He Scorned My Love Now He Watches My Rise Chapter 24
Bianca finally appeared at the public apology three days later.
Almost everyone in the Nightfall pack was there.
Three years ago, she had said that if I truly left, she would apologize in front of everyone.
Now, not only had I left, but I had spent three full years in another territory on my own.
She stood on the stage, a sheet of paper clenched in her hand.
“I apologize for the misunderstanding between myself and Siobhan three years ago.”
“We were all young and said some inappropriate things. None of us wanted things to end up like this.”
She lowered the paper.
“I hope this matter ends here.”
The audience was quiet.
The elder overseeing the review frowned.
“What, specifically, are you apologizing for?”
Bianca pressed her lips together.
“I already said. For the misunderstanding.”
“Which part was the misunderstanding?”
I spoke for the first time.
“That you knew the watch cost half a year of my wages but still said I wanted a sports car in return?”
“Or that while my mother was hospitalized, you lured me away with a fake silver-injury message?”
“Or maybe it was adding me to a group called *How Long Can She Hold Out* and getting more than twenty people to bet on when I’d come crawling back?”
Bianca’s hands started shaking.
“Do you have to humiliate me point by point?”
“These are things you did.”
I looked at her.
“Why is it humiliation only when it comes out of my mouth?”
Someone in the crowd gave a low laugh.
Bianca jerked her head toward her old friends.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“You were the ones who said she must have had ulterior motives for buying the watch.”
“When we tested her, every one of you was there.”
Someone shot back immediately.
“But after the saleswoman told you the truth, you never told us.”
“You made the group. You kept dragging her back into it.”
“You made the fake silver-injury call.”
Bianca’s voice rose, sharp and shrill.
“Colton knew, too! He sat there laughing! Why are you all only forcing me to apologize?”
From the other side of the room, Colton rose to his feet.
“She’s right.”
Bianca froze.
“I was involved, too.”
Colton walked to the front.
“I knew about both tests. I saw the medical bill. And at the mall, I was the one who asked Siobhan if she was waiting until after the claim to get more.”
He faced the whole room.
“I apologize to her, and I accept the review of my succession rights.”
He didn’t say he had been influenced by anyone.
He didn’t hand the knife back to Bianca.
With that, Colton cut off her last line of retreat with his own hands.
She stared at him, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
“I did all of this because I liked you.”
“No.”
Colton shook his head.
“You just liked winning.”