Chapter 394: A Line Crossed

Ethan Carter

The moment Chris issued the order, I knew this wasn't going to end peacefully.

Classic stood firm, his body shielding Amal from the guards, his expression a storm of barely restrained fury. The air in the council hall was thick with tension, the kind that usually preceded bloodshed.

I had seen this before.

Loyalty clashing with authority.

And in my experience? It never ended well.

Chris was calm—too calm. He knew exactly what he was doing, but I wasn't convinced he had the full picture. Someone was playing a dangerous game, and if we weren't careful, this would spiral into something far worse than a simple arrest.

I stepped forward, my voice even. "Classic."

His eyes snapped to mine, sharp with warning.

"I know how this looks," I continued, keeping my tone measured. "But fighting back now won't help her. If she's innocent, we'll prove it. But if you go against your father on this…" I let the sentence hang. He already knew the consequences.

His jaw tightened, but he didn't move.

Amal, to her credit, placed a hand on his arm. "Classic," she whispered. "Not here."

He exhaled sharply. His rage hadn't lessened, but he was thinking. Calculating.

Chris watched him closely, waiting.

Finally, Classic stepped back—just slightly. Not in surrender, but in restraint.

I nodded to the guards. "No unnecessary force. She goes as a guest, not a prisoner."

Chris didn't object, which meant he had already anticipated this.

As the guards escorted Amal out, Classic turned to Chris, his voice low and lethal.

"I will prove you wrong."

Chris met his gaze without flinching. "Then do it."

I let out a slow breath.

This wasn't over. Not even close.