?Chapter 189:


    Makenna’s POV:


    My eyes narrowed as I swiftly caught the woman who had stumbled.


    It was odd—she had been standing upright just moments ago, and then, without warning, she fell. After steadying her, I asked with genuine concern, “Are you alright?”


    The woman, now looking a bit angry, managed a strained smile and replied, “I’m fine. Thank you for catching me.”


    yton, observing the scene, raised an eyebrow and chuckled, giving me a casual wave. “Do well on your assessment. I’m waiting for good news.”


    He cast a significant nce at the woman before turning to leave.


    Once yton was out of sight, the woman’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Shoving me away with a scowl, she snapped, “Stop pretending to be nice! Don’t think I don’t see through your game, trying to soak up all the attention!”


    Attention?


    I was taken aback. All I did was help her from falling. How did it be apetition for attention?


    She continued her tirade. “You’ve already captured the hearts of three princes! And now you won’t even let me get close to one! You’re so selfish! You don’t deserve to be a prince’spanion.”


    It dawned on me then—she had probably intended to fall onto yton to get close to him, and I had unwittingly thwarted her n.


    It seemed my good intentions had backfired.


    I couldn’t entirely me her for the misunderstanding. After all, I was the only one who had won the princes’ favor. It was somewhat understandable that she might see it that way.


    Still, I tried to rify, “No, that’s not it. I genuinely thought you were falling…”


    “Don’t y innocent with me!” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “You’re so despicable and selfish!”


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    “What are you talking about! Makenna, let’s go!”


    Just then, Alice arrived, stepping in to defend me and pulling me away from the escting confrontation. Once we were safely away, I exhaled deeply and said, “That was terrifying.”


    Alice led me to a quieter corner and asked, “What happened? Why were you arguing with her?”


    I recounted the incident, and Alice’s expression shifted to one of resignation.


    “So that’s what happened. You’re already a target, Makenna. It’s best to steer clear of these conflicts in the future, or you’ll find yourself in an even worse predicament.”


    I nodded in agreement, but one question lingered in my mind.


    “I thought that after Latonia’s punishment for trying to seduce Bryan, the other women would be more cautious. So why are they suddenly trying to win the princes’ favor again?”


    I had overheard some of the sex ves discussing attempts to seduce the princes. However, because of Latonia’s lesson and Kristina’s threats, many never dared to make a move.


    “Because of Leonardo’s announcement this morning,” Alice exined with a sigh. “Seed and the reward doubles. Fail and you face punishment. People are throwing caution to the wind now.”


    Everything clicked into ce.


    But my feelings remained mixed.


    In the end, we were merely tools for the royal family, once free women now bound to the pce, scrambling for the princes’ favor. Wasn’t this a pitiable state?


    A mix of sympathy for both them and myself swirled inside me, leaving me uncertain about how to proceed. Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, the bell signaling the start of the next part of the assessment rang out.


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