Chapter 192

[Evelyn’s POV]

I hissed sharply under my breath; my eyes gaping wide at Alexander’s overly casual posture. He leaned back against the edge of his desk and shrugged.

“Have you lost your freaking mind? You blackmailed the King?”

Alexander had the actual nerve to chuckle at the severity of the situation. “I’d hardly call it blackmail,” he said lightly. “I simply gave the bastard a choice. One that he would be wise enough to make on his own before I decide for him.”

Oliver and I were stunned.

I’d already been harboring an irritating headache having just finished giving my personal interview with one of the major news outlets. It was fine. I wasn’t planning on ever revisiting the topic for a long time, if ever. But I was more than ready to place it all behind me now.

I was glad that the journalist who’d been asking me all the questions was kind enough not to press any further than necessary. Oliver had set up everything in advance so that if I wished to stop at any given time I was able to.

But it wasn’t necessary. I took each question in stride and was able to stick it out till the end. I’d told them about my upbringing with Isabella as my Stepmother and even commented a few times about Samantha. Naturally, I was asked if I thought Samantha deserved her own punishment since she was, technically, involved in my torture.

“Samantha is someone whose entire life has been controlled and manipulated by Isabella. She knows nothing about how to be a proper Luna and doesn’t possess a single ounce of her own personality. With her mother now behind bars, she will be lost. Samantha will have to be forced to finally think for herself,” I told them. “To some people, that’s punishment all on its own.”

It wasn’t as though we had any physical evidence to use against Samantha anyway. Isabella was always the main target to knock down. Now that she can’t do any more harm, Samantha would be left stranded and clueless.

Right as I was seeing the journalist out, I noticed Alexander walking back into the house. I was struck with a questionable look on my face. I didn’t even know that he had plans to leave.

Oliver stood close by with a noticeable look of concern on his face.

“Where were you?” I asked.

The corner of his mouth curled into a smile. “I’d been summoned by the Royal bastard.”

My heart sank straight to my stomach. “What? What the hell, why didn’t you tell me?”

“You were in the middle of your interview and I didn’t see it necessary to interrupt. It’s important that you have this moment. Plus, the meeting lasted for all of ten minutes, if that. It was hardly even worth the drive,” he stated evenly.

Regardless, I was not happy. We followed Alexander into his study where he proceeded to explain the nature of the meeting.

It came as no surprise that the King was less than thrilled to have been indirectly called out by Alexander right after the court hearing. Frankly, I was half-expecting the man to put out his own warrant for arrest.

“Sir, I have to agree with Evelyn on this one,” Oliver said.

We both watched as Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose while letting out a long breath.

“Look, I know it may sound rather brazen what I’ve decided to do. But I’m refusing to push this whole thing off for any longer.”

I knew he’d been compiling his own file of evidence on Gregory. But was it enough to make the man actually step down from the throne? I lightly shook my head and silently prayed that Alexander hadn’t just made a terribly rash mistake.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

We all turned our heads to see Nina peeking through the doorway.

“Apologies for the interruption. But it seems that your Stepmother is here,” she said.

I turned back to glance at Alexander whose expression flattened into a stern line. What on earth could she want?

“Thank you, Nina. Have Caroline placed in the drawing room, we’ll be right out.”

I truly couldn’t think of a single reason why Caroline, of all people, would dare show her face around here. Now that Fiona and Michael were locked away, there was no one left for her to manipulate anymore.

The coiled nerves in my stomach had barely calmed before we were all making our way toward the drawing room. Caroline, as usual, was dressed in her impeccable style without a flaw to be seen.

“Caroline,” Alexander acknowledged.

She pursed her lips and smiled. “Alexander. I simply came to extend my congratulations on your most recent win on court.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why do I find that so hard to believe?” I asked tightly. “I would have thought that you of all people would be at least somewhat upset about the fact that Fiona has now been sentenced to prison.”

“Much like your son,” Alexander added, mockingly.

Caroline’s smile instantly dropped. The corner of her eye twitched with mild irritation for the intentional dig.

“You know, it would be wise for you to not go out of your way to personally piss off the king,” she said pointedly.

Alexander’s eyes darkened as he took several steps closer to the older woman. He practically towered over her like a hulking wall.

“Let me guess, after my little bullshit meeting with Gregory, he got upset and decided to reach out to you. Correct? He told you how I insisted that he step down from his title, otherwise I would be forced to take some real action against him. I meant it.”

Caroline clenched her jaw as she spoke. “You don’t know who you’re messing with. Gregory has people hidden everywhere they are willing to do anything he says. All he has to do is give the order and it’s done.”

“Is that supposed to intimidate me?” he asked tauntingly. “This is the same man who had his own hand in my assassination attempt and failed miserably.”

Caroline took half a step back and tore her eyes away. “I have no idea what you mean.”

“Spare me the bullshit. Gregory is just as guilty as Michael is. Even you.”

The whites of her eyes grew wide as she planted her hands on her lips. “I had nothing to do with that attack.”

“Save it, Caroline. We all know that it was you who orchestrated the entire plan. After all, you’re the one who’s always whispering in the King’s ear as well as filling Michael’s head with stupidity.”

“You have nothing on me,” she said.

“Really? Are you so sure about that?” Alexander deepened his scowl. “I have witnesses who’d be willing to testify about your involvement in the car crash. Better yet, why don’t I just go down to the prison myself and speak to Michael? If I were to strike up some kind of a deal with him in order to get the whole truth, how quickly do you think he’d be willing to talk?”

“Why don’t you do everyone a favor and leave?” I inquired. “Disappear. Leave the King’s side or you can fall like the rest of the Royals.”

Caroline turned to glare at me with sheer contempt.

“She’s right, Caroline.”

A strong feminine voice called from the doorway. Wendy stepped further into the room.

“You have no place here. Once I finally decide to retire, all of the finances and responsibilities will be handed over to Evelyn,” she claimed. “You will never have a chance to ruin the Kingston family name ever again.”

“Now, you have a choice to make,” I said.