Page 30 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“Didn’t you? Well, perhaps you did not have a hand in this directly, but I have no doubt you will do nothing to help the situation.”

“Help? I would love to help. I shall order the Kingsleys to leave at once.”

“You will do nothing of the sort,” she shot back. “You cannot actually believe that after one dinner, Nathan was so taken by Isabelle’s…personality that he could do nothing but meet her in the garden for a moonlit kiss? And there just so happened to be a photographer hiding there? On our property?”

“Well…” The king wandered around the desk, putting distance between them.

“Father, really. How do you handle delicate diplomatic situations daily but cannot see through this charade? Had Alexander not been vigilant, these would be splashed all over every trashy tabloid Isabelle could find.”

“So, you believe Nathan Kingsley had no hand in this?”

“I believe my dear cousin Isabelle’s hands are all over itandmy soon-to-be fiancé.”

“Soon-to-be? I thought we agreed you would keep an open mind?”

She set her hands on her hips. “Was I told to keep an open mind because you planned to sabotage my relationship?”

“Certainly not.” The indignation on his royal features showed his dismay with her accusation. “I have not even the slightest inclination to do anything of the sort. If he proves himself worthy,if. Andifyou choose him, the matter will be settled. Those are two large ifs, Elena.”

He clasped his hands behind his back as he paced the floor. “That being said, I would doubt based on the way he looks at you that he would sneak off with your cousin.”

Elena breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Father. And now that we agree, I want something done.”

“There is nothing to be done, Elena.”

“What do you mean? My cousin has crossed the line time and again, and this time has gone too far. I demand she be thrown from his house.”

“Elena, I will not throw my niece from the house.”

“Then I will do it.” Elena spun on her heel and stormed toward the door.

“You will do no such thing.”

She whipped around to face him, her blood boiling. “I will not stand by and permit her to continue her reign of terror upon me.”

“No one is reigning terror. I taught you not to be reactionary, did I not?”

“I am not! But I will not allow this behavior to continue. She believes she can do as she pleases and get away with it. If she is not stopped, she will ruin everything.”

“Sit down, Elena,” he said as he easedinto his chair.

She gritted her teeth as she balled her hands into fists again. “No.”

“I said sit down,” he repeated, enunciating every word carefully.

“Father–“

“Elena, this is not a request.” The tightness in his jaw and the crease in his forehead signaled his seriousness.

She stalked across the room and collapsed into a chair.

“I understand this is difficult–“

“Difficult,” she cried as he held up a hand to silence her.

“I know I have taught you the value in not reacting to a situation, but acting in one. They are two different things.”

She crossed her arms, her lips tugging into a pout.

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