Page 89 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“I’m not drunk!” he shouted at her.

“I know that, Nathan,” she said, taking his hand in hers. “I believe you. That’s what we’re trying to prove.”

“Or disprove,” he said, his lips tugging into a frown.

“No, darling. I believe you. We all believe you. But we need to prove it.”

He let his head fall back against the cushion behind him.

“Nathan, it’s true. We believe you. I think Eric did it. That’s what we need to prove.”

“Prince Eric?” Charles asked with his eyebrows furrowed.

Elena nodded. “Yes. He gave Nathan the punch. I believe he put something in it. Alexander is trying to retrieve the drink now, but we can test Nathan’s blood.”

Alexander hurried into the room, puffing for breath. “I have the glass. And the unfortunate news that your father is asking after you.”

Elena rose and smoothed her dress. “I will go to him. Will you stay and oversee this?”

“Absolutely,” he answered. “I’ll let you know the moment we know anything.”

“Try to relax, darling. We’re going to prove that you are right,” she said to Nate before she kissed his cheek. “I’ll check in on you soon.”

Elena hurried across the room to Alexander. “Do not let that blood sample out of your sight. I don’t trust Eric.”

“Of course.” Alexander offered her a nod before she slipped from the room, returning to the ball. She scanned the crowd in search of her father.

She found him talking to Lord and Lady Montgomery across the room. As she stepped toward him, Eric sidelined her, grabbing her arm and leading her to the side. “And how is poor Mr. Kingsley?”

She yanked her arm from his grasp. “Fine, no thanks to you.”

“To me?” He offered her a confused glance. “What are you saying?”

Elena pressed her lips together, stopping herself from accusing him of drugging Nate. She didn’t want to tip her hand. She needed proof before she outedwhat he’d done. And she didn’t want there to be any tampering with the results.

“You’ve been pushing at him and pushing at him.”

Eric’s features twisted from astounded to consoling. “Elena, darling…I know how you feel about him. This must be so very difficult to realize he doesn’t have what it takes for this lifestyle.”

“He was fine until you confronted him.”

“He will be confronted by many people as your spouse. I’ve done you a favor. Now, you realize before it’s too late.”

Her lips tugged into a pout.

“Let’s go somewhere quiet, darling. Where we can talk.”

She shook her head. I must go to my father.”

“He’ll understand, darling. Come with me.”

“No,” she said as she pushed past him. “I must go.”

She grimaced as she crossed the room, disgusted by the man’s desperate attempt to ruin her relationship with Nate.

“Ah, Elena, there you are,” King Frederick said as she sidled next to him.

She forced a smile onto her lips, making the expected small talk with her guests until the party wound down. As the final guest departed, she twisted to face her father. “I must check on Nathan.”

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