---- Her tears stopped instantly as everyone in the hall turned their gaze to her. She bit her lip. "Ivy, if I show the proof, it'll end up hurting you! Even after all this, I still don't want to harm you!" I looked at Ashley. She never stopped her act, always playing the noble, kind, and beautiful victim. "] don't need your protection, Ashley. Show everyone the proof," I said. Ashley burst into even louder sobs. "You pushed me! Everyone saw it! Alpha Owen can testify! I'm telling the truth." She ran toward Owen, putting on her usual pitiful performance as she tried to manipulate the moment. "Owen, say something! Didn't she hurt me that day?" I stared at Owen. ---- He met my gaze and smiled at me. Then, he stood up and walked to my side. " Ashley's right, she did fall at the gathering, but she tripped on her own." Right on cue, the big screen lit up with surveillance footage from that night. The video clearly showed Ashley walking toward me. I didn't move, and she suddenly collapsed on the floor. As the truth sank in, everyone began whispering in disgust as they turned on her. Ashley covered her head and crouched on the floor. "No, that's not how it happened!" After that, Owen played another video. This time, it was the arsonist's confession. Init, the arsonist detailed everything Ashley had ordered them to do and the payment she had given them. ---- Alex, who had been so certain of Ashley's innocence, now stood frozen in disbelief beside me. He looked at me regretfully. "Ivy, I'm sorry. If I had known who she really was, I never would have made her my mate." I shook my head and smiled. "I don't need your apology anymore, Alex." There was a brief flicker in his eyes, but he didn't say another word as he moved to stand beside me. Ashley was pushed to her limit and went completely hysterical. She lunged toward me ina frenzy, but Owen yanked her back. She no longer looked like the pitiful, delicate she- wolf she always pretended to be. Instead, she looked deranged and terrifying. She shouted, "Ivy, I curse you to a horrible death! And you, Alex, didn't you say you'd always stay by ---- my side no matter what I did? What are you doing now?" Alex's eyes were filled with disgust as he looked at her. "You said you were innocent, and I believed you. I helped you escape and stood with you at the council to help you clear your name! But what did you do? Ashley, you're revolting!" Right in front of everyone, Alex demanded to break his mate bond with Ashley. With her cries of agony, their bond was broken. The pain sent Ashley into convulsions on the floor. She glared at me viciously the whole time. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she wanted to tear me apart. I didn't want to be part of this farce anymore, so I stood up and left. However, Owen suddenly dropped to his knees again.