After a while, someone from the kitchen reported that the meal was ready. Carlton asked everyone to move to the dining room to start eating.


    "Maximilian, I''m going to the restroom."


    Maximilian nodded, "Alright, take your time."


    Seeing Katniss leave, a sh of malice crossed ra''s eyes. She turned and smiled sweetly at Desmond, "Desmond, I''m going to the restroom to touch up my makeup." Ever since Maximilian had said those things about Emily, Desmond''s face had been grim.


    Desmond only responded casually to ra''s words and didn''t pay her much attention.


    Taking advantage of no one noticing, ra got up and headed to the restroom. Katniss had just finished when she saw ra standing behind the restroom door.


    ra''s face was twisted with anger. Her gaze swept over the bracelet on Katniss''s hand, revealing a deep sense of reluctance. She lowered her voice, "Katniss, do you even know your ce?"


    "How dare you deliberately steal my spotlight and embarrass me."


    "In a prestigious family like the Boleyns, without support from your own family, how long do you think you can stay proud?"


    "And what about you?" Katniss raised a bright smile and retorted, "Are you about to die of anger?"


    "Anger?" ra smoothed her hair and looked down at Katniss, "You''re not worth my anger."


    "Whether in the Manners family or the Boleyn family, you will always be my defeated opponent."


    "Katniss, I advise you to recognize your ce early. Don''t think that just because you have Maximilian to rely on, everything will be fine."


    "The day you get kicked out, I will make sure you wish you were dead."


    Katniss listened quietly until she finished, then suddenly smirked and said to someone behind ra, "Grandpa, did you hear all that?"


    ra''s face turned pale. She quickly turned around to exin, "Grandpa, you misunderstood, Katniss and I were just..."


    Behind her, there was no one.


    ra''s heart went on a rollercoaster ride. Just as she was about to feel relieved, she realized she had been tricked by Katniss and became furious.


    She turned back, her fingers curled, as if all her hatred for Katniss had gathered in her hand, ready to scratch her face.


    Katniss''s pupils narrowed slightly.


    Just a second before ra''s hand couldnd, her breath suddenly hitched, and her whole body stiffened.


    At that moment, ra truly felt "petrified."


    She couldn''t make a sound.


    The only thing she could move was her eyes, which watched as Katniss calmly pulled a silver needle from her chest.


    Katniss waved it in front of her, a light smile blooming on her face, and ra was instantly engulfed in panic.


    Katniss took in all of ra''s fear, her smile widening, her voice mocking, "Scared now?"


    "ra, isn''t it a bitte? Weren''t you very arrogant when you were cursing me just now?"


    "Why don''t you learn your lesson? Haven''t I warned you that I''m no longer the foolish and ridiculous Katniss I used to be!"


    Katniss extended her hand, the silver needle tracing slowly along ra''s brow and eyes, the tip seemingly about to pierce ra''s eye at any moment.


    ra''s scalp tingled, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t move an inch.


    Her eyes were the only things that could move, ring at Katniss with all her might.


    What had Katniss done to her?


    She would never let Katniss get away with this!


    "ra, remember this lesson well."


    As if reading ra''s thoughts, Katniss''s eyes turned icy cold. She leaned in close to ra and said word by word, "ra, learn to behave in the future."


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s is where the adventure continues. Join us for the


    "If youe to provoke me again, or send someone to provoke me."


    "I guarantee, you will regret it!"


    ra''s eyes turned red with anger, wishing she could kill Katniss.


    Katniss calmly put away the silver needle and waved her hand, "Goodbye, take your time reflecting here."


    With that, ra watched as Katniss turned and walked away!


    Katniss really dared to leave her here?


    Katniss returned to the dining room nonchntly and sat in the empty seat next to Maximilian.


    Maximilian''s deep, pleasant voice sounded, "Why did you take so long?"


    "Oh," Katniss smiled, "I ran into a dog blocking my way, so I gave it a simple lesson."


    Maximilian chuckled, grabbed her hand, and picked up a white napkin, "Dogs carry a lot of germs, wipe your hands, don''t get them dirty."


    He began to wipe each of Katniss''s fingers one by one.


    His cold, handsome face was serious.


    Katniss blinked. With acting skills like this, no one would ever suspect they were a "fake couple," even if they acted for a hundred years.


    Since Maximilian was so supportive, Katniss felt she couldn''t fall behind. She leaned closer to Maximilian, her eyes smiling, her posture intimate.


    Across the table, Desmond''s forehead veins bulged as he forced himself not to look at Katniss.


    Next to him, Emily sensed Desmond''s emotions and urately patted his leg under the table.


    "Go check on your fiancée. It''s been a while, and she hasn''te back yet."


    With Emily''s reminder, Desmond remembered ra. He frowned and said in a low voice, "Alright, I''ll go now."


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! When Desmond arrived outside the restroom, he saw ra standing there like a statue. He raised his wrist to check the time and walked towards ra, "ra, why are you still here? The banquet is about to start, and you''re the only one missing."


    As he got closer, Desmond noticed ra''s face was covered in tears, her expression pained and aggrieved.


    Desmond''s heart ached as he held her shoulders, "What happened?"


    After Desmond touched her, ra''s previously stiff body felt like she could move again, but her legs were weak, and she fell into Desmond''s arms.


    ra''s long arms tightly hugged him, sobbing, "It was Katniss. I don''t know what she did, but I couldn''t move. She even tried to kill me with a silver needle. Desmond, Katniss is crazy. She wants to kill me!"


    Desmond''s eyes turned cold, "Katniss? How could she? Where would she get the courage?"


    "Desmond, why would I lie to you? I really thought I was going to die just now!" ra''s voice was soft and delicate, like a feather brushing against his heart. She trembled in his arms, making Desmond feel both heartache and pity. Desmond''s anger boiled in his chest, but he was also puzzled. Katniss was timid and weak; how could she dare to kill?


    But ra had no reason to lie to him.


    He wanted to rush over and confront Katniss, but today was a family banquet, and it


    was ra''s first time at the Boleyn Manor as his fiancée. He couldn''t let anything go


    wrong.


    His parents already had reservations about ra. If he caused a scene with Katniss


    now...


    Desmond softened his actions, patting her back, though his face grew darker.


    "Don''t be afraid. I''ll find a way to get back at her for you." His thoughts raced like a river, and he gently rubbed ra''s hair, "Let''s not talk about this now. Stop crying, let''s go back."


    "Okay."


    ra bit her lip hard, her lowered eyshes hiding a cold, sharp glint.


    She wasn''t afraid of the Boleyn family. What was there to fear from a dying man? Once Maximilian was dead, all this wealth would belong to Desmond, and to her!