The sudden outburst from Kendall startled Georgia Adams, making her freeze in place. She couldn’t comprehend his sudden fury after he’d been so full of praise just moments before. Not just her-everyone who had resigned themselves to the loss of this investment was equally baffled.
Kendall’s eyes grew sharp and icy as he glared at Georgia. Slowly, he rose from his seat, his gaze turning predatory, brimming with intensity.
As Georgia stood there, despite all her previous confidence, she found herself wilting under his gaze. After all, she was just one woman.
Facing someone like Kendall-a man who’d thrived in the ruthless world of business and wore his power like armor-she couldn’t help but lower her head.
Kendall took a step forward, his gaze drifting upward, almost as if looking beyond the room itself. His hands clasped behind his back, and his face contorted from fury to a kind of restrained heaviness. After a long pause, he let out a deep sigh, then spoke in a somber tone. “Defender of the South. Do you even know what that title means?”
He didn’t look at Georgia, but she knew he was asking her. Not that she had an answer; she was still reeling from his sudden rage, unsure if this was leading to something good or bad.
Kendall drew a long breath, speaking with gravitas. “Defender of the South-it means invincibility. It means a standing above all others. It’s a title earned through blood, honor, and unbroken valor. Because he is Seclela’s undefeated war hero, the legend of our people!”
“On the battlefield, he’s like a god wielding fate itself. With a single command, he can move mountains or turn tides.”
“Eight years ago, he led an army that vanquished 300, 000 enemy troops. His victory was so decisive it made him an instant legend, and he was named the War God of Seclela, our one and only five-star General. That year, he was only seventeen.”
“He’s risen through countless battles, becoming a symbol of strength. Three years ago, he single-handedly defeated the commanders of ten allied nations, striking terror across the globe. His name alone is a nightmare to his enemies!”
Kendall paused, letting his words sink in, and those listening felt a surge of patriotic pride. Some even felt a newfound sense of reverence as he spoke of the legendary figure.
With eyes that now held an almost reverent gleam, Kendall turned back to Georgia. “The Defender of the South is not just a hero. He is Seclela’s most cherished symbol. And yet, here in this insignificant town of Hiphia, someone dared to impersonate him for petty gain!”
“Do you understand? Pretending to be the Defender of the South is a crime punishable by death.”
“Do you understand? Everything you have could be stripped away.”
“Do you understand? You’re digging your own grave?”
Each “Do you understand?” landed like a hammer, causing Georgia to feel trapped and trembling. Her breath quickened as she looked up at Kendall, her eyes misty with fear and helplessness. With her husband not by her side, she felt an overwhelming vulnerability she hadn’t known before.
The onlookers began muttering, realizing what was happening. “You’re kidding me-she’s been claiming her husband’s a war hero?”
“I thought the Adams family had a real powerhouse behind them. Who knew it was just a sham?”
“This kind of fraud should be punished! It’s disgraceful.”
Georgia felt like an animal cornered, her spirit faltering under their condemning words.
Yet a flash of clarity struck her as she pieced together Kendall’s accusations: he was saying Kayden Scott had lied to her, that he wasn’t the Defender of the South. But Georgia knew in her bones he was telling the truth-Kayden had been open with her, and even a fortune teller had confirmed his destiny.
She trusted her husband more than anyone.
So she stood tall, speaking to Kendall with newfound confidence. “No. My husband is the Defender of the South. He would never lie to me!”
This was her first time pushing back, her only time daring to speak up.
Kendall’s face grew darker. In his world, no one had ever dared defy him. After all, he represented the powerful Saint Dragon Business Association, a financial juggernaut in Seclela. He stepped closer to Georgia, eyes blazing, his presence like a physical force that made people shrink back.
But Georgia didn’t back down. She locked eyes with him, standing firm in her faith in Kayden. She’d questioned him before but would no longer doubt him. People might call her naive, but she knew her husband and the integrity he held in her heart.
“So, you’re telling me I’m wrong?” Kendall asked, voice as sharp as steel.
Georgia held her ground, replying clearly, “Yes. You’re wrong. You’re defaming my husband.”
And in that moment, Georgia Adams wasn’t just an ordinary woman. She stood there, embodying the true spirit of a warrior’s wife, exuding all the strength and dignity of a lady.