?Chapter 822:


    Evelyn’s breath hitched, her mind racing as she spected aloud. “Could they have sensed something was wrong and escaped the pce?”


    I shook my head sharply, irritation seeping into my voice. “Impossible! If they’d known my n, how could Makenna havee so close to being killed by that sex ve? You saw it yourself—everything was under control at the banquet!” The more I spoke, the more agitated I became, pacing relentlessly as my thoughts churned. Whoever had orchestrated Makenna’s rescue was no ordinary opponent. Their methods were bizarre and unnerving.


    “Whoever they are,” I growled, my frustration spilling over, “they have the ability to control rats and snakes. Those creatures couldn’t harm us, but they created enough chaos to cover her escape. By the time my men tracked her trail, she was gone—vanished without a trace!”


    Evelyn’s expression shifted suddenly, a spark of realization lighting her eyes as she stepped closer. “Mr. Harrison,” she said eagerly, “we could capture Evie and Alice. They’re Makenna’s closest allies. If anyone knows where she’s hiding, it’s them.”


    Her suggestion struck a chord, and for the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope.


    “Find them!” I barked at my subordinate. “Bring Evie and Alice to me!” Then I turned on my heel and made my way back to the Harrison estate, where I remained under strict confinement, unable to act openly.


    It wasn’t long before my subordinate returned, his face pale and his hands trembling as he delivered his report. “Sir,” he stammered, “Evie and Alice—they’ve disappeared too!”


    Evie’s POV:


    Chaos erupted at the banquet when Leonardo ordered Makenna’s arrest.


    My heart pounded as Alice and I desperately fought through the surging crowd, trying to reach our friend. But the mass of bodies pressed against us, forcing us back until Makenna was lost from view.


    Terror gripped us both, but our fears eased slightly as the three princes sprang into action. They formed a protective circle around Makenna, fighting against the guards. Like an answer to our prayers, Jett appeared in his soldier’s uniform, sweeping Makenna away from the mayhem.


    “She’s safe for now,” I exhaled shakily, turning to Alice. “We need to regroup and figure out our next move.”


    We hadn’t taken more than a few steps when movement caught my eye. My blood ran cold—Antoni stood in the shadows.


    What was he doing here?


    My stomach twisted into knots as dread crept up my spine. This was all wrong—horribly wrong.


    “Damn! Alice, it’s a trap!” I hissed, my fingers instinctively wrapping around Alice’s arm.


    Alice’s head snapped toward me, her eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”


    Words failed me as I scanned the distance, every muscle tense.


    Through the shifting crowd, I could see Antoni and his men forming a menacing barrier across Makenna’s path. The air between the two groups crackled with tension.


    “We can’t stay here. We need to go. Now.” Without waiting for a response, I guided Alice through the sea of people.


    Back in our quarters, I burst into action, throwing our belongings into bags with desperate speed.


    Alice hovered in the doorway, confusion etched across her face. “Evie, what are you doing?”


    “We have to leave before the king’s mene,” I exined between frantic movements, stuffing clothes and essentials into our bags. “We’re Makenna’s closest confidantes; they’lle straight to us for answers about her whereabouts.”


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