Page 92 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

With a sigh, he covered his face with his hands, wondering if Elena would even show up for breakfast today. The comment Stephen had made about Chloe being afraid of him popped into his mind. Did he have a darker side than he liked to admit?

The shadows of doubt weren’t just cast by Stephen’s actions but also his own insecurities. Had his part with Chloe left scars too deep to build a future with Elena?

He reached for his phone, intent on texting Elena to confirm their breakfast date when a pounding at his door startled him.

He groaned, letting his head thud back against the soft pillow. “Go away,” he murmured.

“Nate!” his father’s voice boomed from the other side of the barrier.

The banging sounded again, making his head thud. With a growl, he tossed back his covers and climbed from his bed. “Coming!”

He pulled the door open to find his father’s displeased face on the other side. “I want to see you downstairs in my office before breakfast.”

Nate’s forehead creased as he scrunched his features. “Okay.”

“Better get a move on or you’ll be late.” With the last sharp words, his father strode down the hall away from him.

Nate stared after the man for a moment before he eased his door closed, still wondering what the issue was. He crossed his room to grab his phone again, wincing at the time. His father was right. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be late.

He dropped it on the duvet in favor of a quick shower and change of clothes. Hopefully, Elena wasn’t ditching him. He guessed he’d find out when he got to the dining room.

He rolled his eyes as he tugged on his jacket as the image of Stephen’s smug smirk from across the table floated through his mind. If she didn’t show up, he wouldn’t be able to handle his brother’s haughtiness.

Before he left the room, he typed a quick message and sent it.You remembered breakfast, right?

He slid his phone into his pocket as he left his room behind, navigating the opulent halls before he descended the stairs. As he traversed the back hall toward his father’s private office, his phone chimed.

He smiled at the message beaming from the screen.I did. I’m quite good at appointments.The smiley face that followed the words eased his nerves a little. At least she wasn’t calling it quits after the fight last night.

He strode into his father’s office, depositing the phoneinto his pocket again. He stopped dead as his feet hit the thick area rug under the desk and chairs.

Stephen slouched in one chair while his father sat behind the desk.

Nate’s features tugged into a frown as he smoothed his tie against his shirt and eased into the other. “Do we both need to be here at the same time?”

“I’d rather not see you either,” Stephen shot back.

“Enough,” his father said as he rose from his executive chair and stalked around the side of the desk. He slapped a newspaper down in front of them. “Which of you would like to tell me why the Kingsleys are front page news?”

Nate shifted in his seat as he stared at the black and white image of him and Stephen wrestling on the ground underneath the bold headline:BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS BRAWL.

He pressed his lips together into a tight line as he squeezed his fingers into fists.

“I will,” Stephen answered. “Nate can’t keep his mouth shut.”

Charles flicked his gaze to his oldest son. “You have anything to say about that?”

Nate’s jaw clenched as he chose his words. “Maybe I wouldn’t have mouthed off if Stephen’s little hussy wouldn’t have accused Ellie of cheating.”

“That’s it,” Stephen said as he leapt to his feet, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

“Oh, you want to go again?” Nate asked as he leapt up. “Didn’t get enough last night after that cheap shot you took?”

Charles squeezed between them, pushing them back. “That’s enough. We’re not going for round two.”

“We will be if he doesn’t stop calling Chloe names!” Stephen shouted, waving a finger in Nate’s face.

“Maybe if she stopped accusing other people of thingsshe’s guilty of–“

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