Gabriel returned home after finishing his day's tasks. To his surprise, Amelie and Noah were already sleeping peacefully. Careful not to disturb them, he quietly went to freshen up.

Once finished, he headed downstairs, where Albus was waiting. A servant had already set out a glass of water, which Gabriel took from the tray as he sat down.

"How long have they been asleep?" he inquired.

"Only about fifteen minutes, sir," Albus replied. "You returned home earlier than usual today."

"Yes, I managed to finish my work ahead of schedule," Gabriel replied. "Where's Zilia? Is she resting too?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Albus replied. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Just then, the front doors opened, and Karmen entered the room, flanked by the Chairman of the Wellington Group and his sons. Albus, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere, stepped back from the seating area to give the unexpected visitors space.

"Prince Gabriel," Patrick Wellington began, his voice stiff. "I received word from your Beta that a woman has made claims regarding my second son."

Gabriel didn't stand, but his gaze sharpened into a cold glare. "It seems you don't trust the results of my Beta's investigation."

"Forgive me, that was not my intent," Patrick said, lowering his head. Despite his words, he proceeded to step forward and settled onto the couch uninvited. "Your Highness, I suspect the woman is lying. My son would never be capable of such a thing." He glanced at Elias, who quickly nodded in agreement with his father's assertion.

"Perhaps you are the one in need of a reality check," Gabriel countered. "Shall I make him confess my way?"

Elias visibly gulped, well aware of Gabriel's reputation and exactly how terrifying he could be.

"By all means," Patrick replied, his tone dripping with dismissive arrogance; he was clearly still clinging to the belief that his family's status would shield them from the Alpha's justice.

"Elias Wellington," Gabriel continued, his voice dropping to a low, lethal hum that seemed to vibrate through the entire room. "You know exactly what I do to those who abandon their responsibilities. You have committed a grave offense against your own flesh and blood. Your mate was an Omega, was she not? Think very carefully before you answer me. Once the DNA results are confirmed, your father won't just be disappointed—he will disown you for the deceit you've brought upon his house."

The threat hung in the air like a death sentence. Elias began to shake violently, his facade crumbling under Gabriel's piercing, violet-hued stare.

Jeffrey glanced at his brother, his expression shifting from defensive to wary. "You didn't do anything wrong, did you, Elias?" he asked, desperate for a denial.

Elias's chest heaved as the truth became impossible to carry. "I... I didn't want to do it," he stammered, the confession finally escaping him.

Patrick's eyes widened, his composure finally shattering at the confession. "What did you say?" he demanded, his voice rising in panic.

"I told you, Patrick; my investigations never miss the mark," Gabriel said. He leaned forward, a dark, predatory grin spreading across his face. "Now, what do you think the punishment should be? He refused to accept Nayra and their daughter simply because he had grown bored. You know exactly how much I despise such cowardice."

"Your Highness, I... I will make it right. I will meet this woman and her daughter myself," Patrick stammered, his posture deflating as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Please, forgive my son. I will take full responsibility for their care."

Jeffrey looked at his younger brother, shaking his head in profound disappointment.

Gabriel arched a mocking eyebrow, his gaze searing. "Why would you take the responsibility, Patrick, when it is your son who committed the betrayal? Do you honestly think your checkbook can balance this?"

Patrick lowered his head, unable to meet Gabriel's gaze.

"This occurred within my jurisdiction, and the judgment rests with me," Gabriel declared, his voice cold and final. "Your son will forfeit fifty percent of his assets to the woman he impregnated. Furthermore, he is to provide full financial support for their daughter until she is fully independent. Beyond that, Elias is forbidden from taking another mate. If he attempts to marry anyone else, I will see him behind bars."

"What? No! I'm already engaged!" Elias gasped, his face draining of color.

"Break it off," Gabriel retorted, his eyes hardening, "or I will ensure your face is plastered on the front page of every national newspaper and news channel by tomorrow morning."

"Your Highness, he is only twenty! You will ruin his entire future!" Patrick pleaded.

Gabriel's eyes flashed with righteous fury. "And what of her life? She is barely twenty. Did your son not ruin hers? She was forced to work part-time, study, and raise a child alone because of his abandonment. Do not stand there and preach to me about whose life is being ruined."

Jeffrey looked at his brother with a mixture of disgust and pity. "Prince Gabriel is right," he muttered, shaking his head. "Elias has destroyed two lives. What if he marries Nayra to set things right?"

"Nayra has refused," Gabriel stated. "She has no desire to return to a man who abandoned her and their child for almost two years."

"Elias abandoned them when Nayra was only eighteen and a half years old," Karmen affirmed, his tone icy.

"We will talk to her," Patrick insisted, clearly grasping at straws. "If we can convince her, perhaps things can be mended..."

"What guarantee is there that your son won't hurt Nayra or the girl?" Gabriel cut him off, deep anger etching on his face.

"I don't trust him in the slightest, and I am certain the young woman feels the same. If Elias had a shred of love for his own flesh and blood, he would have provided support rather than pursuing an engagement with someone else. He played with two lives and deceived everyone around him. The punishment I have declared stands. It is final."

Patrick clenched his fists and glared at his son for cutting his nose like this.