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CHAPTER 148
~Spring's POV~
The room stilled, a mix of laughter, disbelief, and startled coughs breaking the air a second later.
My gaze slid to hers, assessingly. Rose's smile was the exact kind she wore when she'd already written the ending in her head.
She didn't think I'd back down. No—her eyes told me she wasn't counting on me to be the one squirming. She wanted Eryx uncomfortable. She wanted him to fold under the weight of being in the spotlight.
I let the thought sit between us for a moment, then let a mischievous curve tug at my lips. "Okay."
Rose's smile faltered—just slightly—but her brows lifted like she was impressed I'd even pretend to play along.
Across the circle, Kaius blinked once, then smirked faintly.
Eryx, though… his jaw had gone tight, eyes narrowing at Rose before they flicked back to me. "You don't have to—"
"Didn't say I had to," I cut in, my tone light. "I'm choosing to."
