The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 449

“Miss Valor, you’ve got the wrong idea. I just think someone as exceptional as you might become a target for those with bad intentions. The Ortega family could be your support system, making sure no one gives you a hard time.”

Estella wore a warm, friendly smile, as if she hadn’t threatened Raven.

Saxon shot Estella a disgusted look, his brows furrowing deeply. “Star God Association members don’t need your so–called protection!”

Estella froze, her body stiffening as humiliation surged through her. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

As the darling daughter of the Ortega family, she had always been treated with respect by every faction. No one had ever humiliated her so openly.

But with Saxon’s status looming over her, she had no choice but to suppress her anger and force a smile.

She said, “Mr. Valor, you’re right. I was out of line. I didn’t realize Miss Valor was part of Star God Association.”

“General! General Hinton!” Just as Estella was about to say something more, shouts of alarm suddenly erupted from the Sunset Empire soldiers nearby.

Everyone immediately turned to look in Finnley’s direction.

His chest was drenched in blood, his eyes shut tight, his face pale as death, and his body completely still as if he was dead already.

“General Hinton!” One of the soldiers, trembling, reached out to check for signs of life. The moment he confirmed the truth, he stumbled backward and collapsed to the ground in panic. “He’s dead! General Hinton is dead!”

The crowd erupted into chaos.

Finnley had been deeply connected to the current Emperor.

If he had only been gravely injured, there might still have been room to salvage the situation.

But now that he was dead, the Sunset Empire’s royal family would undoubtedly come after Raven.

Sure, Star God Association was strong enough to hold its own against the Sunset Empire’s military, but a war would mean losses on both sides. For Saxon, such a conflict would be a costly mistake.

In the end, Saxon might prioritize his own interests and cast Raven out of Star God Association.

If that happened, Raven would be left isolated. She had made plenty of enemies with her arrogance, and without Star God Association’s protection, her future would be bleak.

The crowd exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.

“Acting all arrogant never ends well.”

“Yeah, it always comes back to bite you.”

“I’ll report this to the Emperor right away!”

Chapter 449 Unreliable Parents

Instinctively, he turned his head and saw Benedict looking up at him with his delicate, adorable face, giving him a barely noticeable shake of the head.

Saxon immediately caught on and quickly changed the subject. “Raven, since you came back, your memory hasn’t been affected, has it? Do you still remember me?”

Seeing the nervous look on his face, Raven found it amusing and deliberately replied, “Hmm, I don’t remember. Who are you again?”

Saxon’s face instantly fell, looking as if he’d just swallowed a bitter melon. “Raven,an’t mess with me like this! I’ve been through so much to find you!”

Watching Saxon’s intelligence seemingly take a nosedive, Benedict sighed softly, his tiny shoulders drooping in mock defeat.

If this continued, it was only a matter of time before something slipped.

So, he tugged on Raven’s sleeve again and asked in his soft, childlike voice, “Raven, is he really your brother?.”

“Raven, what’s the story with this kid?” Saxon, catching on to Benedict’s cue, quickly followed up with a question.

“He got separated from his family. I’m helping him find his parents,” Raven explained as she effortlessly picked up Benedict. With a sigh, she added, “This little guy’s so cute, but his parents? Ugh, talk about bad luck.”