Chapter 20: CAUGHT AGAIN!

Chapter 20: CAUGHT AGAIN!
LEONA
I froze, the accusation feeling heavy in the air. The dining hall was eerily silent except for the faint clatter of utensils as the guests pushed back their plates, their expressions ranging from disgust to intrigue. I could feel their eyes on me—judging, questioning, condemning.
"I—I didn't..." I started, my voice trembling, but the words got caught in my throat.
Alpha Zane's piercing gaze settled on me, his cold grey eyes narrowing. "Explain," he demanded.
My mind raced. There was no way I had anything to do with this. I hadn't even been near the food long enough to tamper with it. But how could I convince anyone of that when I was already the odd one out?
"It wasn't me," I managed to say, my voice firmer this time. "I just delivered the food. I wasn't in charge of preparing it."
Liora snorted from where she stood, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall, watching me with a smug expression. "Convenient excuse," she mocked. "You delivered it, didn't you? Who else would have messed it up?"
I clenched my fists on the arms of my wheelchair, fighting the heat rising in my chest. I knew what she was doing—she wanted to humiliate me, to drive me out of this palace.
"That's enough," the head maid's sharp voice broke through the tension as she entered the hall, her eyes darting between me and Liora.
Mrs. Marlowe's presence silenced the room instantly. She surveyed the scene, her gaze lingering on the food and the offending cockroach before turning to Liora.
"I saw you earlier in the kitchen," Mrs. Marlowe said coldly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Laughing, causing trouble, and pouring dirty water on your colleague. Do you have something to say for yourself, Liora?"
Liora's confident smirk faltered, and she stammered, "I—I don't know what you're talking about."
Mrs. Marlowe's expression hardened. "I don't tolerate lies, Liora. And I don't tolerate sabotage. Until further notice, you are banned from the dining hall and will receive no meals for the rest of the day. Do I make myself clear?"
Liora opened her mouth as if to argue but quickly thought better of it. "Yes, Mrs. Marlowe," she muttered, her face red with embarrassment and fury.
"As for the rest of you," Mrs. Marlowe said, turning her attention to the other maids, "if I hear so much as a whisper about mistreating your colleagues, you'll face similar consequences. Now, clean this mess up and return to your duties. Alpha Zane has guests, and we cannot afford any more disruptions."
I swallowed hard, relief washing over me as the attention shifted away from me. But the tension in my chest didn't ease. Even though I'd been spared the brunt of the blame, the humiliation lingered.
The rest of the day passed without further incident. I forced myself to keep my head down and focus on the tasks Mrs. Marlowe gave me. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, exhaustion weighed on me, but I refused to let it show. The whispers and sidelong glances from the other maids didn't bother me anymore—at least, that's what I told myself.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I was dismissed to my quarters for the night. The quiet of my small room was a welcome relief. I sank into my wheelchair, letting out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
But the moment of peace didn't last. My mind kept drifting to that letter I'd seen in Alpha Zane's chambers. There had been something about it—something important. I had to find out what it said.
I knew the risks. Alpha Zane was still entertaining his guests, which meant the halls would be quieter but not completely empty. If I got caught, there would be no talking my way out of it this time. But the thought of Gina kept pushing me forward.
With one last glance at the door, I wheeled out of my room and into the faintly lit hallway. My heart pounded as I navigated the twists and turns leading to his chambers. The palace felt eerily still, the faint sound of distant voices my only company.
When I reached his door, I hesitated. My fingers hovered over the handle as I took a deep breath. This is for Gina, I reminded myself.
I pushed the door open slowly, the creak of the hinges sending a jolt of panic through me. The room was just as grand as I remembered, the faint scent of sandalwood filled the air.
I moved quickly, knowing my time was limited. I searched the desk, shuffling through papers and opening drawers as quietly as I could. My hands trembled when I found the envelope, the same one I'd seen before.
My heart raced as I opened it, unfolding the letter inside. The words blurred together at first, my mind too frantic to make sense of them. But just as I began to read, the sound of the door opening froze me in place.
I turned sharply, the letter clutched in my hands, and saw her.
Liora.
Her blonde hair glowed in the dim light, and her lips curved into a cruel smile. "Well, well," she drawled, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe. "What do we have here?"
I stuffed the letter back into the envelope, but it was too late. She'd seen me.
"You're going to be in so much trouble," she sneered. Her voice was loud enough to send a chill down my spine, but she didn't move toward me. Instead, she spun on her heel and ran down the hallway. "I'm telling Alpha Zane!"
"Wait!" I called, but she was already gone.
Panic surged through me. My hands fumbled as I tried to put the letter back where I found it. The seconds felt like hours as I rushed to straighten the desk, my heart hammering in my chest.
I wheeled myself toward the door, but it was too late. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway, and a deep voice broke through the air.
"What's going on here?"
Alpha Zane.
He appeared in the doorway, his imposing figure blocking my only escape. His grey eyes locked onto me, and his jaw tightened as he took in the scene.
I tried to speak, to explain, but no words came out.
For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick enough to suffocate me. Then his voice came, low and commanding.
"Start talking."