Found Obsession

Chapter 137: Humiliation II

Rose had managed to get up, feeling her headache continue and the pain in her cheek ache. She thought of those she still needed to protect and while still holding onto everything she still had in pieces she tucked the laptop securely under her arm and reached into her pocket, pulling out the only thing that was actually hers, the silver coin. With a flick of her fingers, she sent it spinning into the air, watching it rise and fall, over and over again.

As the soldiers emerged from around and from the tent, she saw it—fear.

Yes. Fear me.

She felt it seep into her bones, the cold creeping deeper with every second.

Those same wary, reverent eyes that had once followed her father were now on her.

Her gaze dropped for a moment, catching hushed whispers drifting through the tense air.

"A deadly beauty—no doubt."

This war had been because of her. If she had taken the ceremony before, if she had never run, none of this would have happened. It was her fault. She despised herself for it.

If she hadn't fled, if—

She cut the thought off. It didn't matter now.

Turning sharply, Rose strode back toward the tent. The moment she stepped inside, the soldiers erupted into applause and salutated.

"General Hansley!"

The sound rang through the space, each voice filled with a mixture of awe and obedience.

Rose didn't react. She simply lifted her chin, her voice calm, absolute, commanding.

"Return all men on foot from the battlefield—now."

The room stilled for a second, then snapped into motion. Orders were relayed through radios, voices carrying out her command without hesitation.

"Form a frontline here. Keep our enemies trapped in the middle. Surround them—with all the troops from both air and see. No one gets out."

No one questioned her. Radios crackled, boots thudded against the ground as soldiers moved swiftly to execute her orders.

Rose watched the controlled chaos unfold, then turned away and walked to her seat.

She sat down slowly, exhaustion pressing into her bones. Across from her, Brianna sat curled into herself, her small arms wrapped tightly around her knees.

For a moment, Rose just stared at the girl—so young, so afraid. And then, finally, she exhaled, pressing her fingertips against her temples as the weight of everything settled in.

Rose drank her wine, absently flipping the silver coin between her fingers as she waited.

Soon, her father's bodyguard began grabbing the two chessboards—the same ones that had been on the circular table over to their table. They were made of glass, their craftsmanship undeniable.

Jonathan. Of course, he had brought this—a perfect representation of the chess sets from the elite room.

Without a word, Rose reached into her pocket and pulled out the package of cigarettes Elijah had given her the day before.

Someone immediately stepped forward, offering a lighter.

She took it, flicking it on and lighting the cigarette, aware of the many eyes now watching her.

Her gaze dropped to the chessboard being placed in front of her. She studied it carefully, letting the first drag of smoke fill her lungs before exhaling slowly.