Chapter 78:Desperate Claims and Deadly Confrontations

(Scarlett's POV) Claire was pacing again. Her steps were small but restless, and the soft scratching of her shoes on the tiled floor was getting on my nerves. She clutched a notebook to her chest like it was a shield, her teeth worrying at her lip as she glanced nervously at the door. I set my pen down with a deliberate motion to get her attention. "Claire," I said, keeping my tone sharp, "if you have something to say, just say it. Otherwise, stop pacing." She froze mid-step, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I—uh... Scarlett, it's about Alexander." Her voice wavered, uncertain. I arched an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. "What about him?" Claire hesitated, clearly struggling with her words. Finally, she blurted it out, her eyes wide with concern. "He looked... awful earlier. I mean, his face—those bruises. Was that... you?" For a moment, I just stared at her. Then, a short, dry laugh escaped my lips. "Do you think I have time to go around punching people in the face, Clai