Chapter 423
“Suit yourself, Hannah,” my father sighed, turning to leave. “But don’t let your pride get in the way of your happiness. Sometimes, compromise isn’t weakness—it’s strength.”
As the door closed behind him, I rolled my eyes, collapsing back into my chair. Compromise. I may have agreed to be Noah’s date at the festival, but it didn’t mean I intended to relinquish my position as Alpha. Besides, why should I be the one to surrender my title if we reconciled? Why couldn’t he give up his? Why was it always the woman expected to compromise more than her share?
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit interrogation chamber. Alvin sat at the metal table, looking far too comfortable for someone in his position. His lawyer, a sharp-faced woman in an expensive suit, sat beside him, her expression neutral but her eyes calculating.
“Hello, Alvin,” I said, my voice cool as I took my seat across from them. “I hope you’ve had some time to think about making your confession.”
Alvin’s lips twitched into a smirk as he tugged at his stiff white collar and tie. “Oh, I’ve had plenty of time to think. Confessions, though? Not so sure about that.”
I ignored his sarcasm, pulling a file from my briefcase. I flipped it open and tossed it onto the table, revealing the report I’d received months ago from the pharmacist about the diet pills. “This is proof the diet pills I was taking were laced with contraceptives. Does any of this look familiar to you?”
His lawyer leaned in, whispering something in his ear. I strained to hear, but couldn’t make out the words. Alvin’s smirk widened as he leaned back, saying nothing. The silence stretched between us, taut as a bowstring.
“You do realize the severity of what you’ve done, don’t you?” I pressed, ignoring his silence. “Tampering with an Alpha’s medication, intentionally endangering her life and her heir’s? That’s a serious offense. Treason. Life in prison.”
Still, Alvin remained silent, that infuriating smirk never leaving his face. His eyes, so similar to my own, held no warmth, no familiarity. It was like looking at a stranger.
I shook my head, gritting my teeth. “We grew up together, Alvin. Why would you do this? What could you possibly gain from trying to prevent me from having a child?”
Before Alvin could respond—not that he seemed to have any plans to—his lawyer cleared her throat. “My client has been advised not to speak at this time. Any questions you have can be directed to me.”
Ignoring the lawyer, I leaned forward, my hands flat on the table. “Alvin, please. Just tell me why. Was it Zoe? Were you working with her and Scott? Did they put you up to this? If they threatened you in any way, I can help. But you have to work with me here.”
Nothing. Not even a flicker of emotion crossed his face. It was like talking to a statue, cold and unresponsive.
“Fine,” I said, standing abruptly. My chair scraped against the floor, the sound harsh in the quiet room. “We’ll uncover the truth eventually, Alvin. With or without your cooperation. And when we do, I hope you’re ready to face the consequences.”
Alvin merely crossed an ankle over his knee and waggled his fingers at me. “Ta-ta, cousin,” he cooed. “It was so nice catching up.”
Suppressing a growl, I gathered my files and stormed out of the interrogation room. Only once the door had slammed shut behind me with a satisfying bang did I finally release the curse hiding behind my lips.
“Bastard.”