Page 93 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

No one would believe him then. Not with his track record.

Elena eased the door shut behind her, clicking her tongue as she approached him. “You poor darling. You don’t look well. Perhaps you ought to climb back into bed and remain there for the day.”

He pressed his lips together as he turned to face her, noticing her puffy eyes. Had she been crying? It tightened the knot in his stomach. “I’m ready to crawl under the bed and hide.”

“I’ll bet,” she said, her voice soft and consoling. “But I have good news.”

He creased his forehead as he studied her, waiting to hear it.

“The tests came back. You tested positive for phenobarbital as did the liquid in your glass. Someone drugged you.”

Nate scoffed, feeling both vindication and upset all at once. “Never thought I’d be so excited to hear those words.”

“I know,” she said as she wrinkled her nose. “I am sorry, darling. But…I’ve just spoken with my father and presented the evidence to him. So, now, he must change his mind. This bodes so well for us.”

Nate huffed out a sarcastic laugh. “I’m glad my drugging bodes well for our relationship.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she answered as she approached him and caressed his cheek.

“I’m sorry, I’m just…”

“Tired, unwell, I know. Why don’t we get you into bed. You need rest.” She led him toward the bed and motioned for him to climb in.

He shook his head. “I don’t want to go to sleep.”

She gave him another consoling smile. “I understand. How about some breakfast or tea?”

“No.” He paced the floor at the foot of the bed. “What did you mean when you said your father must change his mind?”

Elena shifted her weight from foot to foot, wincing. “Well…”

He stopped his meandering to stare at her.

“Last night, Father assumed…he misjudged and…"

“And what?” Nate questioned.

Elena pressed her lips into a thin line. “He made his decision about our relationship.”

Nate’s heart plummeted at the words. “I assume I’m not suitable.”

His voice shook as he choked out the words.

“Darling, please don’t let this tiny setback upset you. Things looked rather grim. But with the evidence in your favor, he cannot ignore it.”

“He couldn’t give me the benefit of the doubt, either, could he?” Nate spat.

“I was not happy about it either. I argued with him, but…he wouldn’t hear it. But now…”

“Now that you took a blood test to prove his first choicedrugged me…maybe I’ll be accepted? I mean, you didn’t say I was, right?”

“Alexander and I presented the evidence this morning. He has not made a final decision as of yet.”

Nate’s nostrils flared as he shook his head and resumed his pacing. “Because he’s going to say no.”

“We don’t know that. And given what Eric has done, he’s certainly not a suitable option.”

Nate whipped around to face her, his fingers curled into fists. “Then why hasn’t he made a decision yet?”

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