Chapter 229: Execution

Alina’s POV
At the mention of the aphrodisiac, I instantly suspected that Warren had ratted me out I was flustered
and angry.
My plan was perfect! Rufus couldn’t have traced it back to me unless someone told him.
It wasn’t until Rufus showed me the evidence that I realized it was that stupid Coco who messed up this
whole operation.
Laura was glaring at me, demanding an explanation. I had never seen her so angry with me.
Panic-stricken, I was worried she would kick me out of the imperial capital, so I put all the blame on Coco

“Why on earth would your maid do such a thing without your permission?” Laura squinted at me
suspiciously, planting her hands on her hips domineeringly.
“She…” My mind was a complete mess and I couldn’t think logically. “She has a crush on Prince Rufus. I
tried to dissuade her, but she didn’t listen to me!”
Coco, who was standing in the corner, whipped up her head in shock. “What? No-” “Now that you’ve
been caught, you have to suffer the consequences. Both Queen Laura and Prince Rufus are reasonable.
Maybe their punishment will be light.” I stepped forward to block Laura’s vision and winked at Coco
meaningfully.
Coco couldn’t help but burst into sobs. She buried her face in her hands and begged, “Please forgive
me, Queen Laura and Prince Rufus. I was the one who did it. Miss Quinn is innocent.”
I turned around. I couldn’t bear to see how miserable Coco looked.
After all, she had worked for me since she was a child. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her.
“Did you know about this?” Laura glanced at me and asked in a razor sharp tone. Despite my guilty
conscience, I clenched my sweating palms and shook my head. “I only knew that she had been acting
strange lately and often went missing. I never thought she would hurt others. If I had, I would have
stopped her.”
Laura snorted and said nothing.
I was so nervous that I broke into a cold sweat. I couldn’t tell if she believed me or not.



“Now that you’ve found the culprit, what are you going to do?” Laura turned to Rufus and asked
pointedly.

From the moment Coco admitted her guilt to when she pleaded for mercy, Rufus didn’t say anything. He
just looked at us coldly, his expression completely unreadable. “It’s up to you, Mother,” Rufus finally said.
I instantly felt relieved. Laura was way more easygoing compared to her son. If everything went well, I
would be able to protect Coco. I secretly looked at Coco reassuringly. “Okay. It’ll be simpler if you let me
deal with it,” Laura said with a cryptic smile. It was a relief to hear that. Laura was probably going to let
Coco off lightly. “Execute her.” Laura coldly ordered her men to drag Coco out of the hall without
hesitation. Coco immediately burst into sobs, her face a deathly pale. “Miss Quinn, help me! Please! I
don’t want to die!” I was standing next to Laura, completely stunned. I felt so numb that I didn’t dare to
speak. How could Queen Laura be so cruel? “Miss Quinn! Please! Say something!” Coco was still
begging for mercy, her eyes filled with desperation. Suddenly, her expression turned fierce and she
shouted, “I wasn’t-” “Gag this bitch and get her out of here!” Laura interrupted Coco aggressively. “How
dare a maid covet a prince?” With her mouth blocked, Coco could do nothing but cry uncontrollably. She
glared at me with resentment, 1 avoided her burning gaze, feeling as though I would reach my breaking
point any second now. My mind was a complete mess. After Coco was dragged away, Rufus didn’t stay
any longer. Before he left, he glanced at me for the first time. “Please have Alina sent away as soon as
possible, Mother,” Rufus said to Laura indifferntly. Then he left. Despite his cold words, I still felt relieved.
As long as Laura was on my side, there would still be room to maneuver But to my surprise, Laura’s
attitude changed completely the second Rufus left. She looked at me with cold disdain and said, “I
thought you were a smart girl. Turns out that you’re also an idiot.”


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