Chapter 288. The Reckoning Begins

Axel's eyes darken, his expression twisting with rage. "You're nothing but a bitch. You think you can defy us and get away with it? You're delusional, child."

Lara stands her ground, her heart pounding in her chest. She feels the tension in the room, the hostility radiating from the rogues as they close in around her. But she refuses to back down. She has come this far and has no plans of turning around; losing is not an option.

"I'm not afraid of you, Axel," she says, her voice low and dangerous. "You've threatened me, hurt the people I care about, but I won't let you control me anymore."

Axel sneers, taking a step closer. "You think you're so strong, don't you? But you're just like the rest of them—weak, powerless."

Lara's eyes flash with anger. "You don't know anything about me, Axel. You can't scare me; you should know that."

Axel laughs, th