?Chapter 544:


    The crowded hall soon began to overwhelm me, making me feel sick. I decided to step out into the garden for some fresh air. There were only a few people scattered about, and the flowers swayed gently in the breeze, creating a tranquil scene.


    I looked around for a bench and finally sat down. I had barely settled when a figure loomed over me. Looking up, I found Antoni standing there, a smile on his face.


    I immediately rose to my feet and began to leave, but Antoni blocked my path.


    “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Antoni?” I asked warily, taking a step back.


    Makenna’s POV:


    “Don’t worry, I’m not here to stir up any trouble. I noticed you were by yourself and thought maybe you could use somepany. How about we chat for a while?” Antoni let out a chuckle.


    Bathed in the glow of the moonlight, he appeared every bit the gentleman. His movements exuded elegance and politeness, but I was the only one who understood the depth of his wickedness.


    “There’s nothing we need to discuss.” I turned to leave after saying this, but Antoni grabbed my wrist and yanked me back to the bench with surprising force. Startled and furious, I struggled against him.


    “What in the world are you trying to do?”


    Antoni sat beside me, the unsettling grin never leaving his lips. “Nothing really, just a chat.” As he spoke, he leaned in closer, tilted my chin up, and studied me.


    “Makenna, there’s a certain charm about you. It’s clear why the three princes are so infatuated.”


    I pped his hand away in disgust, rage boiling inside me. “What are you trying to do? Avenge Molly’s death?”


    The mention of Molly sparked a flicker of hatred in Antoni’s eyes. “You still remember Molly? I assumed you’d forgotten her after you killed her.” His tone grew icy. It was clear now—Antoni did it all for Molly.


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    I narrowed my eyes,pelled to ask, “So, Molly was carrying your child?”


    Antoni’s expression turned scornful. His eyebrow arched as though he relished the moment. “Take a guess.”


    “Are you not concerned I might report you?” I scowled. “His Majesty won’t let you off easily.”


    With a smirk, Antoni brushed off my threat. “Feel free to try. Let’s see if anyone takes your word seriously.”AdChoicesADVERTISING


    His eyes locked on mine, brimming with arrogance and contempt.


    “The members of the Harrison family are His Majesty’s right-hand men. Makenna, who do you think he’ll believe—you or me? Or do you suppose the princes would risk their ties with the Harrison family for you?”


    Antoni struck me with the cold, hard truth. He was right. In the confines of this pce, power and status dictated everything. And I, a mere sex ve, stood no chance against the Harrison family.


    When he saw my silence, Antoni’s grin widened with triumph. “Do you realize why I suggested the princes sleep with other women? Because when they fall in love with them, and once those women are pregnant, you’ll be irrelevant. Then, wouldn’t you bepletely under my control?”


    So that was the purpose of Antoni’s earlier suggestion—to make the princes get other women pregnant and reduce my importance. Despair washed over me, and my hands curled into tight fists. This man was terrifyingly cunning. Every move he made was carefully calcted to trap me further into a corner.


    His grin grew more conceited as he leaned in closer. His breath was warm against my face. Inhaling deeply, he murmured, “You smell so nice.”


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