Chapter 25 The Verdict

Lila tried to push the encounter with the hooded man to the back of her mind, focusing on the trial and Thorne's fate. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Aria and Elara noticed her distraction, her eyes glazing over as she stared into space.
"Hey, Lila, where were you?" Aria asked, her voice low and concerned. "You disappeared for a bit, and we couldn't find you anywhere."
Lila hesitated, unsure of what to say. She didn't want to reveal her encounter with the mysterious man, not yet. "I just needed some fresh air," she lied, trying to sound nonchalant.