"This charade has gone on long enough, Victoria! You’ve been consorting with a liar, a fraud, all to escape your duty to this family!" Edward's voice thundered through the room as he jabbed an accusing finger in Alex’s direction. "And you—standing there, pretending to be someone you’re not, deceiving us all—"
"Enough." Alex's calm voice cut through the storm of accusations, commanding the room’s attention. He stepped forward with quiet authority. "I’ll admit it," he said firmly. "I am not Heinrich Lancastriel’s adopted son."
Gasps echoed from the gathered family members and elders, the weight of his admission crashing over them like a tidal wave. Anger flared, rising rapidly among the crowd.
"You dare admit it now?" Edward shouted, his face twisting with fury. "You’ve lied to us, humili
