Chapter 14%
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Davina’s POV
My grandfather stared at me, his face like thunder.
“I know it’s been rough on you out there all these years, but you’ve humiliated the royal family.“}
I blinked, my heart pounding–and not out of guilt, but rage.}
‘Humiliated the royal family? I’m the one who got dragged through the mud, used, lied about, tossed aside–and now I’m the disgrace?!‘}
“I’ve arranged a marriage for you. A prince from Sweden. He’s older, but at least he doesn’t mind that you were previously engaged. You’ll leave tomorrow.”}
I clenched my fists to keep from screaming. “And what about the Ashbournes?“}
He scoffed. “Just a bunch of low–class businessmen. We don’t need to touch them. Behave and go through with the marriage, and I’ll leave them alone.”
I stared him down, voice cold and deliberate.
“Then you better keep your word. Exactly.“}
He clearly didn’t like my tone. Sucks for him–I was already walking away.
‘Royal family? What a damn joke.‘
Grandpa Gilbert told me the truth. The royal family’s drowning in debt. Every business venture they’ve touched? Total disaster. They’ve been borrowing from every country willing to listen, just to keep up the royal image. And the Ashbournes? They’re actually one of the biggest creditors keeping this mess afloat.}]
This marriage to the prince of Sweden?}
They’re literally trying to sell me off to pay down their debt.}
Though Grandpa Gilbert and Humphrey both told me not to worry about any sanctions from the royal family, my heart ached every time I saw the internet flooded with attacks against them.
‘I shouldn’t let the people I love carry so much for me…‘
At the same time, I was praying that Humphrey would soon uncover whatever tricks Cleo had up her sleeve…
Humphrey’s POV
I had someone bring Cleo back to our estate. At home, she acted every bit the lady of the house. She took my card and went on a shopping spree.}}
She swiped it like it was nothing–millioris worth of jewelry, limited edition clothes, burning through the credit limits of a dozen black cards in a single day. She even demanded the bedroom in the estate be renovated, claiming, “A pregnant woman needs a better environment.”
Grandpa was so furious he nearly ended up in the hospital, but he held back and only said one thing. “If she wants to make a mess, let her.“”
I, on the other hand, pretended not to care.
I became uncharacteristically attentive, frequently dining and drinking with that woman, acting utterly doting.
“My lady, that dress looks beautiful on you today. It really suits you.“} “You’re so gentle–you’re truly the most elegant woman I’ve ever met.””
Finally, thanks to my efforts, Cleo was convinced that I had fallen for her.
As she basked in the glow of her imagined charm and completely let her guard down, I got her drunk.
I lured her into the study, saying I wanted to prepare “a plan for the baby’s future.”
“My lady.” I smiled as I handed her a drink. “For our prince–cheers.”
Cleo downed it all in one go and collapsed onto the couch.”
I knelt down before her and gently asked, “My lady, since we’re going to be family sooner or later, you should at least tell me… is the child really mine?”
The alcohol had taken over her. Her eyes were dazed, her mind fuzzy.!!
“Of course not,” she muttered. “You never even touched me… The DNA test was done by someone I knew… You just had to act stubborn and kick me out back then, but now look–aren’t you in love with me…“#
Before she could finish, I had already recorded everything clearly with a voice recorder.
Davina’s POVE
I wasn’t just sitting still, doing my own digging.
The Prince of Sweden? Sounds dignified–he’s anything but
From his looks to his manners, it was all a carefully constructed image
Even more absurd, after I had someone investigate him, I discovered he was a complete disaster–addicted to gambling, drunk like a fish, constantly caught up in scandals. He was blacklisted by half of Sweden’s noble families.
‘And now they want to ship me off so he can use my name to take out more loans? Come on!‘
I gathered every bit of dirt–photos, proof, even recordings of him negotiating with debt collectors–and sent it all to the royal family’s
1:22 PM d
private inbox.
Less than 24 hours later, the palace was in chaos.
“Your Highness, you did the right thing.”
The royal envoy came to see me again–but this time, his tone wasn’t condescending.”
“The engagement with the Sweden prince is officially canceled. And…”
He glanced at me and continued in a serious voice, “Based on hard evidence provided by the Ashbournes, Miss Penrose’s paternity claim has been confirmed as fraud.
“The sanctions against the Ashbournes are lifted.
“If you still want to marry the young master… we won’t stand in your way.“}
I stood there in the hallway, staring out at the familiar western sky.”
In the distance, Humphrey stepped out of a car, still dressed in his black shirt, walking toward me against the light.
“So. You still want to marry me?” I asked.M
He came closer, his gaze impossibly serious.
“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”W
