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    Chapter 948N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Leroy snapped back to reality and bolted down the stairs in a frenzy.


    Several guards in uniform stood by the counter in the lobby on the first floor, speaking with the messenger who hade to report.


    Leroy''s heart skipped a beat. When he had arrived, there had only been the shopkeeper and a waiter-no guards. When had they arrived?


    The messenger was none other than Michael, apanied by three others. Upon seeing Leroy, his face twisted with fury.


    "Mr. Stellwyn, what is the meaning of this?! Did you try to assassinate Commander Sinir?" he snarled.


    Leroy nced around; not seeing Carissa, a surge of anger red across his face. ''Impossible! Don''t nder us with baseless usations!"


    Icarus couldn''t have failed! The n had been carefully set-his group of over ten against only three people. There was no way it could have failed. And with Icarus'' skill, even if they were prepared for him, they could only have prevented the mission from seeding. They couldn''t possibly have captured him.


    It had to be a setup. Carissa had been taken, and now, they were trying to frame Westhaven. This was clearly a trap to get Leroy to slip up!


    Fury built in him as he turned sharply to Rafael. His voice was cold and seething, snapping. "Hell Monarch, what''s the meaning of this? Are you staging an act to frame us? Trying to gain leverage at tomorrow''s negotiations? Don''t be so despicable!"


    However, Rafael ignored him and turned to Michael. "You said Carissa was injured. Is it serious?"


    "It''s not too bad, just a wound to her arm. She''s already at Arcane Sanctum for treatment. Afterward, she''ll go to the Supreme Court," Michael replied.


    Rafael''s eyes softened with a brief sh of concern. How did she end up injured?


    However, he quickly regained hisposure and asked, "Are you certain the assassin is Icarus Mendez from Westhaven?"


    "Yes, it''s him, along with a dozen or so other men in ck. Commander Sinir killed several, and the rest were brought to the Supreme Court. They tried tomit suicide with poison, but Commander Sinir managed to extract the poison from their mouths."


    ''Impossible! If you keep making baseless ims, there won''t be a need for negotiations tomorrow!" Leroy snapped.


    A chill settled over Rafael''s expression, his tone icy as he said, "Why are you so anxious, Mr. Stellwyn? Why not go to the Supreme Court and see for yourself?"


    Leroy red at him, speaking each word with finality, "Impossible! Commander Icarus could have never attacked your princess consort!"


    Rafael sneered. "Is it that he could never attempt to assassinate my wife, or that he could never fail and be captured? When confidence crosses into arrogance, Mr. Stellwyn, it leads to downfall. Overconfident people often end up stumbling."


    Leroy remained defiant, though his bravadocked conviction. "In any case, it''s impossible."


    "Then,e with us," Michael said.


    ''Fine, let''s go!" Leroy''s voice was cold.


    He refused to believe Icarus could fail. This was all a trick to deceive him.


    The group made their way outside and mounted their horses. The route to the Supreme Court passed by Arcane Sanctum.


    As they passed it, Rafael spoke again, ''Let''s stop by Arcane Sanctum and pick up Carissa.''


    Leroy''s eyes flickered with suspicion. Though he didn''t know exactly where Arcane Sanctum was, he did know it wasn''t far from the Supreme Court. If they were trying to deceive him, why not go directly to the Supreme Court? It was farther away, and they would have more time to test him.


    But if they went to Arcane Sanctum, it would be impossible to see Carissa there. Wouldn''t that reveal their deception?


    Leroy''s gaze shifted to the Hell Monarch, who was riding ahead with a straight back and holding the reins firmly. Leroy tightened his grip on his reins, his fingers trembling slightly. Something about the situation tonight was off, though he couldn''t pinpoint exactly what was wrong.


    Their n to abduct Carissa was a well-kept secret. While it wasn''t perfectly nned, Leroy had trusted Icarus to carry it out carefully. The operation wasn''t hasty by any means.


    If they had to decide which part of the n was easier, it would have been deceiving the Hell Monarch, who was the lead negotiator for tomorrow''s talks. So, it was only natural for him to want to assess the situation before the negotiations.


    Icarus and his suicide soldiers couldn''t possibly have lost to Carissa and two mere servants! That was, unless someone had tipped them off and allowed them to prepare an ambush ahead of time.


    Yet, this operation had been kept so secret that Icarus had only learned of it during the pce banquet. After receiving the order, he hadn''t left Leroy''s sight. Plus, Icarus would never have exposed himself unless he waspletely desperate.


    Suddenly, it struck Leroy-if this operation had indeed failed, the only person who could have betrayed them was Harvey. Was he pretending to ally with Westhaven to get close to them?


    Leroy''s mind raced with uncertainty, but he refused to believe the mission had failed until he saw Carissa for himself.


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