Chapter 1482:

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A man in a gray suit stepped forward — Franco Lambert, the deputy mayor in charge of finance and Paxton’s equal in rank. “Mr. Spencer is a government official. Even if there are allegations against him, proper procedure requires a formal investigation. Arresting him here risks unnecessary controversy.” He paused, then turned his gaze pointedly toward Prudencia. “And Miss Knight assaulted someone in public. Should that not be addressed as well? Otherwise, how will you convince the people you govern with fairness?”

Prudencia’s patience snapped. She stepped forward and fixed Franco with a burning stare. “Oh, please. Where were you when Stetson and his daughter came after me? You stood there without a word. Now suddenly you want to play judge? Did they pay you to take their side?” Her voice didn’t waver. “My brother doesn’t need your advice. Step aside — you’re an eyesore.”

“You insolent brat!” Franco’s face darkened with fury. He turned and barked at his guards, “Seize her!”

His men surged forward — but before any of them could reach Prudencia, there was a heavy thud. One of the guards hit the floor. Nichol had taken him down without apparent effort. “Show some respect,” he said quietly.

Franco’s eyes blazed. “Who do you think you are to interfere in official business?”

“Who I am doesn’t concern you.” Nichol stepped in front of Prudencia and gently drew her behind him.

At that moment, a team of men in black suits moved swiftly into the hall. Each wore a distinctive badge, and they bowed in unison before Nichol. “Mr. Williamson, are you alright?”

“Mr. Williamson?” The name rippled through the crowd in stunned echoes.

𝖬𝘰𝘴t r𝖾𝘢𝗱 𝗍𝗁i𝗌 𝗐𝗲е𝘬 оո gа𝗅𝗻𝘰𝘃е𝗅𝗌.𝘤𝘰𝗆

The words hit the room like a thunderclap. The name Williamson paired with that badge could mean only one thing — the man standing there was the President’s only son.

Franco’s face drained of all color. His legs gave out beneath him and he collapsed where he stood, the full weight of his error crashing down on him. He had mocked and threatened the President’s heir.

Across the room, Hazel’s eyes rolled back and she fainted outright.

Nichol ignored the chaos entirely. He looked down at Prudencia with a quiet smile. “It’s alright. I’ve got you.” Then he turned to the guards. “Take Franco as well. Investigate his connections to the Spencers thoroughly.”

Within minutes, Franco, Stetson, and the unconscious Hazel were escorted out of the hall. Only the hum of stunned whispers remained.

Paxton exchanged a brief, wordless look with Nichol before gently steering Prudencia toward the exit.

By the time they reached the Knights’ estate, Prudencia could no longer contain herself. She grabbed Paxton by the arm and pulled him straight toward the study, her questions already tumbling over one another before they had even sat down.

Prudencia planted her feet and fixed Paxton with a withering look, hands on her hips. “Seriously, Paxton — since when are you the mayor? What exactly have you been hiding all these years?”

Paxton let out a weary sigh and dropped onto the sofa. “Honestly, when we were still children, Mom and Dad had me training under the President. I’ve spent all this time traveling and carrying out assignments for him. Remember when you and Nichol got into trouble the other night? I was the one who got the call and sent help.”

Prudencia stood there struggling to absorb it. That explained how Paxton had appeared out of nowhere that night.

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