Chapter 1247

Harlan’s fingers, each joint etched in clear relief, clenched in a gradual grip. When he fixed his gaze on

Bruce, his dark eyes narrowed momentarily, evoking the aura of a fearsome lion.

Bruce let out a subdued laugh.

“Feeling a bit sympathetic, are you?”

Mavis felt a jolt of surprise. Had she heard right? Bruce was suggesting Harlan felt sorry for her. Could

that be true?

“Harlan, I swear I didn’t betray you. I’ve kept mum about whatever transpired inside Peninsula Villa,”

she asserted.

In desperation, she swung her gaze towards Bruce, pleading, “Bruce, back me up here. Vouch for me.”

This was her chance to demonstrate her innocence to Harlan.

Bruce, however, offered only a slight, icy smile, revealing no willingness to step in on her behalf.

He nonchalantly slid a hand into his trouser pocket, appearing more like a spectator than a participant.

Mavis found herself at a loss for words due to his demeanor.

Her patience was wearing thin. She felt an overwhelming desire to slap Bruce, who was acting as

though the entire situation had nothing to do with him. After all, he was the root cause of it all.

If only he would speak up on her behalf, she could vindicate herself and resolve the misunderstanding

between her and Harlan.

But reality had a way of quashing her expectations, especially where Bruce was concerned.

“Why are you doing this, Bruce? What could I have possibly done to deserve such treatment? They say

chivalry still exists; why make Life so unbearable for me? Haven’t you done enough?” she charged.

She had endured too much at that base, which was Bruce’s domain, living every day mired in fear and

anguish.

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As Mavis kept talking, the weight of her emotions deepened. Once a privileged and well-cared-for

young woman, she had endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of Bruce in recent times.

While convalescing at the base, Bruce had been in a foul mood, bossing her around at his whim. Worst

of all, he’d assigned her the daily task of feeding his pet wolfhound-an intimidating beast that filled her

with dread each time she had to approach it with food.

“I didn’t betray you, Harlan. I swear I didn’t,” Mavis murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

Mavis had seen firsthand Harlan’s brutal streak. He would pull the trigger without a second’s pause,

offering her no quarter.

“Trying to play star-crossed lovers, are we?” Bruce mocked.

“Absolutely not!” Mavis retorted.

Harlan raised his hand, signaling for Mavis to hold her tongue.

“How are your wounded comrades faring? And what about your own injuries?” Harlan asked, a deep

smile spreading across his face.

Despite Harlan’s words hitting Bruce’s vulnerabilities with laser-Like precision, Bruce managed to

maintain a composed expression. He even laughed a little.