Elena's shoe—

"Stop."

Elena spoke suddenly.

Lina froze and looked up.

Elena stepped back, looking down at her.

"I won't become what you are," she said calmly, but every word crystal clear. "Lina, you humiliated me that way. You made me kneel. You made me lick your shoes. Back then, I was in pain. I was humiliated."

She paused.

"But now," a faint smile curved her lips, "I'm better off than you. I have my own business, my own worth, and children who love me. And you? You have nothing but jealousy and spite."

"That's the real revenge," Elena said. "I don't need you to lick my shoes. I don't need you kneeling in front of me. I just need you gone. Out of my life. Forever."

She turned to look at me.

"Lucifer, let her go."

The hall was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in a flurry of camera shutters.

I looked at Elena. At her straight spine. At her calm expression.

The woman who'd knelt in the rain begging me five years ago was gone.