---- Chapter 17 Hardin POV: | walked out of her room on unsteady legs, my vision tunneled, my entire being focused on a singular, destructive purpose. | saw Carina in the living room, a hopeful smile on her face. | didn't say a word. | just threw the recorder at her. "Listen to it," | commanded, my voice a low, dangerous growl. She fumbled with the small device, her smile faltering. Her thumb accidentally hit the play button. Her own venomous voice filled the silent room. "...that was my idea... finish the job." The color drained from her face. She looked up at me, her eyes wide with panic. "Hardin, |... | can explain. | only did it because | love you!" "Love?" | spat the word like poison. "You don't know the meaning of the word. You are the most vile, manipulative creature | have ever had the misfortune of knowing." "And you're any better?" she shrieked, her fear morphing into a defensive fury. "You're the one who ordered them to drain her of blood! You're the one who stood by and watched while | burned her!" ---- My body froze. Her words were a physical blow, knocking the wind out of me. It was true. A wave of self-loathing so intense it was nauseating washed over me. "Get her out of my sight," | snarled at the guards standing by the door. "Take her to the cellar. And lock the door." She struggled, kicking and screaming as they dragged her away. "You can't do this to me, Hardin! I'm the one you love!" | followed them down the cold stone steps into the darkness. They tied her to a chair, the rough rope biting into the soft skin of her wrists. | walked towards her, my shadow looming over her. | watched her struggle, a cold, detached part of my mind noting the way her pampered skin was already turning red and raw. | reached out and wrapped my hand around her neck. Her eyes widened in terror as | squeezed, the cartilage of her windpipe grinding beneath my fingers. She stared up at me, her face contorted in a mask of fear and disbelief. She was suffocating, her struggles growing weaker by the second. Just as the light began to fade from her eyes, | released her. She collapsed forward, gasping and choking. "You should have let them finish the job," | said, my voice a chillingly calm whisper. "Then at least you would have accomplished something." ---- | turned to one of the guards. "Find me a whip." The sound of the leather cracking against her skin was punctuated by her screams. She begged, she pleaded, she sobbed, but | felt nothing. No pity. No remorse. Just a cold, empty void where my soul used to be. My phone rang, slicing through the chorus of her agony. It was Arthur. "Sir," he said, his voice tight with panic. "There's a problem at the company. A big one." | glanced at Carina's bloody, broken form. "Keep her here," | instructed the guards. "Give her food and water, but don't untie her." | turned and walked out of the cellar, the sound of her weeping a distant, meaningless echo. | wiped the specks of her blood from my hands, changed into a clean suit, and drove to the office, my mind a maelstrom of regret and murderous rage. 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.