?Chapter 172:


    Makenna’s POV:


    “Are you alright? Not hurt, are you?”


    Bryan’s voice driftedzily from behind me, as if he were speaking from the depths of afortable recliner.


    “I’m fine,” I mumbled after catching my bnce and shaking off the wave of bitterness that threatened to drown me.


    The injustice felt like a vice, squeezing the breath from my lungs. This was meant to be my sanctuary, yet I felt more like a stranger in my own home. They were the ones who hadmitted wrongs, but I was left to bear the brunt of everyone’s anger.


    What made the scene even more absurd was the way Frank and the others suddenly morphed into sycophants upon Bryan’s entrance—they turned into nothing short of obsequiouspdogs.


    Frank, now a picture of servility, greeted Bryan with a cringe-worthy smile, “Your Highness, what an honor to have you grace us with your presence.”


    Bryan casually slung an arm over my shoulder, his eyes drifting withzy disdain over the room before he let out an irritated “tsk.”


    His casual tone masked atent threat. “I remember you, Frank, don’t I?”


    Frank’s body shook as fear reced his forced grin. Stuttering, he responded, “I-I’m honored that you recall me, Your Highness.”


    Before Frank could finish his sentence, there was a thunderous “bang.” In an instant, Frank was hurled across the room, mming into the wall with a bone-jarring thud—Bryan had delivered a kick that sent him flying!


    “Ah!” Frank’s scream pierced the air as he crumpled to the floor, unable to rise, writhing in pain.


    Jessica, my father, and stepmother looked on in frozen horror, their faces painted with terror.


    Frank, still writhing in agony, reached out a trembling hand toward Jessica, a silent plea for assistance. But she recoiled in fear, too paralyzed to offer any help. Stunned, I gaped at Bryan, my disbelief palpable.


    ?????????????? ???????????????﹒?????


    Bryan tilted his head, regarding Frank with casual detachment. “You daredy a hand on my woman? It seems I didn’t teach you a harsh enough lesson the first time.”


    The memory of Bryan’s previous punishment of Frank shed in my mind.


    Frank, too, seemed to recall that incident. His shaking intensified at Bryan’s words.


    Unable to stand, he crawled on hands and knees to Bryan’s feet, desperately pleading, “Your Highness, please, this is all just a misunderstanding…”


    Bryan ignored Frank’s groveling entirely, not even sparing him a nce. His hand remained draped over my shoulder, indifferent to the scene unfolding at his feet.


    Looking down at Frank, writhing in agony yet forcing a fawning smile, my disgust grew. How could I ever have seen anything redeeming in this spineless creature? The thought of having once considered entrusting my future happiness to him seemed almostical now. Turning away from Frank with a dismissive sneer, I was met with my father’s furious re.


    “Your Highness, this truly is a misunderstanding. It’s just a minor argument among family members,” my father implored, bowing and scraping to Bryan while shooting me urgent nces, clearly hoping I would persuade Bryan.


    I couldn’t help but find the situation darkly amusing. A sarcastic glimmer danced in my eyes as I turned my gaze away.


    “Hey,” Bryan interjected abruptly, his gaze snapping to me as he impatiently demanded, “What are you still doing here? Just get on with whatever you came for. I don’t have time to waste in this wretched ce.”


    .


    .


    .