Page 5 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

What he hadn’t needed, though, was Stephen more or less making the announcement in an email entitledChanges Coming to GenoTech.

His fingers curled into fists, and he smashed one against his desk. Nothing had been decided yet about how this wasgoing to work. He’d planned to stay a part of the company–unless he was being pushed out by his angry brother.

Nate chewed his lower lip, his nose wrinkling as he read through the words one more time. A knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts.

His father, Charles, stuck his head into his office. “Hey, Nate, got a minute?”

“Are you here to discuss the changes coming and my impending departure from GenoTech?”

His father flicked his eyebrows up as he stepped inside the office and shuffled to a chair. “That email went out without anybody’s approval but Stephen’s.”

“Well, maybe someone should monitor his email account because this is crap.” Nate waved a frustrated hand at the screen with a heavy sigh.

“I realize you’re frustrated, but–“

“Frustrated doesn’t capture it. This was completely uncalled for. He did it on purpose. He’s still mad at me about Chloe. I didn’t do it. She did.”

“Stephen’s hurting, that’s true. And I can’t help but think this is…payback.”

“For that financial investigation, yeah, I get it. He’s finally turned the tables on me. And all over that witch, Chloe. I’m so glad she’s out of our lives.”

“Well, not yet,” Charles answered with a sigh. “She’s contesting the divorce.”

“She’s what? That’s crazy.”

“Do you still have that recording of Prince Julian admitting to their affair?”

“I do,” Nate answered as he grabbed for his phone, finding a message from Elena. He scrolled past it in search of the message thread with Charles.

“Send it to me. The lawyers want to use it to pressure her. Unfortunately, though, Stephen didn’t have a prenup, sothere’s no cheating clause we can use to ensure she gets nothing.”

Nate winced. “Oh, please tell me you aren’t going to pay her off. She doesn’t deserve a nickel from this family.”

“What she deserves and what she’s going to get are two different things, Nate. We can either keep going round for round with her or pay her off and get her out of our lives for good.”

Nate heaved a sigh as he shook his head. “What does Stephen say?”

“Pay her off. He wants no parts of her.”

“I can’t blame him for that,” Nate answered ruefully. “Just…don’t make her rich off his stupid mistake.”

Charles wiggled his eyebrows before he slouched a little in his chair. “Speaking of mistakes…”

Nate shot his father a questioning glance. “Please don’t tell me you’re here because you think I’m making one.”

“No, I don’t think you are. Ellie’s a lovely woman. But…”

“But what?”

“I still think a prenup is wise.”

Nate guffawed. “To protect me or her? She’s going to be queen of a country, Dad. This is hardly a shakedown.”

“I didn’t say it was. But in the event that you split…I think it’s wise for you both to have your assets protected. I’m certain she’ll feel the same way. In fact, I can’t believe she hasn’t mentioned this to you already. She stands to lose if you two divorce, too.”

Nate shifted in his seat, annoyed with the conversation. “Okay, fine, I’ll mention it to her. But…I don’t like the idea.”

“No one does, son, but it’s important to protect yourself.”

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