From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

“Also arrange for our crisis management team to handle the online situation.” My voice carried the edge of controlled fury. “Delete all the malicious content spreading about Sable. Block Blair’s social media accounts permanently.”

“Consider it done, Your Majesty.”

“And draft an official statement. I’ll dictate the content.” I leaned back. “The statement reads as follows: Sable Crawford is my fiancée and the only woman I will ever love. The photos circulating online are maliciously fabricated. I have no inappropriate relationship with Blair Sterling. Any individual or media outlet that continues spreading false information or insulting my fiancée will face the full extent of my legal power and authority. I will pursue justice without mercy. Evidence supporting this statement will be released within twenty-four hours.”

Edward typed rapidly on his laptop while coordinating with the crisis team.

“The tech specialists are remotely accessing the phone now,” he reported, not looking up from his screen. “They’re bypassing the encryption protocols as we speak.”

I watched the clouds drift past the window. Each mile we traveled brought me closer to the truth.

As we approached our destination, Edward’s laptop chimed with incoming results. His expression grew progressively darker as he

read.

“Your Majesty, the preliminary findings are… extensive.” Edward’s voice carried a weight I rarely heard. “The situation is worse than we anticipated.”

I straightened. “Tell me.”

“Blair’s phone contains loads of communication with Lucian. Detailed planning for multiple attacks.” Edward’s jaw tightened. “They orchestrated the engagement party accident, the James situation, and several other incidents.”

My hands clenched into fists. “Continue.”

“We found financial transfers showing Blair hired assassins to eliminate James and his father-to silence them permanently.”

White-hot rage flooded my vision. I raised a viper in my own home.

“Your Majesty?” Edward’s voice seemed to come from far away.

I forced myself to breathe. To think clearly despite the murderous fury coursing through my veins.

“When did we become such fools, Edward?” The question came out raw,

Edward met my eyes steadily. “Sometimes the people closest to us are the hardest to see clearly.”

Several hours later, the jet touched down at Blackwood Airport.

I stood as the engines wound down. “Edward, take Blair directly to the dungeons. Use the heaviest restraints we have.”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

“She’ll wake up in chains so heavy she can’t even shift her position.” My voice carried arctic cold. “I want her to understand exactly

how serious her situation has become.”

Edward signaled the warriors. They lifted Blair’s still-unconscious form with professional detachment.

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Chapter 123

Ill interrogate her personally once I’ve spoken with Sable,” I added.

I drove toward Sable’s apartment through streets I’d traveled countless times, but everything felt wrong now. My phone rang uselessly each time I tried her number-straight to voicemail without even a ring.

Damn it.

I attempted to establish our mind-link. “Sabi, please hear me. I can explain everything.”

Nothing. The connection hit a wall of deliberate silence.

She’s blocked me out completely.

My foot pressed harder on the accelerator. The buildings blurred past as I raced toward her apartment.

At her door, I raised my hand to knock-then hesitated.

What if she refuses to listen? What if the damage is already irreversible?

I knocked gently. “Sabi, it’s me. Please open the door.”

Silence.

I knocked again, more insistently. “Sable, I know you’re in there. Let me explain what really happened.”

Still nothing.

Minutes passed. I pressed my ear to the door, listening for any sound of movement inside. The apartment remained eerily quiet.

Finally, I reached into my pocket for the spare key she’d given me and inserted it into the lock.

The lock turned with a soft click. I pushed the door open slowly, stepping into the apartment.

The apartment was silent when I entered, but the silence felt wrong. Heavy. Suffocating.

I dropped my keys on the counter and called out, “Sabi?”

No response.

My chest tightened as I moved through the hallway. That’s when I saw her.

Sable was curled into the corner of the sofa, knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her shins like she was trying to hold herself together. Her eyes stared at nothing-empty, hollow, ringed with red and swollen from crying. Tear tracks had dried on

her cheeks in silver lines.

The coffee table was littered with crumpled tissues. Her phone lay on the carpet where she’d obviously thrown it in anger or despair.

My heart shattered.

‘Sabi…”

The word came out as a whisper, rough with pain I couldn’t hide. She looked like a broken doll.

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Chapter 123

Slowly, she lifted her head. When her eyes met mine, there was no anger burning there. No fury or hurt or betrayal. Just death. Complete, absolute emptiness.

You came to do what? Her voice was a rasp, devoid of any emotion. “To show me how happy you and she are together?”

I took a careful step toward her. “Sabi, let me explain. Things aren’t what you think-

“Don’t touch me. She pushed herself deeper into the sofa cushions when I reached for her face.

She stood abruptly, putting distance between us. “We’re done, Caelan.”

The words hit me like physical blows. “Done?”

“Please formally reject me.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Break the mate bond between us.”

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“Sable, I know you saw those photos, but I swear to you we didn’t have any kind of relationship,” I said, pulling out my phone. “I have proof this was all Blair’s scheme.”

Her laugh was bitter. “Proof?”

“I installed a needle camera in Blair’s room yesterday,” I explained quickly. “This video recorded everything that actually happened.”

Confusion flickered across her features. “A camera? When did you install it? Why would you do that?”

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I pulled up the video file. “Because I suspected she might try something.”

I hit play.

The screen showed Blair’s room in dim evening light. Blair entered, supporting my unconscious body as she half-carried, half- dragged me to the bed. She laid me down, then began systematically removing my clothes.

Piece by piece, my suit disappeared. My shirt. My pants. Everything.

Sable’s eyes widened as Blair stripped herself naked and climbed onto the bed beside me.

Blair’s hands roamed across my chest and face with obvious obsession. She kissed my unresponsive lips, my jaw, my neck.

“Oh God, Sable breathed, seeing me clearly drugged and helpless.

A cold laugh escaped Sable’s throat. I coughed awkwardly. “Sorry, Sabi. I was so rushed to get to you that I didn’t preview this video. Maybe we should skip this part.”