He Stole My Children I Refused His Crown Chapter 17
I went on. “Lucian is using my father’s life and Elliot’s to force me into this betrothal. If I enter the royal castle and Ironvale is bound to the crown again, you’ll be the first one he sacrifices.”
Celeste ground out, “You think too highly of yourself.”
“I’d rather die than help you.”
I didn’t argue. I just placed the weapons factory manager’s confession video and photos of the ledgers on the table in front of her.
“That’s fine.”
“If Ironvale is convicted of treason, then Redhaven’s illegal army will be purged as well. We’ll both lose our packs, our territories, and all our protections. Fair enough.”
Celeste shot to her feet.
I took a slow sip of my tea.
After a long silence, she finally asked, “What do you want me to do?”
“First, alter the factory’s electronic records to point to Lucian. The factory has stored weapons for him before. As long as you provide his estate’s authorization code, the evidence we have will be enough to prove his involvement.”
“Second, at the royal council hearing in three days, your father will publicly demand a retrial of Ironvale’s treason case and summon Elliot to the chamber to testify.”
Celeste was silent for a moment, a calculating glint returning to her eyes.
“And after this is done, what does Redhaven get?”
The anger I had been suppressing all night finally snapped.
I rounded the table, seized her by the throat, and slammed her back into the chair.
She was still weak from her miscarriage and couldn’t break my grip.
“Cooperate, and Redhaven might have a chance to save its ordinary members after taking responsibility.”
“Refuse, and you and Lucian will be buried together under the evidence of that illegal army.”
I released her and looked down at her coldly.
“This is not a negotiation.”