Chapter 63
The place burst into chatters.
Kurt’s words slammed into everyone like a shockwave, blowing up the Valor family’s collective mind.
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Banning the Valor family’s direct descendants–three whole generations–from ever setting foot in Regalhold Academy? That was way tougher than jail time.
Kurt looked like he’d gone off the deep end.
But before the Valor family could even process it, Kurt dropped another bombshell, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife.
“Miss Valor,” he said, “my granddaughter was out of line today–blind and dumb enough to cross you. I hope you can let it go.”
He even sounded like he was begging a little. “If you’re cool with letting it slide, I promise she’ll stick by your side at the Academy from now on!”
When Kurt wrapped up, the Valor family just stood there, stunned silent.
They couldn’t believe what they were hearing.
Kurt was seriously handing over his prized granddaughter to be Raven’s right–hand girl.
And check this–he wasn’t even at the Valor family banquet for Owen. Nope, he’d shown up to say sorry to Raven.
This was flat–out nuts.
The plot twists were so crazy nobody cared about the food anymore–this beat any TV show hands down.
Raven took in Kurt’s desperate plea with a calm, laid–back look.
Then she said, “Just don’t let it happen again.”
Just a few words, and Kurt let out a massive sigh, like he’d dodged a bullet.
He bowed deep. “Thank you, Miss Valor, for being so big about this.“.
After that, he glanced at the Valor family crowd, then turned back to Raven with a question.
“So,” he said, “what’s your plan for these guys?”
Before Raven could answer, a guy in his mid–twenties stepped up, all sharp jawline and grit.
“Sir,” he called Kurt out, “you’re military too, right? How about cutting me a break? Let’s call it square–my dad won’t go after Raven, and you don’t pull Owen’s Academy spot. Sound good?”
Kurt checked the badge on the guy’s shoulder, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
“A major,” he mumbled.
It clicked—Kurt had heard whispers about some 24–year–old Valor kid hitting major.
He hadn’t believed it back then, but here was the guy, standing right there.
A major at twenty–four? With some luck and a big score later, this kid could shoot up to colonel–maybe even general.
Someone like that? Kurt had to play it smart.
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Chapter 63
Franklin saw Kurt waver and felt a rush of relief.
He had no idea how Raven had hooked Kurt into bowing and scraping like this.
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But he was damn sure that as long as Caleb was in the military, Raven’s smooth moves–however slick–couldn’t let Kurt shove the Valor family around too much.
After all, a nobody like her up against a future general? No contest.
But before Kurt could make up his mind, a loud, cheerful voice rang out across the room.
“The Valor family banquet hasn’t even kicked off yet–why’s it already jumping?” some on mocked.
Every head in the hall swung toward the sound.
Then they all froze, mouths hanging open.
“General Yardley?” they blurted.
Franklin’s face lit up like he’d hit the jackpot.
He bolted over to Jonah with a huge grin, acting like the guy was his ticket out.
“General Yardley!” he said. “How’s your father holding up these days?”
The luckiest thing Franklin ever stumbled into was hitting it off with Jonah Yardley’s old man over chess.
The closest he’d gotten to Regalhold’s big shots was two years ago, at old Mr. Yardley’s banquet.
That connection got him a few run–ins with Jonah,
A few–not exactly friends, but Franklin was dead certain Jonah showing up today would have the Valor family’s back. Kurt wouldn’t dare mess with them now.
Jonah gave Franklin a quick nod. “He’s fine. Thanks.”
Franklin figured a rising star like Jonah, a young brigadier general, didn’t have time for small–timers, so he shrugged off the short answer.
Then he saw Jonah heading for Raven, and an idea clicked.
“Sir,” he jumped in, “General Yardley’s here now. Raven’s got five years of dirt on her record–someone like that shouldn’t be anywhere near a general. Grab her and get out, quick!”
But right as Franklin finished yapping, Jonah stopped a few feet from Raven.
But right as Franklin finished yapping, Jonah stopped a few feet from Raven.
Then, with a sharp salute and a dead–serious face, he said, “Lieutenant General Valor, all soldiers assigned to Regalhold Academy under Caleb’s
