Chapter 5894

“Lindsay! So you were hiding here after all!” Ignatius thundered. “And you two outsiders-how dare you trespass upon Earthfire Pavilion’s forbidden ground?”

Elliot stepped forward, thrusting an accusatory finger toward Jared. “Mr. Flameheart, I witnessed everything. Jared Chance and this demon slipped into the rear mountain under the cover of darkness. They dismantled the array using secret techniques, intending to steal the Earthfire Pavilion’s core secrets. Thankfully, I reported it at once. Had I not, the consequences would be unimaginable. Furthermore, I suspect these two are spies of Malevolent Path Hall, here to gather intelligence and pave the way for an ambush!”

Lindsay quivered from head to toe, her fingers curled so tight her knuckles blanched. “Lies! I was the one who showed them in! Jared was gravely wounded and needed someplace quiet to mend, so I—”

“Lindsay, stop making excuses for them!” Elliot interrupted, his voice cracking across the courtyard like a whip.

He stepped forward-tall, fiery-eyed, every line of his face carved with injured righteousness-then raised his voice so that every disciple ringing the stone plaza could hear. “I know you’re kind at heart, Lindsay. You mean well, but Jared Chance has blinded you. Think about it, will you? Why would a stranger convince you to risk breaking Earthfire Pavilion’s rule and smuggle him into the forbidden ground? Clearly, he has bewitched you with some form of black magic!”

“I-” The single syllable caught in Lindsay’s throat, too fragile to become a sentence.

Words failed. The young woman’s lips parted soundlessly before she looked away, lashes trembling.