---- Chapter 5 Alexandra Smith POV: The slap was so unexpected, so shockingly violent, that for a second | just stood there, the imprint of her hand burning on my cheek. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. Dianne raised her hand again, but this time, my reflexes kicked in. | grabbed her wrist, my grip surprisingly strong. Her eyes widened in surprise, her cold composure momentarily broken. "Don't you ever touch me again," | snarled, my voice low and shaking with a rage | didn't know | possessed. She yanked her arm back, her face contorting into a mask of pure contempt. "You worthless creature," she hissed. "Do you have any idea the trouble you've caused? Losing that baby... You can't even do the one thing a woman is good for." Her words were designed to shatter me, but they only fueled my fury. "That baby had a Cardenas grandson in its veins," | shot back. "Or did you already know that Carla here is carrying the real heir?" Carla, who had been watching with a smug smile, feigned a gasp. "Alexandra, how could you say such a thing? | would never betray you like that." ---- "Save it, Carla," | snapped, turning my glare on her. "| know everything." Her smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of genuine alarm. She stood up, the movement emphasizing the swell of her belly. "You're just jealous," she purred, recovering quickly. "Jealous that | can give Edward what you couldn't." That was it. The final straw. The sound of my hand connecting with her cheek was a sharp crack that echoed through the room. Carla stumbled back, her hand flying to her face, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, her face crumpled, and she let out a theatrical wail. "She hit me! Dianne, she hit me!" Dianne rushed to her side, pushing me so hard | staggered back, my recently healed ribs screaming in protest. "You monster! How dare you lay a hand on her!" | clutched my side, gasping for breath as pain shot through me. "She's a liar and a homewrecker," | managed to get out. Just then, the front door opened, and Edward walked in. He took in the scene-me clutching my side, Dianne hovering over a sobbing Carla-and his face hardened. He rushed past me, his eyes never even glancing in my direction. "Carla? Are you okay? What happened?" he asked, his voice thick with concern. ---- Dianne pointed a trembling finger at me. "That venomous shrew attacked her! For no reason at all!" Edward's gaze finally settled on me, and it was filled with a cold fury that made my blood run cold. "You," he spat, the word dripping with venom. "You come into my home and assault my guest?" He didn't even question it. He didn't even ask for my side of the story. He just took their word, his condemnation swift and absolute. "She's carrying my child, Alex," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper as he walked towards me. "My heir." The confirmation, spoken so callously, was like a knife to the heart. | felt like an outsider in my own home, in my own life. They were a family, and | was just an obstacle. "Apologize," he commanded, his face inches from mine. "Apologize to my mother and to Carla. Now." A bitter, broken laugh escaped my lips. "Apologize? You cheated on me. You conspired with them to kill our baby. And you want me to apologize?" Dianne let out a sharp gasp. "Lies! Vicious lies!" Carla sobbed louder, burying her face in Edward's shoulder. "Make her stop, Eddie. She's scaring me." Edward's face tightened into a mask of rage. "You are a toxic, ---- delusional woman," he hissed. "You will not speak to them that way." He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my flesh like talons, and began to drag me towards the door. "Get out," he snarled. "Get out of my house." The polished marble floor felt like ice beneath my bare feet as he hauled me outside. The cold evening air hit my skin, raising goosebumps. He threw me onto the porch, my knees scraping against the rough stone. "You will kneel here and you will not get up until you are ready to apologize like a civilized human being," he commanded, his voice shaking with fury. | looked up at him, my vision blurred with tears of pain and rage. "The chat logs, Edward," | whispered, my voice cracking. "The ones about the car crash. About Prometheus." His face went pale. For a fleeting moment, | saw fear in his eyes. Raw, unmistakable fear. Then it was gone, replaced by his cold, impenetrable mask. He stared down at me, his expression unreadable. "| have no idea what you're talking about," he said, his voice flat. Then he turned, walked back inside, and shut the door in my face, leaving me alone and broken on the cold stone porch. 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.