---- Chapter 32 Noah caught up to her, his breathing heavy. "He's in trouble, Ava." "What kind of trouble?" she demanded, a cold dread seeping into her bones. Noah's eyes flickered down to her hand, which was resting protectively on her stomach. It was an unconscious gesture, but he noticed it. His eyes widened slightly. "Are you...?" he started to ask, his voice a disbelieving whisper. Ava's face hardened. She didn't answer his question. "What about Liam?" she repeated, her voice sharp. Noah's gaze was still fixed on her stomach. A complex mix of emotions crossed his face - shock, pain, and a strange, bitter jealousy. The thought of her carrying Liam's child was a physical blow. The final, irrefutable proof that she was lost to him forever. "The deal he went to close," Noah said, his voice strained, "it's with a rival company that's been trying to sink his for years. They're playing dirty. They've trapped him." He pulled out his phone and showed her a news article. The headline read: "Tech CEO Liam Vance Accused of Corporate Espionage, Detained for Questioning." ---- The world tilted. Ava stared at the screen, at the blurry photo of Liam being escorted by two stern-looking men. Her knees felt weak. "No," she whispered. "That's not possible. Liam wouldn't... "It's a set-up," Noah said quickly. "But it's a good one. They have 'evidence'. He could be tied up in legal battles for months, even years. His company's stock is already plummeting." Ava felt like she was going to be sick. This was the mess Lia had warned her about. The complicated family business dealings. "l can help," Noah said, his voice dropping to a low, persuasive tone. "My family has connections. My lawyers are the best in the country. | can get him out of this, Ava. | can make it all go away." She looked at him, suspicion and desperation warring within her. "Why? Why would you help him?" His eyes were full of a painful sincerity she had never seen before. "Because you love him," he said simply. "And because... | owe you. For everything." He took a deep breath. "But | have one condition." Ava braced herself. "The baby," he said, his voice tight. "You can't have it. It's too complicated. A scandal like this, a baby out of wedlock... it will ruin him, and it will ruin you. Get an abortion. I'll pay for the ---- best doctors, a private clinic, whatever you need. We can say you were never pregnant. We can start over. All of us." The audacity of his proposal was so stunning, so monstrously selfish, that Ava was speechless. He was asking her to trade her child's life for his rival's freedom, all under the guise of helping her. "Get away from me," she said, her voice a low, dangerous growl. "Ava, be reasonable-" "Reasonable?" she shrieked, her voice echoing in the quiet street. "You want me to kill my child, our child," she corrected herself, looking him dead in the eye, "so you can what? Play the hero again? Fix my life for me? You are the most selfish, disgusting man | have ever met." He flinched as if she had struck him. "| don't need your help," she spat. "Liam doesn't need your help. We will handle this ourselves. Stay away from me. Stay away from our family." She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm. "Ava, you don't understand how serious this is!" "Let go of me, Noah!" Just then, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb. The back door opened, and Lia stepped out, her face a mask of cold ---- fury. "Get your hands off her," Lia commanded, her voice like ice. Noah immediately let go, taking a step back. Lia walked over to Ava, putting a protective arm around her. She glared at Noah with pure contempt. "| should have known you'd be here, slithering around like the snake you are." She turned to Ava, her expression softening. "We're going to fix this, Ava. | promise. We don't need him." She guided Ava toward the car, leaving Noah standing alone on the sidewalk once again 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.