?Chapter 217:


    Her happiness was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile, squeezing her hand in return.


    But deep inside, my mind remained a whirlwind of unanswered questions. Did Dominic truly assist me from behind the scenes? And how could he have known about my struggle to conceive?


    Makenna’s POV:


    At that moment, I felt a piercing gaze from the tform, as if an invisible arrow had struck me straight through. I raised my eyes and met Dominic’s stare. His brows were slightly raised, his eyes deep pools of unspoken meaning. My heart skipped a beat; I was acutely aware that something significant was unfolding before me.


    It was now evident that Dominic had yed a role in this matter. But what was his real agenda?


    Leonardo’s authoritative voice cut sharply through my thoughts. “Now that the report has been located, let’s move on.”


    He brushed off the incident with casual indifference. Perhaps the revtion of my normal constitution had dulled the drama, or maybe he simply didn’t care. The previous check had been inconclusive, and he likely attributed any issues to the Lycans.


    He addressed the assembly. “Those who have passed the physical check and at least one of the previous rounds are deemed to have sessfully passed the assessment.”


    Relief washed over many, as though a heavy fog had lifted. The anxiety that had gripped my chest finally began to ease. Even though I had faltered in the intelligence test because of Bryan’s intervention, my sess in hunting a brown bear had been enough to secure my ce.


    “If there are any who did not pass,” Leonardo continued, his expression turning stern, “leave the pce immediately!”


    A chill ran down my spine. Despite my sess, his ruthlessmand sent shivers through me. Here, a woman’s worth was measured solely by her ability to bear children for the princes. Once that value was gone, she was discarded without a second thought.


    I sighed inwardly, realizing that while I had narrowly avoided this trial’s worst oue, the threat of future dangers still loomed. I needed to take charge of my fate if I ever hoped to escape this precarious predicament.


    The faces of the women who had failed were ashen as soldiers came to escort them away. Their pleas went unanswered, their voices swallowed by indifference. Leonardo remained unmoved.


    Seemingly pleased with having selected the most suitable women, Leonardo’s mood brightened. He gestured to those remaining, announcing, “Alright, those who stay may…”


    “Come forward to collect your bonuses.” He instructed the servants to distribute them ording to our performance.


    Leonardo continued, “As long as you diligently bear the princes’ children, your rewards will only grow, never diminish.”


    tion spread among the women as they clutched their bonuses with joy.


    “This is amazing! So much!”


    “Absolutely! I can finally buy everything I’ve dreamed of!”


    Holding my considerable bonus, I too felt a wave of relief. Despite the arduous process, the favorable oue was a much-needed reprieve.


    But then Leonardo’s tone turned grave, his voice heavy with warning. “However, if you fail to serve the princes with utmost dedication, do not me me for administering severe punishment!”


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