- Chapter 148
Chapter 148
“Priscilla, that’s enough!” Waldo’s face darkened sharply.
It wasn’t just the vulgarity of her words about Jessica–it was the way she had shouted it out so brazenly, exposing his own inner gult for all the solders.
Waldo knew the men in
men respected Jessica, But they respected him too,
There was no need to tear open old wounds like this, no need to speak so viciously
Priscila nered, “What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve? Got you mad, didn’t I? That filthy whore
“Enough” Darwin’s face was icy, his wolce trembling with anger. “Miss Yates is the finest strategist this army has ever had. She may be young, but she’s fought and bled beside the men for years. Watch your mouth when you speak of her.”
The soldiers‘ respect for Jessica wasn’t blind loyalty it was earned. They had fought, survived, and thrived because of her
Priscilla’s foul mouth–spitting out “whore” with every other word–made the soldiers‘ faces grow colder and harder, though she seemed blind to the storm she was stirring
Even Hughie, who had always been cautious, felt a surge of resentment toward her but knowing how much Waldo doted on this woman, he didn’t dare speak out
Priscilla’s gaze swept over them with contempt. “Of course. Every one of you–nothing but that whore’s lapdogs.”
Her eyes locked onto Darwin, her fury growing, and without thinking, she spat, “What, did you sleep with her too? Is that why you’re so desperate to defend her? Because you’ve rolled around with that whore?”
Darwin trembled with rage. “You can insult me if you want,” he said hoarsely, “but you will not slander Miss Yates. Do you even know how many lives she saved on the battlefield over the years!”
He stopped forward, but before he could say another word, Priscilla’s whiplashed across Darwin’s face, leaving a vivid, bloody mark
The soldiers frome. Even Hughie stood gaping, stunned that Priscilla had actually struck him.
Waldo, too, was momentarily paralyzed.
Darwin was his deputy–someone he had never treated with such humiliation.
In the army, men
army, men could endure beatings, wounds, even broken bones–but a slap across the face was the ultimate humiliation.
Darwin’s fists clenched at his sides as he glared at Waldo, forcing himself to choke down his fury.
In a hoarse voice, he said, “Your Highness, the path ahead is suspicious. Everything about the rebels we encountered feels wrong. I beg you–order a
retreat, now.
“No!” Priscilla snapped instantly. She couldn’t afford, to retreat.
If she returned in defeat, she would lose all chance of outshining Jessica.
Darwin’s patience snapped, “You traitorous witch! Jessica must have sent you as a spyl I should kill you where you stand!” With a hiss of drew her sword and lunged straight at Darwin’s chest.
“Stop!” Hughie shouted in panic.
*Priscilla, stand down Waldo roared, finally shaken from his hesitation.
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Priscila
Chapter 148
But he was a beat too slow.
Though he managed to grab her arm and yank her hack, the blade had already slashed across Darwin’s chest–blood pouring instantly from the mo
“Let me go, you coward!” Priscila shrieked, struggling against Waldo’s grip. “He’s in bed with Jessica Ha’s one of hers! How long are you going ba là yourself be fooled by these traitors?”
Priscilla was hysterical now. Everyone–everyone was against her. They wanted to rob her of her glory, destroy her chance to rise. They deserved to all of them!
Pointing her sword at Darwin, her voice shaking with fury, she snarled, “Speak! Tell everyone what tricks did Jessica use to seduce you? you’re so- eager to defend her, then admit itt Did you sleep with her too, you filthy dog? Are you sabotaging me and Waldo on her orders?”
