Chapter 772
Chapter 772:
Clayton’s lips curled into a smile that looked soft but carried an unmistakable razor’s edge. “Why don’t you take over as the Lycan prince in our place, Antoni?” he suggested, his tone mockingly light.
Antoni straightened quickly, nearly stumbling as his hands flailed in frantic denial. His face was a mask of panic as he stammered, “No, no, no, Your Highness! I would never dare dream of such a thing! I… I only acted because I couldn’t stand Makenna’s betrayal!”
Bryan’s derisive laugh sliced through Antoni’s desperate pleas like a blade. His icy gaze swept over him, his voice dripping with disdain. “Makenna has done nothing of the sort. Your accusations are nothing but lies.”
From his place at the head of the hall, Leonardo’s eyes narrowed as he asked pointedly, “And what about that earring?”
Bryan’s sharp gaze shifted immediately to the doctor, who flinched under the sudden scrutiny.
Before the doctor could respond, Bryan strode forward, snatching the earring from his trembling hands. He held it tightly, his voice dangerously calm. “This earring… You stole it, didn’t you?”
At Bryan’s words, Clayton and Dominic turned their piercing gazes onto the doctor as well.
The doctor, visibly shrinking under the weight of their stares, trembled like a leaf in a storm. His lips quivered, but no words came. His ashen face betrayed his guilt. Bryan, his contempt evident, turned back to Leonardo. Speaking with measured certainty, he said, “Father, Makenna disliked this earring and discarded it long ago. We never imagined someone would stoop so low as to use it to fabricate a scandal.”
Dominic’s deep voice added weight to Bryan’s argument. “Father, we are with Makenna nearly every day. If she were involved with another man, we would know.”
Clayton stepped in smoothly, his tone firm. “Father, Makenna is clearly the victim of a false accusation.”
𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗀ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀꞉ⅽ𝗈𝗆
Leonardo’s expression darkened as he listened to his sons. His voice thundered with anger as he commanded, “Guards, strip the doctor of his title and banish him as a rogue!”
Then, he turned his cold gaze on Antoni, his displeasure unmistakable. “Antoni, for your conduct today, you will receive ten lashes and be confined to your home for three months.”
Defeat hung heavily over Antoni as he bowed low, his resentment barely concealed.
I stood frozen, scarcely daring to breathe, as Leonardo’s stern gaze shifted to me. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. “Makenna, you would do well to conduct yourself properly. Should any further rumors disgrace the Lycan royal family, I will not show mercy!”
Lowering my head, I responded softly, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Leonardo, his face a mask of impatience, waved us away with a dismissive gesture.
As I left the hall, the three princes caught up to me almost instantly.
Clayton seized my wrist, his grip firm despite my attempt to pull free.
“Makenna, you were summoned early this morning. You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let’s have breakfast together,” he said, his voice gentle.
I shook off his hand, my expression icy. My tone was colder still. “Thank you for today, but I don’t need breakfast with you.”
Before I could take another step, Bryan blocked my path. His eyes bored into mine, intense and questioning. “Did anyone come to see you after you returned last night?” he demanded.
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