Chapter 228 Confrontation


    Rufus'' POV:


    My father''s expression darkened and he cast a sidelong nce at Maya. Finally, he turned and


    snorted at Richard. "Take care of your own mate. Quit making a fool of yourself."


    I heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, my father didn''t me Maya.


    Richard''s face instantly fell. He retorted, "Those are all rumors. They''re not true at all!"


    My father didn''t want to listen to his excuses. He wavedhis hand dismissively." You canleave now."


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    He was always a man who had the final say. Richard had no choice but to leave with his attendants.


    "If there''s nothing else, I''ll go to Mother''s ce first." I turned to leave after saying goodbye to my


    father.


    But he stopped me. He leaned towards me and whispered in my ear in a voice so low that only the


    two of us could hear. "Don''t forget our agreement. If Sylvia''s identity as a traitor''s daughter can''t be


    redeemed, no matter how many achievements she attains, she will always be a ve."


    I didn''t say anything. I simply nodded to him then left with Maya.


    As soon as I arrived at the gate of the queen''s residence, I heard peals ofughter from inside.


    The guard at the gate saw me approach and showed a look of surprise. He immediately rushed


    inside to announce my visit.


    I didn''t wait for the guard toe back and invite me in. Instead, I entered the pce and went


    straight to the hall.


    There, I found Alina and my mother chattering about. My mother looked amused.


    "Rufus, what brings you here?" When she saw me, my mother stood up in surprise and walked over


    to receive me. "You rarely visit me. Aren''t you busy with work?"


    "Not right now. I came to see how you''re doing." We walked to the sofa and sat down. An attendant


    handed me a cup of coffee, which I epted gratefully.


    "Nothing''s changed. I''m still the same as before. But thanks to Alina, I feel much better these days."


    She winked at Alina and pushed her towards me. "You two should talk!"


    Alina stood in front of me obediently and smiled at me softly.


    "Long time no see, Prince Rufus," she said meekly.


    I ignored her and continued to sip from my coffee.


    Embarrassed, Alina smiled awkwardly then nced at my mother for help.


    "You two should spend more time with each other, or else you''ll never get to know each other on a


    deeper level." My mother tried to smooth things over for Alina. She smoothed the creases on Alina''s


    clothes as though she was her mother. "You don''t have to visit me so often. Go see Rufus whenever


    you have time."


    Alina lowered her head shyly. "I''m worried I''ll disturb him at work."


    "You''re so considerate and honest," my mother praised approvingly. "You can have dinner with him


    sometime. He''s always so busy that he often forgets to eat. You have to watch over him for me."


    "I wonder if Prince Rufus would be open to that idea..." Alina parted her mouth slightly and looked at


    me hesitantly. Her tentative and cautious tone was very convincing. She was such a great actress.


    "Of course he would. Who could refuse such a good girl like you?" My mother didn''t even bother to


    consult me and made the decision for me.


    I couldn''t help but sneer. "She drugged two students from the military school with an aphrodisiac,


    took a video, spread fake news on the forum, and caused cyber and physical bullying. Is this what a


    good girl would do?"


    A trace of panic shed in Alina''s eyes but she quickly recovered. "Prince Rufus, I don''t know what


    you''re talking about."


    "I traced the IP address through the post on the forum. Guess what I found?" I asked slowly. Alina''s


    panic was obvious now.


    She didn''t dare to say anything. She simply sat down next to my mother, her face as pale as a


    ghost.


    "I traced the IP address to your maid''s phone. What a coincidence, am I right?" I sneered


    indifferently.


    "How can that be..." Alina waspletely flustered, her lips trembling, unable to finish her


    sentence.


    My mother, on the other hand, was pissed. "What the hell is going on? Exin to me right this


    instant!"


    Tears started to stream down Alina''s face. "Coco was the one who did it. I... I have nothing to do


    with it!"