Chapter 10: The Silver Trop

Chapter 10: The Silver Trop

(Sophia’s POV)

Icently tidied myself up in front of the mirror, a slight upward curve at the corner of my mouth. The seeds of doubt I had nted would soon bbloom /binto beautiful chaos.

I nced at the stall where Elena had bbeen /bone more time before sauntering away. My n was working perfectly

(Elena’s POV)

Not long after Sophia returned to the Crimson Moon Banquet Hall, I followed. The symposium concluded sessfully, and I emerged with Nathan Sterling and two esteemed experts from the werewolf medical field

One of the experts, Elder Harrison, praised my healing skills with genuine admiration. Tve heard from Nathan that you’re a closed disciple of Professor Theodore Ashworth. You’ve masteredplex healing techniques

at such a young age.

I humbly credited my mentor. “Professor Ashworth taught me everything I know.”

Elder Harrison chuckled warmly. “You’re as modest as your teacher. That’s the mark of true excellence”

After bidding farewell to the two elders, Nathan and I headed toward the Steel Ascent. We found a crowd

gathered in the Grand Atrium, their voices rising in agitation.

Sophia stood in the center, iming that her silver bracelet was missing. She demanded to check the

building’s surveince footage.

“Where exactly did you lose it?” someone questioned.

Sophia feigned grievance, her voice trembling. “I’m not entirely sure, but…” She spotted me and deliberately stated, “I remember encountering Healer Elena in the Moonstone Washroom. After that, my bracelet went

missing.”

The crowd was surprised. Some of my institute colleagues expressed–disbelief.

“That can’t be right,” one whispered.

Marcus arrived, his golden eyes scanning themotion. His Alpha presencemanded immediate

attention from everyone present.

“What’s happening here?” he inquired with authority.

Sophia tearfully told him that the silver bracelet he gave her was missing. Someone mentioned that Sophia imed to be with Healer Elena when the bracelet disappeared.

Marcus’s intense gaze fixed on me. The weight of his stare felt like a physical blow.

Nathan interjected, “There might be a misunderstanding. Elena doesn’t seem like someone who would take

bracelet.”

Marcus’s expression darkened dangerously.

(Marcus’s POV)

Chapter 101 The Silver Trap

My wolf Logan bristled, trying to protect Elena. However, rage consumed me as I questioned Natharts

defense.

“How long have you known her to defend her so vehemently? I demanded.

I

Nathan chuckled, maintaining his calm demeanor. “I always stand for what’s right. Evidence is necessary

before usations.”

(Elena’s POV)

I felt a pang of despair, realizing Marcus wouldn’t believe me. He would publicly humiliate me without hesitation.

Marcus suggested checking my belongings, his golden eyes staring intently at me with Alpha authority. “We

should search Elena’s bag to see if she took it.”

The crowd fell silent under the weight of his dominance. The air grew thick with tension,

Sophia pretended to be reluctant. “It wouldn’t be appropriate to search her belongings publicly.”

Marcus retorted coldly. “If you suspect someone, they should be checked. Is there a problem with that?”

I turned pale and dered firmly. “I didn’t take the bracelet.”

Marcus questioned why I would fear a search if I hadn’t taken anything. His voice carried the full weight of

his Alphamand.

Sophia approached me, urging me to allow the search. “If you truly haven’t taken it, you have nothing to fear.”

Sophia forcibly grabbed my bag. I reached for it, but Marcus stopped me.

His Alphamand was clear as he told Sophia, “Search the bag.”

Sophia opened my bag and pulled out a diamond bracelet. The surrounding people gasped in shock.

They looked at me with changed expressions. Somemented that they never expected Healer Elena to be

that kind of person.

I remained calm, though my wolf Cora snarled internally. I realized Sophia had nted the bracelet during our

encounter in the washroom.

I wondered if Sophia’s repeated attempts to frame me were because of Marcus. Despite our mate bond being

private, she somehow sensed the connection.

Sophia feigned disappointment. “Even if Elena liked the bracelet, bshe /bshouldn’t have taken it without

permission.”

The crowd’s usations and jeers fell on my ears like silver daggers. Each word cut deeper than thest.

Marcus noticed my pallor through our mate bond. He felt an ufortable tug in his chest and told

everyone to disperse.

bSophia /blooked at him in disbelief, surprised by his sudden intervention.

I spoke up, my voice steady despite the chaos. “Is everyone saying I stole the bracelet?”

Marcus frowned at my question,

I bignored /bhim and approached Sophia directly. Without warning, I pped her across the face win all my

– Chapter 10 The Silves Trap

strength.

The sound echoed through the atrium. Everyone was shocked by my sudden disy of defiance.

bNathan /bwas stunned, not expecting me to be so fierce.

Marcus grabbed my wrist, his grip firm and painful. “What are you doing?”

I retorted bthat /bI was defending my Innocence. “Someone has to stand up for the truth.”

I scoffed, my wolf Cora’s defiance bleeding through my voice. “I wouldn’t steal anything. If I wanted the bracelet, I’d take it openly”

I challenged Sophia directly. “Exin how I bcould /bhave stolen a bracelet that was supposedly on your wrist without you noticing. Is your hand as thick as your skin?”

Sophia, flustered, tried to exin. “The bracelet wasn’t on my wrist-

I pressed on relentlessly. “If it was your favorite bracelet, why weren’t you wearing it? How would I even know about it to steal it?”

Marcus grabbed my wrist tighter, his Alpha authority ring. When will you stop making a scene?”

I looked at Marcus in disbelief. My mate bond trembled with hurt as I basked/b, “Is defending my innocence considered making a scene?”

Marcus scoffed, his golden eyes cold bas /bwinter. “The bracelet was found in your bag. How can you im innocence?

My voice choked with emotion. I wouldn’t bdo /bsuch a thing-

Marcus cut me off harshly. “I only believe in evidence.”

Sophia intervened, urging Marcus to let it go. “Please don’t make things difficult for Healer Elena.”

Iughed bitterly, the sound hollow and broken. It seems I’m destined to be smeared with dirt.”

I red at Marcus and Sophia before turning to leave. My dignity was all I had left.

(Marcus’s POV)

My wolf was furious, wing at my consciousness to protect our mate. But I suppressed Logan’s instincts

with iron will

I pursed my lips, feeling an ufortable pull through our mate bond. The sensation was foreign and

unwee.

Sophia stopped me from following Elena. “Don’t make things difficult for Healer Elena.”