Chapter 83

ARI

Amber’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No! I would never do that!” she cried, her voice shaking with desperation. “I swear, I don’t know what he’s talking about!”

But the man on the floor wasn’t done. He looked up at Amber with a mix of pleading and betrayal in his eyes. “You… you told me it was just a joke… just to get her to loosen up,” he rasped. “You said… you said she’d be fine…”

Amber shook her head frantically, backing away as if she could distance herself from his words. “I never said that! He’s lying!” she insisted, her voice rising with panic. “I didn’t do anything!”

I glanced at my father, wondering how he was processing this. His expression was unreadable, cold as ever. But I knew him well enough to sense the storm brewing beneath his demeanor. If there was one thing he didn’t tolerate, it was lying and betrayal–especially from within the family.

“Do you hear that?” My father directed toward the man. “You’re trying to accuse my daughter of something she didn’t do. Do you k