Chase POV:
The room fell silent, their bowed heads a little lower this time, though I couldn't tell if it was out of fear or realization.
The five elders shifted uncomfortably, their gazes darting between each other as if silently voting on who was going to face her wrath first.
"Leila," I said calmly, stepping slightly in front of her. "Let me handle this."
"No," she snapped, her eyes blazing as they locked onto mine. "I want to know which one of these ancient fossils had the audacity to accuse my son."
A small part of me wanted to laugh. Leila wasn't just angry—she was terrifyingly impressive. I almost felt sorry for the elders. Almost.
"Answer her," I said, my voice dropping into a cold command as I turned back to the elders.
The one who seemed the least brave—or perhaps the most foolish—finally stammered out, "W-We acted on the information given to us! We didn't directly accuse—"
