Submitting to My Lycan Prince Mate

126 Maria's Trump Card

Claire's POV

"Chris is here?!"

Louis frowned and shot a sharp, dagger-like look at Maria. "Did you arrange this too?" "You needn't think so poorly of me, Prince Louis."

Seeing a way out, Maria quickly shed her tearful demeanor, a hint of smugness replacing it. "I'm just a mother. When a child is separated from his mother, he will naturally want to find his mother. It's inevitable."

While Maria's expression revealed her satisfaction, Louis's face darkened completely. The air grew thick with impending danger. Everyone present held their breath, fearing they might be the one to ignite Prince Louis's wrath.

"Prince Louis, please believe me, I really didn't—"

"Stop thinking you can always use Chris to escape punishment, Maria."

Louis lifted his chin, looking down at Maria with cold disdain. He delivered a nearly threatening warning, "You will pay for your crimes. Remember my words."

"Louis, I—"

Before she could finish, Louis grabbed my hand and walked out, ignoring Maria entirely. As we passed the guards, Louis issued another command.

"Take Andy Barton to the dungeon. I will interrogate him myself."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Maria's POV

After Louis left the room with Claire, the guards lifted the slumped Andy, preparing to take him to the dungeon.

"Help me, Maria! Please, save me!"

Andy cried, clutching my arm. "Beg Prince Louis for mercy, dear. I don't want to die!"

"Who's your dear?!"

I shook off his hand in disgust and quickly stepped aside to avoid getting entangled with this mess again.

"From now on, pray to the Moon Goddess, Andy. Only she can save you now."

"No! Maria! Don't go! Damn it! Maria!!"

Rolling my eyes, I covered my ears and practically ran out of the room.

Breathless, I finally reached the hall and let out a sigh of relief. That was close; I almost got dragged down by those two idiots.

"Mommy!"

Before I could react, my son Chris rushed into my arms.

Looking at my son's rosy cheeks and remembering the perilous moment earlier, I couldn't help but kiss his forehead.

"Good boy, you came just in time!"

"The driver brought me."

Proudly, Chris lifted his little head, "But Mommy, why did we come to Prince Louis's castle?" "Because..."

I glanced at the guards and servants standing nearby, then leaned close to Chris's ear and lowered my voice, "Because this place won't just be Louis's home; it will also be yours one day. We're just getting familiar with it early."

"Oh, I see."

Chris had a thoughtful expression but quickly forgot about it. "But I still like our current home better! Let's go home, Mommy."

"Alright, let's go home."

I picked up Chris and walked out of the castle gates under the watchful eyes of the guards. A black sedan was already parked on the lawn, and before I could get close, the driver had opened the door for me.

Before getting into the car, I looked back at the towering, ancient castle tower, feeling a resolute and intense desire. I had sacrificed so much to get this far; I wouldn't give up now.

This place would be mine.

The car quickly took Chris and me back home. Chris had fallen asleep during the long and boring journey, but I remained exceptionally alert.

I knew the shadow of death still loomed over me, manipulated by the most powerful man in the werewolf world, Prince Louis.

"No, I can't sit around waiting to die."

Anxiety and unease made me pace the room. I bit my nails, desperately seeking a lifeline.

I had completely lost Louis's trust. Even though he hadn't imprisoned me, I knew he still considered me an accomplice in forging the letter with Garfield Evans... Wait, Garfield Evans! I stopped pacing, my mind flashing with his image.

What if Evans admitted to forging the letter on his own? He was so loyal to Liam, even after Liam's death, he continued scheming to make Chris the emperor.

But if I were convicted of treason, Chris would also be implicated and lose his chance to inherit the throne. Evans couldn't let that happen, could he?!

A smile crept across my face.

A brilliant plan formed in my mind. I picked up the phone on the table and called my assistant.

"Betty, get in touch with the beta of the Black Mountain pack. Yes, Garfield Evans's most loyal subordinate." "Tell him I want to meet him. There are some things about Evans that he and his people need to know."