---- Chapter 4 The laughter from the private room washed over Ava, but it felt distant, like it was happening to someone else. She saw Noah take a long drink from the champagne bottle, his eyes locking with Scarlett' s in a moment of shared amusement. He was the king of his world, and she was just a court jester. His friends were still chuckling, making comments. "Man, you've got her trained well, Noah." "| wish my girlfriend was that... accommodating." The word "accommodating" hung in the air. That' s what she was. Not loved, not respected, just accommodating. She should have turned around, left him there to find his own way home. She should have gone back to the awards ceremony to claim the trophy she had earned. But three years of ingrained behavior were a powerful force. The thought of his anger, of the fight that would follow if she disobeyed, was more terrifying than the public humiliation. Her body moved on autopilot. She pushed the door open fully. The laughter died down as all eyes turned to her. Noah' s smile faltered for a second, a brief flash of annoyance that she had overheard him. But it was quickly replaced by his usual arrogance. ---- "Ava. Finally," he said, as if she were a tardy chauffeur. "Took you long enough. We're ready to go." He made no move to get up. He just gestured vaguely with the bottle. "Pay the bill for us, will you? | can't find my wallet." Ava walked to the bar, her movements stiff and robotic. She paid the exorbitant bill for their private room and expensive drinks without a word. Her hands were shaking as she signed the receipt. As she turned back, her path was blocked by Liam. He had been at a table in the corner, a silent observer to the whole ugly scene. He must have followed her from the awards ceremony. Their eyes met, and for the first time all night, she saw not pity, but a deep, quiet anger on her behalf. "Let me give you a ride," he said, his voice low and steady. Before Ava could respond, Noah stumbled over. "What's going on here? Liam. | should have known you'd be skulking around." He draped a heavy arm over Ava's shoulders, pulling her against him possessively. "She's with me. Back off." Liam didn't look at Noah. His eyes were still on Ava. "Are you okay?" he asked her directly, ignoring Noah completely. The simple question, the genuine concern in his voice, was almost enough to make her break. But Noah's arm was a dead weight on her shoulders, a physical reminder of her place. ---- "I'm fine," she mumbled, looking down at the floor. "| have to take him home." Liam' s jaw tightened. He could see there was no getting through to her, not now. He gave a slight nod. "Congratulations on the award, Ava. You deserved it." He walked away, leaving Ava alone with Noah and a very drunk Scarlett. The ride home was a nightmare. Noah sat in the passenger seat, complaining about the traffic, about her driving, about the fact that she had taken so long to get there. Scarlett was in the back, humming to herself, occasionally making a flirty comment to Noah. Ava drove in silence, her hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles were white. The award trophy that should have been on the seat next to her was instead an empty space, a void representing everything she had just given up. She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, a cramping sensation she' d been ignoring for the past hour. The stress, the allergy from the shrimp she' d eaten days before, the emotional turmoil-it was all catching up with her. The pain intensified, a sharp, stabbing feeling that made her gasp. "What's wrong with you now?" Noah asked, annoyed by the sound. "Nothing," she said through clenched teeth. "I'm fine." But she wasn't. The pain was getting worse, and she felt a cold sweat ---- break out on her forehead. 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.