The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation Novel

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I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF TO YOU NARRATOR "Duchess, what a shame.

Deborah, why did you mention the pendant?" Katherine watched as Brenda feigned surprise, even embarrassment.

This had been her plan from the very start.

Her sister must be rolling in her grave because right now, Katherine was cursing her in every possible way.

How could a woman stoop so low for aman? "Duchess, Im so sorry, I only mentioned the pendant to my friend because, well, you...

you believed it was a gift from the Duke for your anniversary, and, well, it turned out it wasnt..." the shameless woman said with a guilty smile.

"He had it made for someone else." There was no need to specify who that someone was; it was obvious.

The woman wearing the real one around her neck was not the rightful wife.

"Tt seems she liked it so much she had a fake one made.

I imagine that with the nobles pension the Duke gives her, she wouldnt be able to afford something that valuable," one of the women behind Brenda murmured maliciously.

Katherine clenched her fists against her skirt, reminding herself not to fall into Brendas game, but as the woman revealed more and more of Rossellas stupidity in front of everyone, her face burned with humiliation.

"This is just a simple piece I found at the market.

I wanted to support local vendors as their Duchess.

It matched my dress, so I put it onit was purely a coincidence," Katherine said, blurting out the first nonsense that cametn mind ---- Obviously, no one believed her.

The smug, mocking, even pitying gazes bore down on her.

She had no choice but to carry the weight of Rossellas sins and foolishness.

"Oh, then" "Then nothing, Zafiro," Katherine cut her off coldly, knowing exactly where this was headedmore humiliations.

This circus act ended here.

"T dont have to explain myself to anyone, whether I wear a simple jewel or drape myself in diamonds.

Thats what being a Duchess means, ladies whatever I wear, I make it look good," she added confidently, lifting her chin with haughty elegance.

"And if you ll excuse me, Ill step outside for some fresh air, as the atmosphere here is a little...

toxic.

Have a good night, Baroness Hildaly.

Thank you for the company." "Wait, Duchess..." the older woman called out with worried eyes, but Katherine didnt stop.

She strode out of the grand hall, filled with gossiping women, disgusted by their falseness.

She wandered aimlessly through the corridors until she reached a secluded terrace of the vast mansion.

Lowering her hand, she gripped the fake necklace and ripped it off in anger, not caring about the red mark it left on her skin or the burning pain that followed.

She shoved the worthless pendant into a hidden pocket beneath the