The Tyrant's Stolen Bride-Chapter 115: Dragged Away

Before Rowan could respond, Mrs. Axel smoothly drew Lyra from his side, leaving him standing there in momentary disbelief.

He had been trying to avoid a scene, only to have his wife spirited away by the hostess herself.

Rowan simply turned and followed them, giving Lyra a faint smile when he noticed her glance back over her shoulder at him.

Lyra, meanwhile, wore a confused expression as her eyes landed on Axel, who stood with his arms crossed, watching them from afar.

Axel felt a pang of guilt as he caught his wife’s sharp gaze fixed on Nova. After all, the murmurs of disgruntled guests reminded him that he had miscalculated the situation.

It was Nova who had caused the scene and with a subtle motion, he signaled his men to prepare.

"What is this, honey?" he asked, one eyebrow raised as his gaze settled on his darling wife.

"Darling, I was in the restroom earlier and heard what happened," she said.

Then she turned her attention to Nova and gestured toward her.

"She’s the one who caused the trouble. She pressured Mrs. Pierce without any regard. If anyone should leave this event, it’s her."

Nova’s hands sprang up, her mind racing. She hadn’t expected to be blamed so openly. She quickly spoke up, trying to defend herself.

"No, no, you’ve got it wrong! I was only asking for help... but she refused, and I had to act desperately."

But none of her words got through. Nova shook as she noticed Axel’s gaze grow even fiercer after her explanation.

Mrs. Axel tilted her head slightly, a faint, sharp smile playing on her lips as she spoke.

"So, you’re saying I’m the one in the wrong? Are you telling me my ears don’t work, or that my brain can’t tell right from wrong? Tell me."

"No, no! I didn’t mean you... I meant her..." Nova stammered, pointing at Lyra, which made Lyra frown in response.

Nova tried several times to turn the blame onto Lyra, but she was backed up by the people around her.

Panic set in. Her reputation was plummeting far faster than she had ever planned.

The guests’ murmurs grew louder, a rising tide of disapproval that pressed against her from all sides.

"Apologize!" Axel shouted at her, barely holding back his anger.

The room fell silent. The weight of the moment pressed down on Nova, but she refused to comply.

"Me? Apologize to her? No way." she scoffed. She shot Lyra a look of pure disgust, convinced her own status was far superior.

"An apology isn’t enough, you tried to harm my wife twice." Rowan said suddenly, his voice stern as it cut through the air.

"W—What?" Nova stammered.

"You never apologized for this morning. And now you’re stirring up trouble again. No wonder you failed to secure a single investor for your business."

Rowan’s lips curved into a thin, contemptuous smile.

"I know how to deal with people like you. Of course, I won’t do it in front of everyone."

Rowan’s voice alone was enough to make Nova’s skin crawl, let alone the threat behind it.

"Um... I—I can explain..." Nova’s voice trembled, almost swallowed by the weight of the room.

"It was her... she was the one misleading people with the way she dressed!"

"Huh? Since when?" Lyra blurted out, genuinely confused.

"So this morning, you treated me worse just because of what I was wearing?" She tapped her chin, almost amused, remembering clearly that she had dressed simply just to go downstairs for a meal—neat and put together, hardly looking like someone to be judged.

"Am I supposed to dress like it’s a gala every time I step outside?"

She sighed, her patience wearing thin. She had been trying to avoid a scene all along, but Nova insisted on sabotaging her at every turn. Now, she was about to make her regret it.

"What a shallow mindset, Miss Nova. I suddenly find myself with no desire to entertain this any further."

She turned to Axel.

"Mr. Axel, could you please have her dismissed? The air in here is starting to feel... unpleasant."

Marcus exaggeratedly sniffed and grimaced.

"Yeah. Smells like something burning... rotten pride, maybe. You might want to escort her out quickly, Mr. Axel."

"How dare you!" Nova lunged toward Lyra, reaching out as if to grab her.

Rowan shoved her aside, sending her staggering backward. She nearly fell, but the people around her stepped away, unwilling to catch or help her.

Nova grunted as she hurriedly regained her footing.

"You—!" she began, only for Axel to wave his hand, and his men closed in.

"Just take her," he muttered, rubbing his temple, already feeling the headache coming on.

Nova twisted in protest, sending a fiery look at Lyra, who only smiled and waved with the calm satisfaction of someone completely unbothered.

Those standing around Lyra made it clear she was protected, and the sight only fueled Nova’s jealousy.

Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at everyone who had the audacity to watch her being dragged away, while the earlier group paid her no attention.

Axel turned his focus to Lyra as his demeanor softening. "I also owe an apology. I mishandled things at my event... but an apology alone won’t do."

He smiled briefly at his wife as she nodded in agreement before he continued, "If you’re not busy, please come to our estate tomorrow. Give us a chance to make amends."

Mrs. Axel gently took Lyra’s hand, nodding encouragingly, but Lyra hesitated.

She was touched by the couple’s earnestness and truly wanted to come, but the circumstances didn’t allow it.

"But our flight back to Mistvale is tomorrow, and there’s no need to go to such lengths... it’s out of your control anyway."

Lyra glanced at Rowan, silently asking for support.

"Yes, I must apologize on my wife’s behalf... we can’t delay our flight. There’s important work that cannot wait."

Axel placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder, his gaze flicking between Lyra and Rowan.

"That’s all right. We understand, and we don’t want to inconvenience you. We’ll find another way."

"Exactly, but next time, if you come to Oaklyn, you must stop by our house, okay?"