Page 160 of Ruthless God

“She already knows,” Claudius says smoothly, his voice edged with dark amusement.

He circles Blanc, every step measured, like a predator toying with its prey.

“Knows how you used him.”

His fingers trail over the back of Blanc’s chair, light, almost affectionate.

“Knows how you were going to frame him.”

Blanc’s jaw tightens. He doesn’t deny it. Doesn’t even try.

But Claudius isn’t done. He turns to me, his smirk deepening.

“What she doesn’t know…” A slow, purposeful pause. “Is everything that happened after that.”

Blanc goes rigid, his fists clenching against the bindings.

Claudius watches, reveling in his reaction. Then, he motions to the chairs.

“Take a seat, mama.”

One next to Blanc. One facing him. I don’t hesitate. I settle into the chair where I can see Blanc’s face. Where I can watch his reaction. Where I can see every lie he tries to tell.

Claudius’ smirk widens.

“Well,” I say, my voice sharper than I intend. I lean forward, my gaze locked on his. “I’m all ears.”

Claudius chuckles, low and pleased. “I knew I liked you.”

He winks, like this is all a game. But we both know it isn’t. He rests his hands on the back of Blanc’s chair, looking down at the man who has controlled so much for so long.

And then, in a voice mockingly soft, he says, “Where, oh where, do I begin?”

Blanc’s throat bobs. For the first time I see it. Fear.

Claudius snaps his fingers. “I know. Why don’t we start with how you let all the Elite Members fall for things you had done? DeLeon. Zhang. Jones. Smith. Men you’d known your entire life.”

Those names mean nothing to me, but they mean something to Blanc. His face pales, and he shakes his head.

“What’s the matter, old man? Don’t like hearing their names?”

“Who are they?” I demand.

Claudius doesn’t look at me. His eyes are still locked on Blanc, like a predator watching prey.

“They were his closest allies. His friends. His Brothers.” He lets the words sink in. Then, with mock sympathy, he says, “And one by one, he let them take the fall for him. Tell me, Blanc, did it ever keep you up at night? Watching them fall while you sat back and thrived?”

Blanc’s teeth grind together and then he says, “And what about you? You’re so proud of flaunting my sins in front of me. What about your sins?”

Claudius' eyebrow lifts, smirking as if this is nothing more than a game. “I’m all ears.”

Blanc's gaze hardens.

“Yes, I shot Gabriel, but you were the one who threw his body off the cliff.” Blanc’s gaze flicks to me. “Did he tell you that Gabriel was still alive after I shot him?”

His words hit like a bullet. I snap my head toward Claudius. Waiting for him to deny it. To call Blanc a liar. But he doesn’t. He just watches me. Expression calm. Unbothered. Unrepentant.

Blanc presses forward.

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