Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates novel Chapter 449

Chapter 449: 449-The Culprit In My Feet

Helanie:

"I can’t believe our trainer’s mother is so evil," Salem whispered in my ear as she sat with me on the chair. The trainers and their parents had stepped out to have a conversation. Only Charlotte was left behind with my group of friends. She looked like she was now getting bored since no one was entertaining her. I had never known she would grow up to be so evil. He was a spitting image of her mother. People who benefit from people and find pleasure in other’s misery. My mother had acted weird throughout the time. She barely raised her eyes, almost like she wasn’t even breathing.

"So, you’re all students of Vortex?" Charlotte asked after finally putting her phone down in her lap.

Penn hadn’t been able to raise his head while leaning back against the wall.

"Yeah, that’s all you have to say? I thought you’d at least have the decency to say a word or two of comfort to your cousin," Salem taunted, crossing one leg over the other.

"I’m sorry that happened to you," Charlotte said to me, her eyes empty of any sympathy.

"Now, can you please leave? You see, it’s just us friends left." Well, of course, it’s Salem. She hasn’t changed much, but now she was directing her mean energy toward the people who actually deserved it.

"Maybe you should watch yourself. You’re standing in my mansion," Charlotte hissed at Salem, who scoffed, making Charlotte clench her jaw.

"Can somebody please make her go away?" Penn finally snapped, making Charlotte shoot a harsh glare at everyone before stomping out of the living room.

Now that it was just my friends, Penn started pacing around. "None of you thought I should know?" he yelled, making Lamar look away.

"At least you should have told me, Lamar. I would have done something about it. If not now, back when Rayden was hurting her. You guys hid so much from me." He was yelling at the others, but when he turned to me, he looked defeated and sniffled. "I’m so sorry—I had no clue—Goddess! You went through so much, and you didn’t tell anyone. How did you keep going with so much pain in your heart?" he asked, barely making eye contact with me. I didn’t even know why he felt so guilty—he hadn’t done anything wrong.

"Helanie! I believe you. I believe every single person you’re pointing at is guilty. We’ll get the truth out," he said, walking over and kneeling in front of me, holding my hands.

"You don’t need proof?" I asked.

"No! We know you. It’s one thing for someone who’s always lied and gotten people in trouble to make such claims. Even then, a proper investigation is what Alphas should do. But in your case, sadly, I know everything you said is true," he said again, his eyes full of tears as the brothers walked in.

They were talking to each other when they suddenly stopped and watched my interaction with Penn.

"Penn! We’d like to speak with her," Emmet cleared his throat, gesturing for Penn to step aside. One by one, my friends started leaving the living room. But I caught Emmet sizing Penn up as he walked away.

"It’s always the thirsty ones who jump in to look good," Maximus commented, making me roll my eyes.

Penn wasn’t doing it to get in my good books—he was already in them.

"They’ve called Romeo in. Do you want to face him?" Norman asked, watching me give him a nod.

"Bring him in," Norman said to Kaye, who walked out without looking my way.