章 573: THE ANNOUNCEMENT II

IVAN POV

Arianne strolled inside, her presence immediately commanding the room. Her steps were measured, each one deliberate as if she knew exactly the power she wielded, even now when they were all plotting against her. A solemn expression was etched across her face, her eyes scanning the council members who had moments ago spoken about her with such venom. Now they fell into a heavy silence, one that settled over the room like a thick fog. No one dared to speak. No one could.

She stopped at the center of the room, standing tall despite the weight of their judgment pressing down on her. Her gaze moved slowly across each of them, her posture regal and unyielding. Finally, her eyes landed on me, and in that moment, I realized how much she had known all along.

I swallowed hard, the anger I'd felt only moments ago twisting into something more painful—regret.