Chapter 8 - WHY EVELYN WANTED A QUEEN
Helena could not understand it.
“If you knew who I was, why humiliate me?”
Evelyn’s answer was almost insulting in its simplicity.
“Because I needed to know what you wanted.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“You placed my sister under surveillance.”
“I investigated a woman marrying my son.”
“You obtained a diplomatic passport illegally.”
Evelyn shrugged.
“Then file a complaint.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“I already have.”
For the first time, uncertainty passed through Evelyn’s eyes.
Daniel opened another folder.
Inside were printouts of Helena’s meetings, travel history, and royal family connections.
Beside several names, Evelyn had written notes.
ACCESS.
CONTRACT.
MINISTRY.
SOVEREIGN APPROVAL.
Daniel looked sick.
“You weren’t trying to get rid of Helena.”
Evelyn said nothing.
“You wanted access to her.”
Helena finally understood.
The humiliation had served two purposes.
If Helena left Daniel, Evelyn eliminated the threat.
If Helena stayed, Evelyn learned exactly how much abuse the relationship could survive.
Then she could weaponize the marriage.
Adrian picked up a document.
It was a draft letter addressed to Varenne’s Minister of Defense.
The letter proposed “preferential consideration” for Hawthorne Defense after the royal marriage.
Helena looked at Evelyn.
“You planned to use my wedding.”
“I planned to strengthen both families.”
“My crown is not a business asset.”
“Everything is an asset.”
The answer came without hesitation.
Daniel stared at his mother as though seeing her for the first time.
“No wonder Grandfather never trusted you.”
Evelyn slapped him.
The sound cracked through the room.
Sophie gasped.
Daniel did not move.
Evelyn’s hand remained suspended between them.
For thirty-five years, Daniel had tolerated his mother’s cruelty because he believed cruelty was simply the price of her competence.
Now he saw something else.
Desperation.
He gently lowered her wrist.
“Never touch me again.”
Evelyn’s face twisted.
“You would throw away this family for a woman who lied about her name?”
Daniel looked toward Helena.
“No.”
Helena’s heart sank.
Then Daniel turned back.
“I’m throwing away what you turned this family into.”
Evelyn went silent.
Daniel pulled out his phone.
He called Hawthorne Capital’s general counsel.
“This is Daniel.”
A pause.
“Cancel Monday’s Sterling merger vote.”
Evelyn stepped toward him.
“You cannot do that.”
“I just did.”
“You’ll destroy us.”
“No.”
He looked at Madison, who had appeared in the doorway.
“I think I just stopped you from doing it.”
Madison’s face hardened.
Daniel continued.
“Freeze every transaction involving Sterling Meridian.”
Madison crossed the room.
“You have no grounds.”
Daniel looked at her.
“I have fourteen million reasons.”
Her face changed.
Only slightly.
But Helena saw it.
So did Adrian.
Madison knew about the payments.
She turned toward the door.
Two Royal Guards moved into her path.
“This is America,” Madison snapped.
Adrian smiled.
“Yes.”
He gestured toward two men entering behind the guards.
They were not royal officers.
May you like
They carried federal credentials.
“And those gentlemen are American.”
