“She even wrote to her family saying she no longer had her purity because she was terrified they would try again. That is what the guards spoke about in Gregg Haddock’s interrogation video. It disgusts me that people run their mouths about hervirginity instead of the crimes perpetrated against her. Her own attorney—who was supposed to protect her—believing the rumors.
“Bevin Millen did not get caught in a compromising situation with Gregg Haddock andcry foul. No matter how we have stated that to certain parties, they just love their drama and lies. One of whom is Coach Dunham who has lost his position at Morrigan for spreading his lies and repeated attacks against Bevin.
“Both Bevin and Gregg were questioned under magic. It’sdone. Any more of these malicious lies and we will be taking legal action because it has spiraled out of control. Bevin thought people would get bored and to leave it alone so she could focus on her schooling, but unfortunately people are too petty and enjoy tearing others down.”
“Does she have her purity then? Prove she has it,” someone yelled out.
Jasmine’s gaze narrowed on someone. “You’re a sick bastard to take all of that and your first inclination is to demand to know the sexual situation of ateenager. I don’t care she’s legal, she’s ateenager, and her sexual anything shouldneverbe on your damn mind, pervert.”
“It’s not that simple and you know it,” he snapped.
“No, it is,” Clare snapped and moved up to the microphone. “We are not broodmares. We are not ‘damaged goods’ if we’ve had the same sex you men brag about. I have no idea if Bevin’s had sex.” She growled when people whispered. “Who cares?I don’t care. I didn’t ask. It’s not mybusinessand I’m her sister. It’s really not your business.”
Jasmine cleared her throat and pushed Clare back a bit. “Our position is none of your business. It’s disgusting so many of you are here to try and get that answer so you can go report whether she’s eligible for certain top-tier family matingsor just to be disgusting. We are explaining the events that have occurred and are well-documented.”
And then she just smirked. She took a full minute to smirk at a lot of the people there.
“She’s setting them up,” Carmen chuckled quietly.
“It would just be nicer if this wasn’t an issue and people shut the fuck up,” I grumbled.
“Yeah, it would be, but at least now there’s a plan to fight back and punish them.”
“Let me be clear that both the test and healer’s report came back with the same conclusion that nothing sexual happened to my client that night,” Jasmine continued. “Professor Wyatt was questioned under magic by the council before Gregg Haddock was sentenced. He did nothing but help my client. These rumors have affected his career as well.
“And we’re done leaving that be, especially when we know the main source is fanning the flames of them with an agenda. It stops, Neal Wyatt.” She chuckled when people gasped. “Yes, I’m naming him because I haveproofof my words while he speaks lies to try and pressure his younger brother to come back to the Wyatt family and bring Bevin with him.
“It’s a stupid plan because he has no knowledge of the situation but understands people in this society don’t check facts or ask the questions they should. Like if anyonebenefitsfrom all of this?”
“Glad to hear you’re back on the market, Shaw,” a guy said loudly so I missed the rest of what Jasmine was saying. “Now that we know you didn’t lose your purity to Haddock. I mean, there were a lot of us pissed he was getting you after we all saw your mating profiles.”
I turned and swallowed a shudder as he eyed me over in a way that made me feel it—feel violated more than Conrad had made me feel putting his hands on me.
“You’re disgusting,” Carmen growled.
“Shut up, witch. Learn your place. Speak when spoken to if you’re not even from the right family.”
That was thewrongthing to say. I might not have stood up for myself, but picking on those supporting me?
Yeah, wrong move.
I angled my head and studied him back. “I heard there was some inbreeding in your family, but I don’t really listen to rumors. Now I might when it comes to your family.”
Several people behind him chuckled and his face burned red with anger.
“You have a lot of fucking nerve saying that when I was paying you a compliment,” he snarled.
“You need to reassess your idea of a fucking compliment,” Winter drawled as he grabbed the guy’s shoulder and yanked him back. “That was gross and—”
“Shut up, orphan. No one values your opinion,” he stupidly snapped. People who had been standing with him collectively took a step back when they glanced at what was on Winter’s face.
“Oh, one person here values it, and it gives meallthe right to turn you into a pretzel if you ever speak like that to Bevin again. If you hadn’t opened your loud mouth, you would have heard the rest of the press conference,” Winter told him, before shoving him towards his friends.
Then he sat down by us with all of his friends… And that guy from a top-tier family couldn’t speak.
Trying but unable. Winter had used magic on him to prove he was stronger even. Nice.
People ignored that and focused back on the press conference. I mentally winced when Jasmine confirmed I was suing Neal Wyatt for defamation, both libel and slander. And this time it wasn’t for a dollar like the Rices. No, it was forreal money that would be used in a new non-profit for the legal defense of any witch who needed it.
