Chapter 70. Reward for Betrayal

Elena’s POV

The room didn’t explode right away. For one strange second, everything went quiet. Then panic hit. Someone screamed.

Bella staggered backward like her legs gave up on her. She dropped hard to the floor, hands flying to her chest before she retched, making a mess of her perfect dress and the marble tiles.

Eric didn’t even flinch. “So weak,” he said flatly. “And you thought you were strong enough to stand at the top.” He turned away from her like she was nothing and came straight to me. His hand closed around mine, firm and grounding. His eyes searched my face.

“Are you okay?”

I swallowed, my heart still racing, but I nodded. “I… I’m fine.”

That wasn’t true. But I was standing.

Mark wasn’t. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” he shouted, his voice cracking. His face had gone pale, his confidence evaporating. “You’ve lost your mind! Why would you bring something like that here? Who is that man?!”

Eric’s expression didn’