Chapter 270: You Gave It to Him
But before he could continue, Grim’s voice cut through the chamber with sharp accusation.
"You gave it to him, didn’t you?"
The interruption sent shockwaves through the assembled council. All eyes turned to Grim, who had risen from his seat with obvious anger radiating from his posture.
"Lord Ambrose," Húwáng said carefully, "what are you suggesting?"
"I’m not suggesting anything," Grim replied, his gaze fixed on Elder Míngzhì with unwavering intensity.
"I’m stating fact. Elder Míngzhì didn’t have his book stolen. He gave it to Xùyán willingly."
"That’s a serious accusation," Elder Qīngfēng observed, though her tone suggested she found it believable.
"Is it?" Grim asked, his voice growing cold. "Elder Míngzhì has opposed me being here from the moment I arrived. He’s questioned my character, my methods, and my worthiness at every opportunity."
"Opposition to policy doesn’t constitute treason," Elder Zhìhuì pointed out, though his political instincts were clearly engaged by the unfolding drama.
"Doesn’t it?" Grim countered. "When that opposition leads to providing forbidden knowledge to someone desperate enough to use it against me?"
He stepped forward, his fox companion padding silently beside him as he approached the central table where the blood-stained book lay.
"Think about the timing," Grim continued.