Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 408

The moment Quentin spotted Harrison, he shrank back as if a mouse had just seen a cat.

He whispered urgently, “Clarissa! Clarissa! Get over here, quick.”

Clarissa was already at the door, ready to call for Quentin to follow her out, when she noticed Harrison standing right in front of Quentin.

Quentin shot her a series of frantic looks, eyebrows waggling, silently signaling that Harrison was looking for her.

With a resigned sigh, Clarissa pursed her lips and turned back.

Harrison loomed over them, cold and immovable as a refrigerator, his icy presence impossible to ignore. “Go up there. Apologize to Selene,” he ordered.

“Harrison, what are you…” Clarissa’s face drained of color, confusion written all over her features.

Hadn’t Harrison and Selene gotten divorced? Why was he suddenly taking Selene’s side?

“I’m your cousin, for crying out loud!” she protested, her voice rising in pitch.

Carmel, still lounging in her seat with her arms crossed, let out a scoff of contempt, raising her eyebrows at Adrian. “Looks like the ex-husband’s trying to play the hero. Aren’t you going to do anything?” she teased.

Adrian seemed unbothered, his gaze never leaving Selene. “This is Selene’s moment,” he replied quietly. “All I need to do is watch her take the stage, step by step.”

Carmel followed his line of sight, just in time to see Selene walk confidently onto the stage.

Surprise flickered across Carmel’s face; she couldn’t quite figure out what Selene was planning.

She heard Adrian murmur, “Harrison thinks he’s swooping in to save the day, but all he’s really doing is overshadowing Selene. This whole bet—it was between Selene, Daph, and Clarissa. What right does Harrison have to interfere in their battle?”

Altair sat between Adrian and Carmel, feet dangling just above the floor, hands folded neatly on his knees. His gaze was fixed on Selene, utterly focused and intent.

Selene, holding Daph’s hand, led her back up to the stage. She picked up the microphone, flicked on the switch, and her clear, steady voice rang out through the hall.

Daph would like a simple apology from you, Clarissa. And while we’re at it, I’d like to make sure that Penelope—like every other child here—can have a nutritious lunch and snacks.”

“Selene! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Clarissa shrieked, eyes bloodshot and wild.

As Selene took the stage and laid out the truth, Clarissa could feel that something very bad was about to happen—something that would not go in her favor.

Selene’s voice was steady as she addressed the crowd. “I came up here today to tell my daughter: sometimes, apologies from certain people mean absolutely nothing. Don’t wait for a bad person to say sorry. When you succeed, those who hurt you may offer apologies, but it’s only because they’re forced to bow to your strength. And then there are some who will never admit they’re wrong, no matter what.

Daph, I encouraged you to step into the spotlight so that you could expose the truth—to give you the chance to reveal, in front of everyone, exactly what she did wrong.”

Selene bent down, meeting her daughter’s eyes with unwavering seriousness, and handed Daph the microphone.

Clarissa looked as if she might explode.