Nate's gaze locked onto the man standing before him, his expression unreadable. He didn't want to hurt innocent people—not over Claire's lies, not over some ridiculous scheme. He took a slow breath, then spoke, his voice steady but firm.
"Do you actually believe I would do something like that?"
Silence.
Not a single person answered.
That was all he needed to know.
Their hesitation spoke volumes. Even those who had once trusted him, those who had fought alongside him, were now standing there, uncertain. The weight of Claire's accusation and the so-called evidence before them had already taken root. He could see it in their faces—some didn't want to believe it, but the torn clothes, Claire's fake tears, and the way Axel and his men had barged in as if waiting for the right moment had already sealed their judgment.
They didn't know what to think anymore.