Chapter 126:
Jessica’s POV:
“Mrs. Thomas, it’s done.”
A low voice cut through the hum of conversation as I took a sip of my wine, pretending to listen to the guests.
A waiter leaned in close, speaking just above a whisper, “I’ve taken her to the designated spot.”
His words sent a spark of excitement through me. I excused myself from the conversation and led the waiter to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes.
“Well done,” I praised, handing him a small pouch brimming with gold coins.
He accepted the pouch eagerly, his eyes shining with barely concealed glee. He fawned over me with excessive gratitude and flattery, but I waved him off with a stern look. “Remember, this stays between us. Not a word to anyone, understood?”
“Got it! You don’t need to worry,” he assured me, practically glowing as he hurried off with his reward.
As soon as he disappeared, my parents and Frank emerged from the shadows, having observed the exchange.
My smile widened as I turned to Frank, my tone laced with satisfaction. “Don’t forget to clean up the mess.”
Frank slipped an arm around my waist, his voice smooth and reassuring. “As soon as he leaves here, the waiter will be dealt with—robbers will make sure he never talks. No one will ever know about our plan.”
“Just wait and see,” I said with a smile. “When the princes find out Makenna is caught in a compromising situation with another man, they will have no choice but to execute her.”
But Frank didn’t share in my triumph. He seemed distant, his head bowed and his expression troubled, as if lost in his thoughts.
His silence grated on my nerves. “Frank, what are you thinking about? Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on her.”
Lᴀτєѕτ chⲁρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝗇ovєls.𝑎𝓂
The memory of Frank’s gaze lingering on Makenna when she arrived at the wedding today resurfaced in my mind, his eyes fixed on her as if she had cast some kind of spell over him. The thought stirred up my irritation.
He was mine! How could he still be thinking about that woman?
No! I would not allow it!
Startled by the edge in my voice, Frank quickly snapped back to the present and shook his head. “No, it’s not that. I was just thinking… Today is our wedding day. What if this incident comes back to haunt us?”
I frowned slightly. Frank was being overly cautious—too cautious for my liking.
I immediately countered, “What if it does? If Makenna disgraces herself at our wedding, she’s the one who will be humiliated, not us. We’ll be seen as the victims.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Frank muttered in agreement, though still unsure.
I shot him a sharp look, my patience wearing thin. “Besides, this is our only chance. Makenna doesn’t trust us anymore. Once she returns to the palace, it will be nearly impossible to lure her out again.”
I knew how wary she had become, which was why today’s plan had to succeed without a hitch.
As I imagined Makenna’s downfall, a wave of satisfaction washed over me.
That woman—how dare she think she could challenge me?
Frank, resigned to the situation, fell silent, his agreement clear in his expression.
My mother sighed, adding her voice to the mix. “Yes, we had no choice. With Makenna bearing a grudge against us, if she gains power in the palace, she’ll come after us first.”
With Frank and my mother in agreement, I turned to my father, a small knot of unease tightening in my chest.
After all, Makenna was his daughter by blood. Could he really go through with this?
But whatever doubt had been in his eyes vanished as he listened to my mother’s words.
His face hardened, his resolve clear as he declared coldly, “Your mother is right. As long as Makenna lives, she is a threat to our family. We must eliminate her before she has a chance to destroy us.”
A smile tugged at my lips. To be honest, when we first sent Makenna to the palace, I had hoped she wouldn’t survive. But she did—she not only survived, but she also managed to gain the princes’ favor.
My parents had wanted to exploit her newfound influence for our family’s gain, but since she refused to play along, she was no longer of any use to us.
Blow after blow, with everyone united against her, her fate was sealed. Makenna was as good as dead!
Just as I was savoring the victory in my mind, a sudden commotion erupted in the hall.
My smile froze, a prickle of unease spreading through me.
Before I could ask what was happening, a loud voice rang out from outside.
“Prince Dominic has arrived!”
