Ethan ignored the tension, stepping closer. "I know what you're all thinking. That I'm the reason for what happened to Xandria. And you're right."
The room erupted.
"WHAT?" Julian sprang up, his usual calm demeanor shattered. "Are you kidding me right now?"
"Julian, stop!" I yelled, stepping between them, my heart pounding in my chest. But Julian wasn't listening, and neither was Dante, who had risen from his seat, his expression murderous.
Theo placed a steadying hand on Julian's shoulder, his calm voice cutting through the chaos. "Sit down, Julian. Let's hear him out."
Julian didn't move, his gaze locked on Ethan, who stood his ground without so much as a flicker of fear.
"Do you think this is a game, Ethan?" Marcus's voice, cold and calculated, cut through the charged atmosphere like a whip. "Throwing out something like that? You'd better explain yourself. Now."
