?Chapter 218:


    The hall fell into a tense silence, the recent fate of the women who had been expelled still fresh in everyone’s minds.


    “Yes, Your Majesty,” the women replied, their voices subdued.


    Leonardo waved dismissively, as if done with the whole affair. “Alright, there’s nothing more for you here. You may all leave.”


    Makenna’s POV:


    As we filed out of the hall, the women who had been humbly obedient just moments ago suddenly burst into joyful chatter. They counted their bonuses over and over, excitedly discussing what they would do with the money.


    Alice, clutching her coins with unbridled excitement, eximed, “Makenna, this bonus is astonishingly generous!”


    Alice was a standout she-wolf, having aced all three rounds of evaluations, and her bonus dwarfed mine. She twirled with delight, saying, “I’ve never seen so much money in my life!”


    As I nced at my own substantial bonus, a smile crept onto my face. Atst, this chapter had closed, and I no longer had to carry its weight.


    Alice and I exchanged a knowing nce and a shared smile. With a hint of gravity, I said to her, “I trust you to handle the next steps.”


    With my bonus secured, it was time to put my n into action. Alice was a key yer in this, and her assistance was crucial.


    Alice nodded solemnly. “You can count on me.”


    Just as we were conversing, an irate voice pierced the air, shouting my name.


    “Makenna!”


    Before I could react, I was roughly shoved. I staggered a few steps, barely managing to keep my bnce as the box of coins teetered dangerously.


    Turning to confront the source of the disturbance, I saw Kristina, her face a mask of fury. I had yed my cards well, and I could tell she wasn’t about to let me off the hook easily.


    Kristina’s gaze was like a storm cloud, and through gritted teeth, she spat out, “Makenna, you didn’t listen to me like a good little puppet!”


    I tilted my chin ever so slightly, meeting her re with a defiant smile. “It’s a shame your scheme didn’t pan out.”


    “Makenna!” Kristina’s voice was a growl of frustration, her eyes shing with venomous rage. “Don’t get all high and mighty!”


    “Oh?” I feigned confusion, tilting my head slightly. “What exactly am I supposed to be smug about? Did I miss something?”


    “You!” Kristina was nearly frothing at the mouth, her fury so intense it seemed to fill the air around us. I studied her, almost amused by the way her anger pulsed with a life of its own, my lips curving into a faint, satisfied smile. Go ahead, get mad. Make a scene! With Leonardo still inside, if Kristina made enough noise to catch his attention, her schemes could be exposed. Even if he wanted to protect the Harrison family, doing so openly in front of everyone would be difficult.


    But Kristina wasn’t entirely reckless. She drew in a sharp breath, forcing herself to regainposure, her expression settling into a mask of tightly restrained spite. “Fine. Very well. I hope you don’te to regret this.”


    With onest venomous re, she stormed away, her rage practically radiating in every step.


    Alice rolled her eyes at Kristina’s retreating back and muttered under her breath, “Kristina’s got ears like a hawk, doesn’t she? She caught on the second you passed the assessment.”


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