?Chapter 423:


    A shiver ran down my back, and I bowed my head, my hands instinctively resting on my stomach.


    I understood perfectly. Leonardo didn’t care about the squabbles between us, only the bloodline growing inside us. As long as the children remained unharmed, the rest would be overlooked.


    With a dismissive wave of his hand, he sent us away.


    Bryan gently took my hand and guided me out of the hall. I cast onest nce over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of Molly also rising to leave.


    The sunlight outside the shadowy hall hit me like a wall of heat, its harsh re making me squint as I tried to adjust.


    Before I could regain myposure, yton appeared before me. “Makenna, are you alright?”


    I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Molly darted forward, a look of desperate eagerness lighting up her face. “Your Highness, why are you—”


    yton didn’t even spare her a nce. His focus was entirely on me. “Makenna, did my father punish you?” His voice trembled slightly, betraying his worry, and I could see the toll it had taken on him. His usual calm demeanor was reced with fatigue, and his face was a little more drawn than usual.


    I gave him a small, reassuring smile. “I’m fine,” I said softly, hoping to ease the concern etched into his handsome face. His tense posture rxed.


    “I came as soon as I heard, but I was still toote.”


    “Your Highness!” Molly’s voice rose in a pout. She stomped her foot, her eyes wide and tear-filled. “I was terrified just now! If I hadn’t had proof of my innocence, I could’ve been med for trying to harm Makenna!”


    Her performance was almost impressive. Even her tears were always on cue.


    I couldn’t help butugh, the sound cold and sharp as I turned to her. “Is that so, Molly? Tell me, was it really your evidence that saved you? Or was it the child in your womb that made the king turn a blind eye?”


    gα?ησν????s, the ce for amazing tales


    Molly’s face paled. Her confidence evaporated in an instant.


    yton threw her an icy stare. “I only believe Makenna. And Molly, if you ever try to harm her, there will be no saving you.”


    Molly staggered back under yton’s death stare. Tears spilled over, and she pped a hand over her mouth to muffle her sobs.


    Then, with a final broken nce, she turned and fled into the pce corridors.


    Molly’s POV:


    How could yton do this to me? My chest felt like it was shattering with every step as I fled, tears streaming down my face. I kept hoping—desperately—that he’de after me, if not for me, then at least for our child. But nothing. No footsteps, no voice calling out. Against my better judgment, I nced back.


    What I saw made my blood boil. yton was gazing at Makenna with tenderness in his eyes, the kind of look I once thought was meant for me. Jealousy burned through me like wildfire, threatening to break whatever remained of my sanity.


    The moment I stormed into my house, I unleashed my fury on the room, sweeping everything off the table with one furious motion. The crash of porcin against the floor echoed through the walls, sharp and jarring—just like the pain tearing through me.


    Hayley was already there, standing by the window. Seeing my outburst, she rushed over. “Molly, calm down. What happened? Did you manage to fix it?”


    I was too angry to speak at first. My chest was heaving, my fists balled hard. After a long, shaky breath, I forced myself onto the sofa, trying to regain some control.


    “Makenna thinks she can outsmart me with a ne? She has no idea who she’s dealing with.” I let out a coldugh. “She’s a fool if she thinks I’m Kristina—impulsive and reckless.”


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