Cassel — POV
"John… what have you done?"
General Zan's voice trembled—barely, almost imperceptibly. You wouldn't have noticed it unless you listened closely.
John, however, seemed to realize he had been exposed.
How could he not, when Henry's wicked, triumphant smile stretched across his face?
"No, Father—Father, I didn't do anything! They tricked me, it was them! They want to tear our family apart—that's why they're doing this! Father, please, you have to believe me! I'm your son—your own flesh and blood!"
John looked as though he had fallen into a state of pure panic.
Perhaps he feared being exposed… or perhaps he feared losing his family's trust.
But if I had to guess, he was terrified of how his father would deal with him.
No one—absolutely no one—escaped General Zan's wrath, not even his own blood. That much was common knowledge. His reputation as a strict, unyielding man who accepted no mistakes—no matter who made them—was widespread.
