Drake ignored Solivair completely. His eyes turned to Arthur. “Arthur,” he asked, voice calm but with an unmistakable weight behind it, “tell me—what happened? Why did you attack President Holland?” Just saying Arthur’s name, his tone had softened ever so slightly. Because the resemblance… it was too strong. Every time he saw Arthur, he couldn’t help but think of her—that stunning, unforgettable face. And the more he looked at Arthur, the clearer her image became in his mind. Arthur hadn’t expected to be questioned directly. He quickly sat up straight. Under the pressure of so many powerful figures’ stares, Arthur didn’t flinch. His voice was steady. “President Holland said I was only allowed to stay in that courtyard because I used my fiancée to please you, and that’s why you gave me special treatment.” Just repeating the words brought the killing intent flickering back into Arthur’s eyes. The way he looked at President Holland sent a chill straight down the man’s spine. The room shook with the sound of a heavy fist slamming into a table. Drake’s desk nearly cracked down the middle. His voice thundered with fury. “President Holland! You’ve got some nerve!!” The sudden roar stunned the entire room. No one had expected Mr. Drake to explode like this over that sentence. President Holland panicked. Teeth or no teeth, he clumsily tried to protest. “D-don’ wisten to him! Ih not true!” he slurred, barely comprehensible. Realizing his broken speech was hopeless, he looked desperately to the men behind him. His eyes screamed for help—and they understood immediately. “Governor, we can testify! President Holland never said anything like that. Arthur’s making it up!” “Yes, absolutely! Arthur’s clearly fabricating this to avoid punishment.” “It’s outrageous! He’d even drag your name into this just to escape consequences—what a vile child!” “Governor, please don’t fall for his lies. Who knew such a young boy could be so sinister and calculated?” They spoke with righteous fury, like Arthur had committed an unforgivable crime, and they were noble heroes standing up for justice. President Holland’s bruised lips twitched into a painful smile. Arthur. What are you going to do now? No cameras. No proof. And on his side—so many voices. How could Arthur’s words stand against theirs? He wasn’t even worried about these men lying on his behalf. They had too much at stake to do otherwise. And those men understood the situation as well as he did. Whatever Arthur said, they would crush it immediately. No matter what it was, they would deny it. They were determined to bury him with falsehoods and conviction. What was a nobody like Arthur doing trying to go up against them? But then Drake’s expression changed. It grew colder. Sharper. His voice dropped to a terrifying chill. “You all stand by what you just said?” The group felt a jolt—but then a flicker of hope. Drake sounded like he believed them. They nodded eagerly. “Of course, Governor! We wouldn’t dare lie to you!” “Yes! We swear it on our names!” “We’re on Heaven Island—who would dare deceive you here?” They said it with such confidence, they nearly convinced themselves.Then Ashley exploded. “You all stood in front of our courtyard mocking us for no reason—mocking me—and now you have the nerve to stand here pretending like you're innocent? You’re worse than animals!” Her face flushed with fury, her small frame trembling. What President Holland had said was too filthy for her to even repeat. Arthur immediately reached out and held her hand. Ashley saw the situation clearly. Arthur had no evidence. No allies. He would be forced to swallow this injustice. Tears welled up, and no matter how hard she tried, they spilled out. Arthur wiped them away gently and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you.” Ashley choked back a sob. Her heart ached for him. “I’m not afraid for myself. I’m afraid they’ll hurt you.” Their quiet exchange made the others in the room grind their teeth. And yet none of them noticed—Drake’s eyes had not left Arthur.