---- Chapter 8 Liam took Ava back to her apartment. He didn't leave her at the door this time. He helped her inside, made her some tea, and sat with her until the shaking stopped. He didn't ask questions or offer platitudes. He just sat there, a quiet, solid presence in her chaotic world. She fell asleep on the couch, and when she woke up hours later, he was still there, asleep in the armchair across from her. A blanket had been draped over her. She watched him sleep for a moment. In the soft morning light, he looked younger, less like a powerful tech CEO and more like just a man. A kind man. It was a quality she hadn't realized she was starving for. The next few days were a blur of quiet healing. Liam checked in on her, bringing her food, making sure she was taking it easy. He talked to her about her game, about coding, about art. He never once mentioned Noah. But Noah wasn't finished with her yet. A week after the rooftop party, Ava came home to find her apartment door unlocked. Her heart pounded in her chest. She pushed the door open cautiously. The scene inside was one of utter chaos. Cushions were thrown on the floor, drawers were pulled out, and in the middle ---- of it all was Noah, frantically searching for something. Scarlett was lounging on the couch, filing her nails, looking bored. "What are you doing in my apartment?" Ava demanded, her voice shaking with anger. Noah looked up, his eyes wild. "Where is it, Ava? My grandfather's watch. | think | left it here last week. | can't find it" "The watch he gave you for graduation?" Ava asked. That watch was Noah's most prized possession "Yes, that one! Scarlett wants to see it," he said impatiently, gesturing toward the couch. Scarlett didn't even look up. "| haven't seen it, Noah. You need to leave," Ava said, her voice gaining strength. "I'm not leaving until | find it," he snapped. "Help me look." He was talking to her like she was his servant. Scarlett finally spoke, her voice a condescending drawl. "She probably pawned it, Noah. She looks desperate enough." The insult was so shocking, so cruel, that Ava was momentarily speechless. "Get out," Ava said, her voice low and dangerous. "Both of you. Get out now." Noah ignored her. "I'll make you a deal," he said, a strange ---- of it all was Noah, frantically searching for something. Scarlett was lounging on the couch, filing her nails, looking bored. "What are you doing in my apartment?" Ava demanded, her voice shaking with anger. Noah looked up, his eyes wild. "Where is it, Ava? My grandfather's watch. | think | left it here last week. | can't find it" "The watch he gave you for graduation?" Ava asked. That watch was Noah's most prized possession "Yes, that one! Scarlett wants to see it," he said impatiently, gesturing toward the couch. Scarlett didn't even look up. "| haven't seen it, Noah. You need to leave," Ava said, her voice gaining strength. "I'm not leaving until | find it," he snapped. "Help me look." He was talking to her like she was his servant. Scarlett finally spoke, her voice a condescending drawl. "She probably pawned it, Noah. She looks desperate enough." The insult was so shocking, so cruel, that Ava was momentarily speechless. "Get out," Ava said, her voice low and dangerous. "Both of you. Get out now." Noah ignored her. "I'll make you a deal," he said, a strange ---- glint in his eye. "Let's make a bet. Another one." Ava stared at him, incredulous. "A bet?" "Yes," Scarlett said, suddenly interested. She stood up and walked over to stand beside Noah. "A fun little bet. | bet you that Noah's love for me is stronger than his... whatever he feels for you. And the stake?" She smiled a venomous smile. "Is the watch." Noah looked at Scarlett, then back at Ava. He seemed to be enjoying this, the drama, the power. "So, Ava? What do you think? Did you take the watch? Or do you think I'd really give up my grandfather's watch for Scarlett?" It was a trap. A twisted loyalty test designed to humiliate her one last time. He was asking her to choose between accusing herself of being a thief or admitting that he valued Scarlett more than his family heirloom. She felt the world tilt on its axis. This was the man she had loved, the man she had sacrificed her career for. He was standing in her trashed apartment with another woman, asking her to participate in a game that had no winning move for her. "Noah," she said, her voice barely a whisper, "do you really love her that much? More than the watch?" She was giving him an out. A chance to say no, to call off this sick game, to choose her, just once. ---- He looked at Scarlett, who was watching him with a possessive gleam in her eyes. Then he looked back at Ava, his face unreadable. He took a deep breath. "Yes," he said, his voice clear and steady. "| do. The word echoed in the silent, messy room. It was the final nail in the coffin of their relationship. He had not only chosen another woman over her, but he had also chosen her over his most cherished possession, all for the sake of a cruel game. Ava felt something inside her break. Not a loud shatter, but a quiet, final snap. The part of her that had always hoped, always forgiven, simply died. She looked at him, her eyes suddenly clear and cold. The pain was gone, replaced by a vast, empty calm. "Then | guess you'd better start looking for it somewhere else," she said, her voice devoid of all emotion. "Because it's not here. And even if it was, | wouldn't give it to you." She walked over to the door and held it open. "Get out of my house." 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.