?Chapter 899:


    I exhaled shakily, only now realizing how rigid my posture had been. My nerves, wound tight as a bowstring, slowly began to unwind.


    Cody was a different breed of dangerpared to Antoni. While Antoni’s menace was blunt and unrestrained, Cody’s was a silent storm—controlled, calcting, and deadly in its restraint. One wrong move and he would pounce, forcing anyone in his path to tread with caution.


    Still unsettled, I returned to my room. But I had barely sunk into a chair when a knock echoed through the silence.


    I rose to open the door and found Jett standing there. My heart skipped a beat, a wave of inexplicable panic washing over me.


    Jett stepped into the room, concern etched across his face. “Makenna, where were you this morning? I knocked, but there was no answer.” I averted my eyes, scrambling for an excuse. “I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk.”


    I quietly hoped Jett wouldn’t grow suspicious.


    Jett studied me for a moment but nodded, sinking into a nearby chair. Yet his expression remained dark, his gaze distant as he seemed lost in thought.


    A pang of unease tugged at me. “Jett, did something happen?”


    Jett drew in a slow, measured breath. “Cody wants me to treat him.”


    “Cody?”


    Shock jolted through me, my eyes widening as Cody’s words at the gate reyed in my mind. I quickly said, “Jett, I saw Cody at the gate today. He is definitely keeping an eye on us. He said that if things ever get tough for us with the Pierce family, we’re wee to seek refuge with the Harrison family.”


    A mirthlessugh escaped Jett, filled with icy contempt. “Cody is as cunning as theye. I’ve ruined his n—he wouldn’t offer me an olive branch without a catch. Whatever he is up to, it’s nothing good.”


    Makenna’s POV:


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    “What exactly is Cody trying to do? Did Dayton agree?” I asked anxiously.


    Jett slowly shook his head, his face set in a grave expression. “Dayton refused. Cody didn’t say much, but knowing him, I’m sure things are definitely not that simple.”


    I sighed heavily at Jett’s words.


    “You must be careful now, Makenna. Especially now that the three princes are here. It would be bad if they discovered who you truly are,” Jett warned.


    I looked away from Jett, feeling guilty. “I’ll be careful,” I softly said.


    Jett seemed like he wanted to say more but couldn’t find the right words. His eyes were stormy, filled with worry and resignation.


    Finally, he said, “I’ll go get some rest now. Let me know if you need anything.”


    He then slowly got up and made his way out of my room.


    I copsed onto the bed after Jett left. My mind raced with different thoughts, and I couldn’t help but wonder if things were getting worse. For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Cody wouldn’t let things go that easily.


    The next morning proved me right. I could hear the servants at the Pierce mansion whispering to each other. Rumors were spreading in Marehelm that Cody was seriously ill and that Dayton had a renowned doctor, Edward, in his house but refused to help.


    These rumors spread like wildfire, and soon almost everyone in Marehelm had heard about it.


    Jett and I sat in the room, discussing how to deal with the rumors. Soon, one of Dayton’s attendants came into the room. Looking at Jett, the attendant said, “Mr. Pierce requires your presence, Mr. Burton.”


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