Fear flickered in the eyes of Kael Vale, Maddox, and Ronan Duskcliff. None of them wanted to face the truth. All they wanted was to escape. Riley took in their distressed expressions with a twisted sense of satisfaction. For the first time in five years, she felt the cold thrill of vengeance. Her lips curled upward slightly. But just as Tessa's eyelids began to flutter-just as the long-awaited truth was about to be revealed-a sharp, commanding female voice rang out. "What do you all think you're doing crowding a patient's room like this? Don't you know she needs rest?" A woman in a white coat stormed in, her tone filled with outrage. Right behind her trailed Alpha Alaric and Luna Zara of the Ebonclaw Pack. The moment Scarlett spotted the woman, her eyes lit up like a wolf seeing her pack leader. She nearly lunged forward into the woman's arms to cry her grievances, but held herself back at the last second. When the woman's gaze landed on Scarlett, it turned gentle-almost doting. But the moment she looked at Riley and the others, her demeanor hardened into stone. "Are you all deaf? The patient needs rest. Get out," she snapped. The doctor Ronan had called in earlier quickly stepped forward and asked with deference, "Dean, I didn't know you were coming. Why are you here?" "If I hadn't shown up, I suspect this entire room would've been torn apart. All of you-out. Now." Her tone left no room for discussion. Riley stood her ground, her gaze never leaving the three wolves-Kael, Maddox, and Ronan-whose shoulders visibly relaxed. She hadn't expected it, but they all looked relieved. Kael was the first to speak. "The Dean's right. We weren't thinking. Let's give Tessa space. Come on," he said, tugging Scarlett toward the door. But Riley's voice rang out, sharp and unyielding. "No one is leaving until the real attacker is identified." Kael paused mid-step. He turned back, clearly annoyed. "Riley, that's enough. Can't we talk about this at home? You're making a scene in a hospital." She let out a bitter laugh, full of mockery. "Right when the truth is about to come out, you want to run home? How convenient.""Today, we unmask the real culprit. No one walks out until then." "You-!" Kael trembled with frustration. Scarlett, tucked safely in his arms, looked like a fragile flower on the verge of tears. "Riley," Scarlett said, voice quivering with calculated innocence. "I've always seen you as my real sister... but why do you keep targeting me? If I did something wrong, just tell me. I'll change. Please..." Her sobs began, soft and pitiful. "Shut up!" Riley snapped, raising her hand to slap her. Before the blow could land, the Dean's hand clamped around Riley's wrist, yanking her back and shoving her away with surprising strength. Pain radiated through Riley's arm. "This is a hospital, not a courtroom," the Dean barked. "Take your disputes elsewhere. The patient needs peace, not your theatrics." Her glare held more than warning-it held disdain. Behind her, Alpha Alaric and Luna Zara said nothing, but their judgmental stares spoke volumes. If Riley caused any more trouble, they were ready to drag her out by force. Riley drew in a breath, trying to calm herself. She narrowed her eyes at the Dean. Just moments ago, Tessa had been about to name her attacker. But at the exact moment of truth, this Dean had appeared-too conveniently. Though she addressed the room at large, her gaze had been fixed on Riley. And when Riley moved to punish Scarlett, the Dean had stopped her with nearly bone-crushing strength. There were too many coincidences. Riley didn't believe in coincidence. This Dean wasn't just a bystander. "What's your relationship to Scarlett?" Riley demanded. "Why is it that you only protect her?" The Dean's expression faltered for a split second before regaining composure. "You're being ridiculous. I'm simply doing my job-maintaining order in my hospital." Riley scoffed. "Order? You mean protecting Scarlett." "The patient hasn't asked anyone to leave. She's not tired. You're the one pushing us out-because you've got something to hide.""Watch your mouth," the Dean snapped, her voice rising with fury. "I'm just stating the truth. You might be the Dean, but you have no authority to silence a witness, especially not one who's about to name the wolf who nearly got her killed. If you keep trying to stop her, I'll have no choice but to suspect you're shielding a criminal." "She will name the one who harmed her. And no one-no one-is stopping that from happening." Her voice rang like a blade through the tense room. The Dean's face darkened, veins twitching along her temple. If she could've torn Riley's tongue out right then, she would have. "You're being unreasonable," she hissed. "If you don't calm down, I'll call security and have you removed." Riley stepped forward instead, her eyes locked onto the Dean's like steel on steel. "Go ahead. Call them. Then everyone in this hospital will know-the Dean of Mooncrest Medical is protecting a would-be murderer. Let's see how long you hold onto that title after that."