Chapter 88

In a flash, Victoria materialized before Evelyn. With calculated precision, she seized Evelyn's wrist and dramatically flung herself backward.

"Help!" Victoria shrieked as she tumbled down the staircase. Her body collided with the marble statue at the base with a sickening thud.

Crimson blood immediately gushed from Victoria's temple.

"Murder!" she wailed, crawling toward the guards with theatrical terror. "Save me! Evelyn's trying to kill me!"

The soldiers rushed to assist Victoria while gaping at Evelyn in stunned silence.

Evelyn stood frozen. Was Victoria framing her again?

She recognized Victoria's manipulative patterns. But this time, the scheming woman had taken it to dangerous extremes.

Clutching her bleeding forehead, Victoria trembled behind the protective wall of soldiers. "Call the police!" she sobbed pathetically. "Evelyn's attempting to murder me!"

A crowd quickly gathered around the spectacle.

Everyone recognized Evelyn but dared not confront her directly or summon authorities.

Meanwhile, in a speeding vehicle, Adrian ended his phone call with grim urgency.

He turned to Liam in the backseat. "General Blackwood, urgent situation. Ms. Carter is in trouble."

Liam snapped his documents shut. "Explain."

"Ms. Carter allegedly assaulted Ms. Dawson. Now Ms. Dawson demands police intervention," Adrian reported.

Liam's fist clenched, his expression darkening. "Turn us around."

Adrian checked the time. "But sir—"

"Now." Liam's voice carried lethal calm.

"Yes, General." No one disobeyed Liam Blackwood's orders.

The thirty-minute journey condensed to fifteen as they raced back to base.

A tense standoff unfolded outside the dormitories.

Two armed factions faced off—soldiers in black tactical gear shielding Evelyn while police in brown uniforms prepared to make an arrest.

Officer Damian Reeves sneered, "Know your place! National defense is your job. Criminal investigations are ours."

The soldiers stood firm. "Without General Blackwood's direct order, no one touches Ms. Carter."

Victoria stomped her foot in frustration. "Are you blind? I'm the one Liam loves! We grew up together—we're practically family! You should be protecting me from this murderer!"

The soldiers ignored her protests. "Our orders are clear—protect Ms. Carter at all costs."

Evelyn felt both protected and overwhelmed by their loyalty.

Damian assessed Victoria's injury and the soldiers' defiance. Annoyance twisted his features.

"Anyone resisting arrest will face additional charges," he declared.

Police officers cocked their weapons in unison.

"Secure Ms. Carter," the soldiers commanded, forming an impenetrable shield around Evelyn as they retreated.

Damian growled, "You're not going anywhere."

The lead soldier warned, "General Blackwood will have your badge if you lay one finger on Ms. Carter."

Damian scoffed, puffing out his chest. "I've always found Blackwood insufferable. This is my jurisdiction. Lawbreakers face consequences—no exceptions."

Tension crackled in the air like live electricity.

Then a voice like thunder split the standoff: "Who dares threaten what's mine?"