Chapter 179:
Kristina’s POV:
I sprawled leisurely on a poolside deck chair, soaking up the sun’s warm embrace. Molly, ever the dutiful attendant, was busy pampering me, offering gentle massages and feeding me ripe, juicy fruit. Contentment was a mere word compared to the bliss I felt.
After a spell of indulgence, I lazily waved my hand, my voice a soft command. “Molly, bring that necklace over again. I want to have another look at it.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Molly complied, fetching the necklace and placing it in my hand with an almost amusing reverence.
I lifted the necklace to the light, scrutinizing it closely as the sun’s rays danced upon the silver.
It was nothing more than a simple silver chain, with a pure silver locket hanging from it—a locket stubbornly sealed, as if hiding secrets it refused to share. I had wrestled with it before, trying to pry it open, but the locket had resisted my every attempt.
Other than that, the necklace had no distinguishing features, nothing that would catch the eye of anyone with a taste for finer things.
In the grand sea of my expensive jewelry collection, this trinket was but a drop, barely worth my notice. Yet, the knowledge of its significance to Makenna infused it with a peculiar sort of value.
As long as this necklace was in my possession, Makenna would be a puppet dancing to my tune.
The thought brought a triumphant smile to my lips as I continued to admire the necklace, the memory of Makenna’s impotent rage still fresh in my mind. I could almost taste the bitterness of her future.
A soft, delighted laugh escaped me as I mused aloud,
“With this in my hand, let’s see what that miserable Makenna thinks she can do now.”
“You’re incredible, Miss Harrison,” Molly chimed in, her hands working diligently on my back, her smile a mirror of obsequiousness. “You found that woman’s Achilles’ heel so effortlessly.”
𝓞𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽 ⸬ 𝓰𝓪𝗅𝗇𝗈𝓿𝗲𝗅𝘀⦙𝓬𝓸𝓶
I chuckled, a low, smug sound, brushing off the thought of Makenna like a speck of dust. “That worthless woman? She’s no match for me.”
Makenna was insignificant, a mere shadow in the grand scheme—a woman with nothing but a pretty face to her name. Crushing her would be as effortless as swatting a fly.
Molly, ever the sycophant, continued to shower me with praise. “Miss Harrison, your foresight is unmatched. By forcing Makenna to marry Flynn’s brother, you’ve ensured she won’t find a moment’s peace.”
“Naturally,” I replied, my laugh tinged with arrogance. Rumor had it Flynn’s brother was not only mentally unstable but prone to violent outbursts, and his parents were a miserable pair themselves. Makenna was about to walk into a living nightmare, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The mere thought of her suffering at their hands had me laughing out loud. And if they happened to beat her to death, all the better! That would finally put an end to her shameless flirtations.
“Do you see now?” I said, my tone dripping with satisfaction. “This is what happens when you dare to cross me. Anyone who dares get close to the princes is asking for trouble.”
“But…” Molly hesitated, her voice cautious as if treading on thin ice. “Makenna doesn’t seem like the type to just give in. Are you sure she’ll bow to your will?”
I tightened my grip on the necklace, a scornful laugh bubbling up from within. “I’m certain she will. Those useless Dunns claimed this necklace holds great importance to her. Besides…” I smirked, the corners of my mouth curling with wicked glee. “Even if she doesn’t obey me, I can always destroy the necklace. Watching Makenna suffer would be satisfaction enough.”
As long as Makenna was miserable, my day was made. I had a whole arsenal of ways to make that wretched woman’s life a living hell.
And just as expected, it wasn’t long before a maid entered, her demeanor respectful as she announced, “Miss Harrison, Makenna has arrived.”
My heart quickened with excitement, my eyes lighting up like a child on Christmas morning. Sitting up eagerly, I grinned even wider, giving the maid a nod. “Excellent, bring her in.”
