Chapter 178:
Makenna’s POV:
“What?” I asked, completely shocked. “That happened?” Everything had seemed normal with the Dunn family when I left them last night. How could their place have gone up in flames overnight?
A smirk of malicious delight spread across Alice’s face as she revealed, “Apparently they crossed Prince Bryan. Their home was not only plundered but set ablaze too.” Her hand tightened into a fist, and with a hint of regret, she muttered, “Too bad they didn’t all burn to death, those bastards.”
Crossed Bryan?
I was momentarily taken aback. Bryan had been with me at the Dunn family villa yesterday, but the dispute had been between me and them alone. When had they offended him?
“Since you’ve been so obedient, I’ll reward you with a gift.”
Bryan’s words echoed in my mind, and it finally made sense. Was this the “gift” he mentioned? Was he actually taking revenge on my behalf?
My feelings suddenly became mixed. Our relationship had always been strained, but here he was, exacting revenge on my behalf.
“Makenna.” Alice’s voice pulled me back to reality. She could sense there was some gossip and prodded, “Do you know what’s happening?”
I took a deep breath and laid it all out for her.
I shared how the Dunns had taken my mother’s necklace and handed it over to Kristina, and how poorly they had treated me at their house. I glossed over the part where I had agreed to Bryan’s demands, too mortified to divulge those details.
Alice’s expression turned fierce, and she thumped her fist on the table. “How can they be so shameless? To give away your mother’s keepsake just like that! It’s appalling!”
I mustered a weak smile, at a loss for words.
𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩: g𝗮𝗅𝗇𝗈𝗏𝗲𝗅𝘀꞉𝗰𝗼𝗺
“It’s alright. I did manage to get back the rest of my mother’s belongings, at least.”
“But Makenna, what about the necklace?” Alice pressed, squeezing my hand. “Are you really going to let Kristina win and marry that idiot?”
Her words made me clench my fists in determination. I was determined to reclaim that necklace, and I resolved that Kristina’s schemes would not succeed.
I drew a deep breath and turned to Alice with a serious tone. “Remember the red-light district we were taken to before?”
Alice nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes, I remember.”
“That area is actually…”
I began, disclosing the details I had unearthed with Dominic’s help.
Shock spread across Alice’s face as she exclaimed, “I can’t believe it! The Harrison family is even more vile than I imagined!”
“Exactly,” I replied seriously. “I’m planning to leverage this information against them.”
I leaned forward, confiding my plan to Alice in a whisper. As she absorbed the details, her expression changed from astonishment to apprehension. After I finished, she gave me a concerned gaze. “Makenna, your plan is fraught with danger. If it becomes known that you’re orchestrating this, it won’t merely escalate your conflict with Kristina. The entire Harrison family could turn against you.”
I understood her concerns, but I could think of no other option.
Kristina’s actions had driven me to the edge; it was no longer a simple rivalry between just us. Supported by the Harrison family, she had the freedom to act however she wished.
This time, her audacity to use my mother’s keepsake as leverage over me was intolerable. I was compelled to retaliate.
My eyes locked with Alice’s, and my gaze was resolute as I said with calm determination, “Kristina has overstepped all bounds. Come what may, I am resolved to ensure she faces the consequences of her actions.”
