"Tell them, Noah! Admit it! Tell everyone that you were playing with my mother's feelings, that you ruined her life just because you could!" Layla's voice cracked as her desperation reached its peak.
The crowd murmured louder, their eyes darting between Layla and Noah, awaiting his response.
Noah remained silent, his calm expression unwavering, which only seemed to fuel Layla's anger.
She pointed an accusing finger at him, her face red with frustration. "See? He won't deny it! What kind of man stands there when confronted with the truth?"
In the crowd, Aiden clenched his fists tightly. Doubt began to creep into his mind, gnawing at the edges of the friendship he had with Noah.
'Is this really the same Noah I've known for so long? Why won't he defend himself? Is he actually guilty?' Aiden's thoughts swirled, his gaze fixed on Noah's impassive face.