Tempted By My Ex's Brother-in-Law (Aria and Grayson) novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Aria’s POV

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“There you are, Lady Quentina,” Grayson said, shaking her hand.

I ducked my head even lower behind Torvi, holding my breath carefully.

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“Nice to meet you, Alpha Grayson. I’ve heard so much about you,” Quentina said politely, though her tone was distant.

“Likewise,” he said. “In fact, my girlfriend Aria is originally from your pack. She’d love to meet you if she were here.”

“Oh, is that so?” Quentina’s voice dropped a few degrees colder. “Then why isn’t she here? Considering her history with Isla. I thought she’d be thrilled to see Isla get what she deserves.”

“The trial hasn’t started yet. We don’t know if she’s guilty,” he replied calmly.

WTF.

My hands balled into fists.

He should damn well know she’s guilty! I’d told him everything that Isla did. How cruel she was. And I’d shown him enough proof. And even now, after all this, he was still defending her!

Anger and pain burned behind my eyes. I stared deadly at my shoes, forcing my tears back.

Quentina let out a cold, amused laugh. “I thought you’d take your girlfriend’s side, but it seems you’re leaning toward your ex–wife?”

He crossed his arms. “We’re both on the jury. It’s not appropriate to discuss opinions before the trial.”

“Well, I’m just saying,” she said sharply, “maybe it’s a good thing your girlfriend isn’t here then. That way, she won’t have to watch her boyfriend vote for his ex.”

Grayson’s eyes narrowed at her, his expression hardening. Quentina didn’t let the conversation drag. “Excuse me, Alpha Grayson,” she said curtly and brushed past him toward her seat. Few people in this world had the guts to dismiss him like that. She was one of a few.

I followed her quickly, blinking back tears that still stung my eyes.

Lady Quentina found her seat and waved me closer, handing me a silk handkerchief under the table.

“Don’t be sad. He probably didn’t mean it,” she whispered.

I dabbed my eyes silently. She was being kind, but she was wrong. Grayson meant every damn word. Powerful like him didn’t need to pretend.

“Jerk,” Torvi commented sharply.

11:20 Sun, Oct 12

Chapter 147

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Somehow that snarky comment actually made me laugh–just a small, shaky laugh that slipped out.

“Torvi, that’s enough,” Quentina snapped. She then sighed and lowered her voice. “But what worries me most, Aria…is that he might vote against you later.”

My smile died instantly, horror crawling up my spine.

Grayson would actually vote against me?

It never even crossed my mind before. Did he feel guilty about Isla? Yes he did. Did he want to see her punished? Probably not.

But… would he really vote in her favor in front of everyone? Would he let her walk free and leave me to deal with the consequences of accusing a noble?

I never let myself think about that possibility until now.

But Lady Quentina was right. It could happen.

A loud gong suddenly echoed through the courtroom, silencing the whispers around us.

Alpha Vladimir marched onto the stage and sat down. An elder beside him stood up and declared:

“Trial for Lady Isla of Spike Hill Pack now begins! Bring in the defendant!”

The heavy double doors swung open.

Isla walked in, surrounded by a group of armed guards. I glared at her, hatred boiling inside me.

Even now she looked flawless. Her makeup was delicately polished, her face pale but perfect, with soft pink eyeshadow and nude lipstick that made her look innocent like she was the victim.

“Lady Isla, you’re charged by Aria Collins from Red Stone Pack for multiple serious crimes, including kidnapping, murder, and extortion,” the elder said. “Since this is your home court, you may speak first. What do you have to say?”

Isla took a deep breath, slowly raising her head so everyone could see her face.

She didn’t cry. She didn’t panic.

Instead, she looked calm, dignified. Even untouchable.

Shit. I cursed internally. I was hoping she’d fall apart and be totally hysterical like last night. But no. She acted smart. Maybe someone coached her before the trial.

“What do I have to say?” she asked with a sad little laugh. “Honestly, I’m speechless. Aria Collins made up all those horrible lies simply because of her personal grudge against me. I didn’t know anyone could be that

vicious. Until now.”

“So you’re saying all her accusations are false? And what kind of grudge are you talking about?” the elder asked.

11:20 Sun, Oct 12

Chapter 147

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Isla bit her lip, glancing toward Grayson before saying, “When we first met, Aria was actually very polite–she even tried to be my friend. But once she found out I used to be married to Alpha Grayson, everything changed. She became bitter, jealous, and hysterical. Then she started making up lies to win Grayson’s sympathy and paint me as a murderer.”

A low murmur swept through the jury. Some of them looked over at Grayson. He sat perfectly still, staring ahead, expression unreadable.

“So you’re claiming Aria Collins is a liar and none of her accusations are true?” the elder pressed.

She sighed softly. “Aria’s just… a poor girl. Desperate to be loved. I understand how insecure someone from her background must feel dating an Alpha. But lying won’t earn her love. It’s just sad she doesn’t realize that.”

Whispers grew louder. I could see people nodding in agreement.

My throat became tight with nervousness. I could barely breathe.

Isla’s biggest advantage was her status. People always assumed nobles were good and pure. And she was playing her role perfectly today. Calm. Graceful. Manipulative. It might actually work.

“Thank you, Lady Isla,” the elder said. “Since Aria Collins isn’t here, representatives from Red Stone Pack will speak for her. You may begin.”

One of Grayson’s pack members stepped up and began presenting my case.

In fact, Nova’s team had prepared well. They laid out every piece of evidence proving Isla used Otto and Glen as her hitmen, and how she’d spied on Grayson through all of his ex–girlfriends. She’s a murderer and a psychotic stalker.

Anyone with half a brain would see she was guilty.

But Isla’s lawyers were good. TOO GOOD. They twisted everything.

Every piece of evidence was “misinterpreted.” Every witness was “confused.”

They made it sound like I was some jealous lunatic who couldn’t handle her boyfriend’s ex.

They even managed to make the room laugh a couple of times, especially when they mocked my background.

“I bet even if Aria Collins loses today, she’ll still be thrilled,” one of the lawyers joked. “After all, when does a commoner like her ever get this many Alphas and nobles gathered just for her?”

That won a good laugh from the crowd.

By the end, the sides were clear. Some people believed in me. They knew what Isla really was and thought this was a great chance to teach her a lesson. But just as many supported Isla, especially those born into noble blood like her.

It was all going to come down to which side had more votes.

11:20 Sun, Oct 12

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