Lilia's sharp words hung in the air, drawing more whispers from the gathered cadets as she stared Adrian down. Her crimson eyes gleamed with calculated resolve as she noted the faint tension in Adrian's otherwise composed expression. His attempt to deflect her accusation had been expected, but she wasn't here to simply let him off the hook.
"Do I?" she repeated coolly, her tone carrying a subtle edge. Her words weren't a challenge—they were a declaration. She wasn't afraid of Adrian, and she wanted everyone in the room to know it.
Selene's gaze remained fixed on the two of them, her amusement evident as she folded her arms, leaning slightly against a nearby pillar. Her silence was strategic, Lilia realized. Selene wasn't intervening because she didn't need to—this was her way of letting Adrian and Lilia clash, watching for weaknesses she could exploit later.
But Lilia wasn't about to let Selene's little game rattle her. She had a plan.