Chapter 182:
Makenna’s POV:
As I walked out of Kristina’s villa, a heavy sense of defeat settled over me. The plan had failed, and the weight of that failure pressed down hard.
Alice, who had been waiting in the shadows, quickly approached, her face etched with concern. “How did it go, Makenna? Did she agree?”
I shook my head, the heaviness of the situation sinking in. “It didn’t work. Kristina is too shrewd to be fooled.” I briefly recounted my conversation with Kristina, and Alice’s expression grew more troubled with each word. “That’s bad news. What are you going to do?”
I hadn’t anticipated that this visit would complicate things even further, leaving me with an uneasy feeling that anything could happen now.
My expression darkened as I responded, “There’s nothing we can do now but face whatever comes our way.”
Alice sighed, her worry palpable. “And the assessment…”
I clenched my fists, letting determination replace doubt. “I have to win that bonus. It’s the only way to gain the funds I need to defeat Kristina.”
Alice gave me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, her own worry barely masked.
Time seemed to fly by, and soon enough, the day of the assessment arrived. All the women, myself included, were gathered in the grand assessment hall, each of us tense and on edge.
The atmosphere crackled with anxiety. Leonardo stood on a high platform, his expression as stern as ever. His voice carried authority and disappointment as he addressed us. “You’ve all been here for some time, yet none of you have earned the favor of the princes. I am deeply disappointed.”
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. The other women, cowed by his criticism, kept their heads down, not daring to speak or even meet his gaze.
But I could feel several pairs of eyes burning holes into me.
𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 — 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣: 𝔤𝓪𝗅ⲛ𝓞ⱱ𝖊𝗅𝓈﹒𝖼𝗈𝗆
Glancing subtly around, I noticed a few women glaring at me with resentment and jealousy.
My heart sank slightly, and I quickly looked away.
Alice had warned me about this. Today’s assessment was happening because none of the other women had managed to win the princes’ favor. As the only one who had even a hint of their attention, I was sure to be a target.
If they could push me out of the palace, their chances of success would improve dramatically. Removing me, their strongest competitor, was in their best interest. This assessment would be more dangerous than I had anticipated.
Leonardo seemed oblivious to the silent hostility brewing among the women, continuing in his stern tone, “This assessment will weed out the unqualified, leaving only those truly worthy. Of course, those who prove themselves will receive the rewards they deserve.”
Hearing this, I thought of the promised bonus, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I had to win. There was no room for failure.
Alice turned back to me, giving me a wink and a little fist pump for encouragement.
Around me, the other women exchanged glances, their eyes alight with excitement at the prospect of victory—and the rewards that came with it.
Leonardo’s next words only fueled the anticipation. “For those who remain after this assessment, if any of you becomes pregnant and bears a prince’s child, the promised reward will be doubled.”
“Doubled?”
“Seriously, double the reward! That’s a fortune!”
“I’ve never seen that much money in my life!”
Leonardo’s announcement caused a ripple of excitement, with everyone’s eyes lighting up, eager to seize the opportunity.
But then, his tone darkened as he delivered the second part of his message.
“However, if you fail to win the princes’ favor,” he drawled, his gaze sweeping coldly over us, “you will face severe punishment!”
