The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1099

Franco’s words sent a ripple of shock through the room. People glanced at each other, unsure what to say.

“Franco, don’t you dare,” Aloys spat, his glare sharp and icy.

Franco just smiled, slow and dangerous. “Didn’t you learn your lesson twenty years ago?” He stood, his tall frame casting a shadow, those dark eyes glinting with something hard. “Stay away from my wife and daughter. If even a single hair on their heads is touched, I won’t hesitate. The Hawk Estate will be soaked in blood.”

Aloys went silent, frozen in place. He remembered what Franco had done for that woman twenty years ago, breaking ties with the Hawk Family without a second thought. At this point, nothing Franco did could really surprise him.

Before anyone could recover, a deafening explosion rattled the hall. Somewhere out there, a long-range cannon had just been fired, hitting an empty stretch of land less than two hundred kilometers from the Isle of Veil.

All at once, the noisy hall fell quiet. Everyone stared at Franco, faces tense, eyes wide.

He actually did it.

Franco walked over to Charlotte, reaching out to ruffle her hair. His smile was gentle, almost teasing. “Lottie, did you like the sound of that explosion? Want to hear it a little closer next time?”

Charlotte just stared at him, speechless. She was so used to seeing her dad act all meek and soft around her mom, she almost forgot he was the ruthless leader of Solenia. His methods were never gentle.

The others just looked on in shock. Did he really fire a cannon just to ask Charlotte if she liked the sound? Was Franco actually a demon? It sure seemed that way.

Anthony squeezed Charlotte’s hand and grinned. “Since Lottie isn’t saying anything, she probably liked it. How about we aim a little closer next time?”

The rest of the people in the hall could only stare. Did they think firing a cannon was just a game?

“What do you want?” Rena had been staring at Anthony, and Charlotte’s icy stare made her go pale.

“This is your last warning. Keep your eyes to yourself,” Charlotte said, her voice cold and steady. “Or I’ll take care of them myself.”

Anthony pulled her closer, brushing her cheek with his fingers. “Want me to hand you a knife?” he asked quietly.

Rena sucked in a breath, her face turning even paler. She opened her mouth to protest, but Anthony cut her off, his voice cold. “Leave.”

Humiliated and stunned, Rena could only watch them walk away.