The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1316

“Lottie…”

“It’s okay.” Charlotte pressed Nora’s shoulder gently, guiding her into a chair. She shot her a reassuring glance and smiled, looking totally at ease. “The real show’s about to start anyway. No point in you standing around when you haven’t fully recovered.”

Anthony poured a glass of water and placed it near Nora, his voice soft and respectful. “Mom, have some water.”

He then dug through his bag, pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and handed it to Charlotte.

Seeing how relaxed they were, Nora stole a glance at Franco, her panic simmering just beneath the surface. But if Lottie said it’d be fine, then she believed her. No need to worry.

“You two are awfully calm,” Aloys said, his gaze fixed on Charlotte. He let out a cold laugh and couldn’t help but push, “Franco, you’ve got two minutes left.”

“Trying to threaten me?” Franco’s lips curled into a smirk. Even with age in his features, he still looked striking. “Only two people in this world can actually threaten me.”

“My wife and my daughter. Everyone else…” Franco’s laugh was cold. He looked right at Aloys, his words slow and deliberate. “Allanson never managed to control me. You think you can?”

Aloys’s face stiffened, his smile fading.

Allanson and Franco’s family—he wanted them all gone.

But before he could say anything else, chaos erupted at the front door. Gunshots rang out, sharp and loud against the walls of the villa.

“Aloys.” One of his men hurried to his side, worry etched across his face. “Solenia’s people and the X Organization are moving in on us.”

There were way more of them than expected, and they moved with clear skill. With Allanson’s men helping out, it was becoming a real struggle to hold them back.

“Father!” Marcia burst in, her face pale. “Someone’s helping Solenia’s group get onto the island…”

“And the one leading them isn’t Damaris. It’s…”

The man hesitated, then finished, “It’s Mr. Churchill himself.”

Mr. Churchill? Marcia’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected him. For a moment, she was stunned, caught off guard.

Why him?

After a few seconds, a slow smile crept onto her face and kept growing.

He’d finally caved to save himself.