“Vincent and Katelyn seem deeply in love. Did you see that? Are you really going to just sit back and let them be happy together?”

Malice dripped from his words, as though he reveled in the thought of Ryanna’s misery.

Ryanna scoffed, “Brendan, do you know the biggest difference between you and Vincent?” Her voice carried a note of mockery.

Brendan couldn’t see the derision in her eyes, but he certainly heard it. His grip tightened around the cigarette before he crushed it in his palm, his expression darkening.

His voice turned sharp. “Ryanna, I suggest you choose your words carefully. Otherwise, things won’t end well between us.”

He had expected Ryanna to be seething over Vincent’s refusal, but instead, she remained as composed as ever.

Ryanna, however, had no patience for Brendan’s antics today. After dealing with Annie’s unexpected visit, she had no interest in entertaining another petty provocateur.

Her tone grew even colder. “Oh? Are you saying you’re going to make sure things don’t end well for me? Or is that just an empty threat?” Vincent was someone she had to be cautious around. Brendan? He wasn’t even worth considering.

Brendan slammed his hand onto the table, his jaw tightening. “Ryanna, don’t turn against someone who’s trying to help you! Or do you really not want Vincent anymore?”

He knew better. Ryanna had gone to great lengths for Vincent in the past. Everyone knew she loved him. And now that he had broken off their engagement, wasn’t that a slap in the face? Yet she could tolerate

Ryanna lifted a cup of coffee from the table, took a slow sip, and replied indifferently, “Brendan, some advice—stay out of things that don’t concern you. It’ll save you a lot of trouble.” It was a warning. A very direct one.

She still had feelings for Vincent, but her priority was securing the throne. She couldn’t afford to let personal matters ruin that.

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Brendan’s face twisted with rage. “Fine. One day, you’ll regret rejecting me!” With that, he hung up.

Ryanna stared at her phone for a moment, unimpressed by his tantrum.

She might not have full control over the kingdom yet, but she knew exactly what her father had been doing behind closed doors.

Work with Brendan? Only a fool would choose him over Vincent. The power gap between them was insurmountable, and Ryanna understood that all too well.

But… Her thoughts drifted back to the mad woman in the small woods. Who was she?

That woman had been imprisoned there since Ryanna was a child. She had once been curious enough to investigate, but back then, her resources were limited. The King had made it clear—she was not to dig into the matter. And so, she had let it go.

But now, Katelyn was just as intrigued. And Ryanna couldn’t ignore her own curiosity any longer.

She picked up her phone and sent a message.

“Find out the identity of the woman locked up in the woods behind the palace garden.”

Then, she set her phone down, her mind already working through the possibilities. For now, she couldn’t afford to antagonize Katelyn. Everything had to be handled carefully.

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