---- Chapter 12 Alexandra Smith POV: The air in the room crackled with a sudden, tense silence. Dianne froze, her body going rigid. The color drained from her face, leaving behind a pasty, mottled grey. She stared at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and raw, animal fear. "|... [don't know what you're talking about," she stammered, her voice a reedy, unconvincing whisper. | didn't say a word. | just held her gaze, my expression unwavering. | had no proof, nothing but a gut feeling born from Gabriel's investigation and Carla's insane ramblings. But the look on Dianne's face was all the confirmation | needed. She was guilty. Her fear quickly morphed back into fury, a defense mechanism she had clearly honed over a lifetime of deceit. "How dare you!" she shrieked, her voice trembling. "You vile, lying creature! I'm going to get Edward! He'll deal with you!" She turned and scurried out of the room, her movements clumsy with panic. She was so agitated that she tripped over the threshold, sprawling onto the hallway floor in a heap of designer clothes and righteous indignation. She immediately began to wail, a theatrical performance for ---- the benefit of the nurses and patients who were starting to gather. "Help! Somebody help me! My daughter-in-law is a monster! She's threatening me! She pushed me!" The crowd of onlookers murmured, their expressions shifting from curiosity to disapproval as they stared at me. | was being painted as the villain, the abuser of a frail old woman. Edward appeared, his face a thundercloud. He helped his mother to her feet, his arm protectively around her shoulders. "She's lying, Edward," | said, my voice weary."! didn't touch her." "Save your breath, Alexandra," he snarled, his eyes filled with disgust. He glared at me, his gaze so full of hatred it felt like a physical blow. "You accuse my mother of being a murderer? You have truly lost your mind." He walked towards me, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. "You're going to apologize to my mother," he said, his voice a low, menacing growl. He reached for me, his hands closing around my throat. His thumbs pressed into my windpipe, cutting off my air. The room began to spin, black spots dancing in front of my eyes. "Apologize," he hissed, his face inches from mine. | clawed at his hands, my lungs burning, but | couldn't speak. | shook my head, a small, defiant gesture. | would not apologize. | would not give them the satisfaction. ---- His grip tightened. "I will kill you right here, Alexandra," he whispered, his voice shaking with a terrifying rage. "Don't think | won't." My lungs were on fire. My head felt like it was going to explode. Just as | felt my consciousness begin to slip away, my flailing hand brushed against something hard and metallic on the bedside table. The fruit knife Carla had left behind. My fingers closed around the handle. It was an act of pure, primal instinct. A desperate bid for survival. | swung the knife upwards, plunging it into his side. He gasped, a sound of pained surprise, and his grip on my throat loosened. He staggered back, his hand flying to his abdomen. Dark red blood was already seeping through the fabric of his expensive white shirt. Dianne screamed, a piercing, hysterical sound. "He's been stabbed! She tried to kill him! Somebody call the police! Lock her up!" The knife clattered from my numb fingers onto the floor. | stared at the blood on my hands, then at Edward, who was looking at me with an expression of pure, unadulterated shock. "Don't let them take her," he gasped, clutching his side as nurses rushed to his aid. "She's mine." Even now, even after | had stabbed him, his possessiveness was absolute. He wouldn't let me go. Not to the police, not to ---- anyone. A cold, terrifying thought settled in my heart. He wasn't going to turn me in. He was going to handle this himself. And his punishment would be far worse than any prison sentence. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.