?Chapter 574:


    Who were these assassins? Who would be so ruthless? Could it have been Antoni?


    A few names ran through my mind, but Antoni stood out like a shadow, dark and unmistakable. As I lost myself in thought, two soldiers approached, their faces stern, eyes as cold as steel.


    “Come with us, Miss Dunn. His Majesty has ordered us to take you to receive your punishment,” the lead soldier said, his voice chilling.


    I snapped out of my thoughts with a soft sigh and followed them without resistance.


    Before I could drift too far, Bryan grabbed my arm and whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, “Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything. You won’t feel a thing.”


    His words sent a shiver down my spine, though I didn’t quite understand what he meant.


    It wasn’t until the punishment began that I realized just what Bryan had arranged.


    The soldier, standing emotionless, raised the whip high, his hand poised to strike.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the sting, but when the whipnded, I was met with a sensation so light, it might as well have been a gentle brush of air.


    I was secretly taken aback.


    So this was Bryan’s “arrangement.”


    After the tenshes, Bryan was at my side in an instant, his faceced with concern. “Does it hurt?”


    I was touched by his kindness and murmured, “It doesn’t hurt. Thank you.”


    He pinched my cheek with a mischievous grin and said, “No need for thanks. But if you ever do something like this again, I’ll make sure you pay for it in a far more intimate way.”


    His words struck me like a bolt of lightning, and my face flushed crimson. I shyly looked away, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.


    Find your next story at g?lnσν????s．??o??


    Bryan ruffled my hair, his grin lingering. “Father asked me to handle yton’s situation. I still need to keep investigating. You should go back to your house.”


    I nodded, watching him turn and leave.


    As for Dominic, after confirming I wasn’t harmed, he was whisked away by the servants for medical attention. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and made my way back to my residence, alone.


    Standing in front of the small vi, I stared at the closed door. For a moment, I hesitated, my hand hovering over the handle, not daring to push it open.


    Makenna’s POV:


    Alice and Evie must have found out about the sham death I staged. I couldn’t help but wonder if they would hold it against me for slipping away without so much as a word of farewell.


    As I stood before my door, my mind was a whirlwind of scenarios, each more nerve-wracking than thest, building a pressure that weighed down on my chest.


    After what felt like an age, I finally gathered the courage, inhaled a steadying breath, and reached for the handle. But before my hand could make contact, the door swung open of its own ord.


    There, standing before me, was Alice. Her face, tired and worn, appeared as if out of nowhere, and I was rooted to the spot in stunned silence, unable to move as she stared at me, her eyes locked with mine.


    Her eyelids were swollen, traces of tears streaking down her cheeks. When she saw me, her eyes bulged wide, disbelief painting her face as if she were still trying to convince herself I was real.


    .


    .


    .