Novel Xo
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Ellia had a guilty expression and looked like she was about to breakdown in tears. Lucianne asked, “Ellia, what’s wrong? Are some of the archives missing?”
She shook her head, “No. It’s..Goddess, I’m so sorry. Uh…a while ago, shortly after you ascended the throne, my King, a few of us were ordered to…manipulate the finances for…a few of the governing members. We were warned that…if the real information was leaked, they will target our families…our kids, when we come to have kids.” She then looked at Russell on Lucianne’s lap as Ben held their daughter in his arms. 1
The three of them were stunned. Lucianne was the first to recover, “Ellia, what are you saying? (This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com)Does it mean what you’re printing now has been manipulated?”
She nodded and tears started flowing uncontrollably from her eyes to her cheeks as she knelt on both knees on the floor and kept saying ‘I’m sorry‘ over and over again. Lucianne got up hurriedly from the couch, and gave Russell to Xandar to hold as she went to kneel before
Ellia. With her hands on Ellia’s shoulders, Lucianne said in a calm, soothing voice, “Ellia, it’s okay. You didn’t have a choice. It’s not your fault. Please, don’t worry.”
Christian mind-linked Xandar, ‘Cuz, if I didn’t just hear what I just heard, I would be laughing that you have to hold that boy right now. This fund-mishandling has been going on for years?!” 1
‘When we find out who’s been doing this. They’ll wish they were dead.’
Lucianne got Ellia to stand. After a few more sobs, Ellia can now form coherent sentences. Her eyes were still fixed on the ground as she uttered, “These have been manipulated but uh …” she sobbed once before continuing, “I have the hard copies of the originals before the manipulation was done.(This novel
will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com) We were told to get rid of it outside office premises. Because I’m the most senior here, they let me take it. I tried to get rid of them but I never managed to go through with it. I was always afraid that the recycling personnel would understand what was on the papers so I just kept them in my home office locked up in a few safes. I am so sorry.”
Lucianne then asked, “You mentioned there are others who have been blackmailed. Who?”
“Uh, Brigetta Reese a-and Oscar Wildrow, my assistants. I am so sorry, my Queen. I am so, so sorry.”
Lucianne pulled the remorseful woman into a surprising hug and as she locked eyes with Ben, who looked equally guilty. In her firm voice, Lucianne said, “Ellia, this is not your fault. You and your assistants have been pushed to a corner. You had to protect your family. You had no choice. Don’t feel bad about it. You can still help us.”
She sobbed and released the Queen as she said, “Yes, I can get them for you. I just brought back the latest audits last night. I’ll hand them over…and I’ll just throw these out.”
“No.” Lucianne’s firm voice rang through the room like a command. Even Xandar’s head snapped up to await her orders. Lucianne then motioned to the printed documents and told Ellia, “We’ll take these as well. Your boss would hear from the other employees by now that we’re here. So if we left with those, it would get them to believe that any dirty hands remain clean, at least for a few more hours. But you and your family must relocate by tonight.”
She then turned to Xandar and Christian, who both had hard looks on their faces. “We need a location where no one, other than the two of you, have access to, to house the three families who have been blackmailed.” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
They both pondered for a moment before Xandar said, “Our homes should do. No one sane would think of walking through our doors uninvited.”
“Oh no, your Highness! We couldn’t intrude.” Benjamin exclaimed in shock.
Lucianne then explained, “It’s not an intrusion, Ben. Those corrupted ministers intruded when they started siphoning money from government funds. You and Ellia helped us. Now, w e must protect you and your family.”
-“Where do you live?” Christian asked.
Benjamin said, “Well, uh…up east, near 57th Street.”
Christian nodded, “That’s not very far from where my wife and I live. And the two assistants, Mrs Morgan?”
“They’re my neighbors. We’ve been friends even before working here. They know about me.. (This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com)still keeping the records.”
“Perfect.” Christian said with a smile, “My wife and I can look after all of you and your families while we clean up this mess. You should tell them soon and pack quickly. You’ll all b e sleeping in my guest rooms tonight.”
“Thank you, your Grace.” Benjamin bowed and said with gratitude. His wife followed after.
Xandar then added, “I’ll ring up a few private guards to watch over your kids when they’re in school to make sure nothing happens them. They’ll be safe. And Benjamin, I’ll personally notify the hotel regarding your absence. You’ll still get your paycheck but we’ll have one of your colleagues take your place for a while.”
“Thank you, your Highness.” Benjamin said in relief.
“No,”Xandar said with a smile, “Thank you, Mr and Mrs Morgan. For choosing to help us, despite the risks.”
Ellia looked at the ground, still utterly guilty about almost lying to the rulers of the Kingdom. I n a soft voice, she said, “I thought I could do it. Handing you the wrong audits, that is. There were nights when I would picture myself doing it. Just to rehearse in case this day came. I’ve always feared that this day would come. But when it came to this moment, I couldn’t do it. I
just couldn’t.”
She looked at Lucianne, “My Queen, Ben has told me about you. You are whatever he said and more. Your demeanor, my Queen, only exudes good intentions. So when I was about to misuse the trust all of you have put in me, it felt…too much to bear. It felt too wrong for me to g o through it. I am so ashamed of myself for thinking of going against the very people who are there to protect us. But thank you, my Queen, for being so understanding.”
Without another word, Ellia grabbed a notepad from her desk and started scribbling something on the small sheet of white paper. She then handed the paper to Lucianne and said, “These are the names of the five people we were told to…not keep a correct record of. (This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com)The proof is all at home but I thought the three of you would like to know first.”
Xandar then suggested, “Lucy, sweetheart, you should hold on to that first. Don’t let Christian or I see it until we have the three families safely relocated. We might not be able to control our expressions or temper among these culprits if we see them later this evening. And if they see through us, the families won’t be safe.”
Lucianne turned to her mate and asked, “You trust me to control my expression and temper?”
“I do.” He said firmly with a smile. “You’ve had years of practice controlling what you feel about some of the ministers that you and the other werewolves loathe. This should be nothing to you. I trust you.”
“Okay.” She said as she scanned the names on the sheet of paper without emotion. She then folded it before slipping the note in between the cash she had in her purse. Xandar was right. Her face showed nothing. She didn’t look like she learned anything new at all. 3
Ellia was getting the printed papers from the machine when Lucianne suggested, “Maybe we
ull up the blinds for the employees to see that Ellia is handing over these printed documents to us, in case the boss has any favorites with prying eyes. It will seem more suspicious if we accept the information in an enclosed scene.” Lucianne was walking over to the windows but Benjamin exclaimed, (This novel will be daily updtaed at www.noveljar.com)“No! Your Highness, please. Let me.” Benjamin was quicker and pulled up the blinds.
Xandar and Christian noticed that Lucianne was right. No one looked at first. But as Ellia was checking whether the audits were in order on her desk, and stacked them up one after another, there were a few peeping Toms glancing through her office window. She then made a call on her office phone, “Hi, Edward. It’s Ellia. Can you and Tim come up here to get these documents for the Highnesses and his Grace, please?…alright, see you in a bit. Thank you.”
She then looked at the three of them and said, “They’ll come help you carry these. Thank you again, your Highnesses, your Grace.”
“Mrs Morgan,” Christian began, “What time do you clock-out?” “Six, your Grace.”
“Okay. Listen, I’m sending a car. The number plate is BLK 201. It’ll arrive at six. It’ll take you
and your family back home to pack. The driver will wait outside and a bodyguard will escort you all in to stand guard. Tell your assistants to pack and meet at your house. We’ll transport all of you to my home. I’ll let my wife know. She would have the rooms ready by then. Okay?”
Ellia nodded, “Thank you, your Grace.”
Christian offered a small smile, “No need. It’s the least we can do.” Knock. Knock