Page 144 of The Echo of Forever

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “However, not without justification, chairman. And per the society code of honor, a kill by a high-ranking member is subject to post-approval if the reason is deemed justified.”

Interest flickered in the chairman’s eyes.

No matter what was said behind closed doors today, the vote was always going to be in my favor with the Fairchilds pulling strings. But announcing the truth about my memory loss and some of my history with Demetrius would certainly provoke some of the trustees to switch sides, and that’s what I was banking on.

“And you believe your reason is good enough to evoke a post-approval?” he asked.

“A year ago, I went on a job assigned to me by my father,” I started, gaze briefly drifting in his direction. “On that job, I was attacked and left for dead. My best friend, whom you all know as Carmen Samuels, used my society-issued beacon after I missed two check-ins and found me unconscious. Days later, I woke in my bed with no memory of what had happened to me.”

I paused, letting the silence eat away at the room for a little.

“Recently, I learned there were signs of a mild traumatic brain injury, and those five doctors were instructed to keep this information from me by my father.” I cut my eyes at him again, hoping he could see the smile shining in them as I told my perfectly crafted story, where the only lie was his involvement. “Where in the code of honor does he have the power to do that? Those doctors broke their oaths, and I helped clean up the mess. My calling card was left for a reason.”

The tension in the room thickened as every trustee absorbed my accusation. My father’s eyes could take a life if it werepossible; I knew him well enough to see the plot forming behind his eyes. He couldn’t refute my claims now that the hearing had convened; his chance ended the second I walked through the doors.

It wasn’t often, but today, society rules were working in my favor. Eliel had power, but not the kind I accused him of.

“There is no such code or rule that would give him the right to keep your health matters from you,” the chairman replied, his tone solemn. “Are you asking for this matter to be made official by the board, Mrs. Cannon?”

I nodded.

“Yes. I would also like to bring forth another matter before voting takes place.”

The chairman lifted an eyebrow but waved for me to continue.

“There’s a marriage alliance between my family and the Carroways that I would like officially nullified. Jayden Carroway has agreed and made himself available to attest to that, but my marriage license should be enough, which I can provide upon request.”

More murmurs broke out, louder this time. Marriage alliances between prominent families were sacred in our world. Breaking one without proper cause was nearly unheard of.

Thankfully, my situation was different.

“May I ask how long ago this marriage was solidified?” the chairman asked, his voice cutting through the chatter.

“One year and ten months,” I replied, the dates etched into my mind since learning them. “I don’t recall the first eleven months of our marriage. My husband spent our first anniversary alone, while I had no recollection of him. The next ten months from there were the same until he forced himself into my life again.”

The chairman’s expression shifted to exasperation, his pale face turning a deep shade of red. “How exactly did he force his way into your life?”

“By putting a hit out on himself,” I said, unable to keep the giddiness from my voice. “He gambled on me either recognizing his photo or taking the contract on myself out of intrigue. It worked, and I took the job.

“My husband…” I leaned forward again, voice softening with genuine emotion. “…he has this beautiful personality, and once you’re sucked in, there’s no turning back. I could tell he was yearning for something, especially during the Everwood Group’s annual charity gala. It was because of my closeness to Jayden Carroway that he went against his plans to slowly reveal the truth to me.”

I straightened and got back to business.

“I would like to add that marrying Jayden was never going to happen; he approached me prior to his family proposing the deal to mine and asked that I play along until he could convince his mother to end it. My name would help him garner goodwill within the society during that time, and I agreed because I was bored.”

The silence that followed was palpable. I’d just confessed to manipulating the institution they were here to protect because I was bored. But I knew these people and that my complete honesty was the only way to reel them in.

The chairman broke the silence by clearing his throat and asking, “Who approved the hit on his life?”

“Millicent Everwood,” I answered without pause. “It’s to my understanding that she sought my husband out to facilitate a hit on the life of Jeremiah Carroway, and he agreed.”

The chairman leaned forward, a frown deepening on his face.

“Did your husband kill Jeremiah Carroway?”

“Yes.”

Gasps echoed through the chamber. I maintained my calm demeanor, even as trustees began to shift uncomfortably in their seats.