?Chapter 1035:


    Observant as always, Dominic noticed my unease and gently patted my head, his smile warm and reassuring. “Don’t take a dying man’s words too seriously. But just to be safe, we’ll conduct a thorough investigation.”


    I nodded, my face still troubled, though gradually my anxious heart began to calm.


    At that moment, a sharp knock sounded at the office door.


    “Come in,” Dayton responded, and the door slowly opened.


    Withmanding presence, Alden strode in wearing sharp, authoritative armor, his face stern and full of determination.


    Makenna’s POV:


    As soon as Alden stepped into the office, his eyes immediately found mine among the gathered faces.


    His expression shifted instantly, his eyes lighting up like stars bursting to life against the night sky. Without hesitation, he boldly pushed past the three princes standing beside me.


    Their faces flickered with surprise and displeasure at his brash move, but Alden paid them no mind. In a few swift strides, he crossed the room and seized my hand in his.


    His palm felt damp against my skin, his eyes scanning me with undisguised worry.


    “Makenna, are you okay?” he said, his voice tight with concern. “You’re not hurt, are you?”


    Heat crept into my cheeks at his dramatic disy. I gently pulled my hand from his grasp, looking away.


    “I’m fine, don’t worry.”


    The tension melted from Alden’s body as my reassurance washed over him.


    “I already know about Jett’s situation,” he muttered, crossing his arms. “He turned out to be somewhat useful; at least he kept you safe.”


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    His grudging admission made a smile tug at my lips.


    “Hey,” I asked, eyeing his battle-ready appearance, “where have you been, wearing all that armor?”


    Alden blinked, as if suddenly remembering why he’de in the first ce. He smacked his forehead, finally tearing his gaze away from me.


    He turned toward Dayton, his demeanor shiftingpletely. Gone was the worried person, reced by a soldier delivering a report.


    “Mr. Pierce, I’ve uprooted Cody’s influence in Marehelm,” he announced firmly. “Those people are now in custody, ready for interrogation at any time.”


    Difort flickered across Dayton’s face.


    His eyes darted between the three princes and Alden, who stood oblivious to the tension he’d created.


    Clearing his throat, Dayton forced a smile.


    “Well… you’ve done well,” he said, smoothing over the awkward moment. “Since there’s nothing else, you should go and rest. I have important matters to discuss with the three princes and Miss Dunn.”


    Alden raised an eyebrow skeptically, his expression defiant. “Is there something I can’t hear? I’ve just aplished something huge.”


    As soon as he said this, the princes’ expressions darkened even further.


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