The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 553

Cowering in the corner, Leonard stared wide–eyed in terror.

Every hair on his back stood on end.

Leonard thought while a cold sweat ran down his spine, If I’d gotten to the food before the rat, that corpse on the ground would be me.

“Whoever is trying to silence me must be afraid I’ll expose them.

I must be an utter fool. Here I am, holding my tongue in this cell for the greater good.

But the Queen, Prince Fermin, even the duke’s estate–not a single one of them has shown their face.

“Even if the Queen can’t come, what about Nicolas?

“As Vice Minister of Justice, if he wanted to see me, he could have found a way.

“But not only are they avoiding me, they’re actually trying to have me killed.

‘This is too much.

“If they can be so ruthless, I’ll return the favor.

Having made up his mind, Leonard dragged himself laboriously to the cell door and shouted hoarsely, “Guards, I demand to see Prince Xander! I must see him now.”

His desperate cries echoed through the empty prison corridors, but no one responded.

Hidden in a shadowy corner of the prison, Xander, who had been patiently lying in wait, let a faint, satisfied smile tug at the corner of his lips.

He finished the final stroke of the character and softly murmured to himself, “It’s done.”

Ansel let out a surprised chuckle. “Prince Xander, your foresight is truly divine. If you hadn’t made these arrangements in advance, Leonard wouldn’t

have cracked so quickly.

At Ansel’s feet writhed a man, trussed up and gagged with a rag.

He was the prison guard who had just delivered Leonard’s meal

ast an icy gaze at Leonard, then turned to Ansel and commanded, “Bring him here.”

Xander casta

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ansel replied promptly, turning to fetch Leonard.

Before long, several guards dragged Leonard forward.

With great effort, he dropped to his knees, all traces of his former arrogance gone.

Xander fored Leonard with an icy stare. An invisible, suffocating pressure instantly swept through Leonard, chilling him to the bone.

Leonard knew there was no way out for him now. Hatred flickered in his eyes as he said, “Yes, was involved in General Perkins‘ case, but I wasn’t acting alone. Tell me, Prince Xander. Do you know who it was that turned him in?”

Of course, Xander was unaware of this. At the time, he was still stationed at the frontier garrison,

Leonard was being deliberately vague, clearly trying to negotiate terms.

21:05 Sun, 27 Jul

Chapter 553

But this was the Federal Bureau. If he wanted to bargain, he’d have to prove his value.

“Continue,” Xander said calmly, showing no trace of impatience.

Leonard gritted his teeth and pleaded, “Your Highness, I know my crimes are so grave they deserve death, and I dare not beg for my own life. But my daughter is truly innocent. All I ask is that you spare her life. If Your Highness grants this, I will confess everything.”

Xander fixed him with a steely gaze. “I represent the law. There is no room for mercy. General Perkins‘ family and the Rogers family were innocent, yet many of them died. Even Viscountess Athena nearly lost her life because of this case.

“You have committed monstrous crimes, yet you expect me to spare your daughter? How laughable.”

Ansel kicked the bound killer forward, then rounded on Leonard and scoffed, “So your daughter’s life matters, but no one else’s does! Prince Xander hasn’t even had her arrested. That’s already cutting you a huge break. And you actually expect him to help raise your daughter? What a pipe dream!

“Even if you don’t confess, we’ve got the evidence. Take a look at this.

He flung the killer’s badge from their waist onto the ground in front of Leonard.

The character “Monson” was clearly carved on the badge.