Page 47 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

“Investigate. You know like in Nancy Drew.”

“Maddie, this isn’t a novel. We’re not going to go prowling around, searching for clues and probably getting in trouble. We’re just going to wait to hear something and go from there.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” She threw her arms in the air, her lips tugging into a frustrated frown. “I’m sick of waiting.”

“Hopefully, we’ll hear something soon. Just…sit tight. I’m going to call Dad and see if there are any updates.”

“Okay. Will you let me know after you talk to him?”

“Yeah,” Nate said with a nod as he dug his cell phone from his pocket. He backed his way from her, pulling the door closed as he blew out a long breath.

His thumb hovered over Elena’s name for a second. He nearly pressed the call button, but he preferred not to disturb her in case she had turned in early. With the time difference, she’d likely be in bed or close.

Instead, he found his father’s name and dialed.

“Nate,” Charles answered a moment later. “Everything okay there? How are you all holding up?”

“We’re all pretty upset, Dad. Any word on when they may be finished with Mom?”

“Nothing yet. They’ve been questioning her since we got here.”

Nate’s heart sank at the words. "Is there a chance it won't go any further than this?"

“Hard to say. I’m hoping they’ll give her a break soon, and I can get some information from Clif–oh, wait, he’s coming out now. Let me give you a call back as soon as I’ve spoken to him.”

“Okay, Dad, good luck.” Nate ended the call, pacing the floor as he waited for the phone to ring again. Seconds seemed like hours as he stared at his phone, willing it to ring. The longer the conversation went on between his father and Clif, the more complications it probably had.

Would Stephen’s worry about their mother going to prison come to pass?

After what seemed like an eternity, his phone rang again. He bobbled it in a desperate attempt to swipe to accept the call with sweaty palms. “Dad, what’s up?”

“Police are going to let her come home. She can’t leave the country, but…no charges yet.”

He pressed a hand against his chest, allowing his heart rate to slow a little. “Thank goodness.”

“Don’t celebrate just yet. I don’t think this is over, but…for now, we’re safe.”

“Good. That’s good.”

“Hey, Nate, there’s something else I’d like you to do, though.”

“Name it,” he answered.

“I want you to take Maddie and Stephen to Eldoria. Tonight.”

Nate crinkled his brow. “Tonight? Dad, we’re not leaving with all of this going on.”

“I really think you should. I don’t want Stephen anywherenear this given what he could say to the cops. Or any of you to see what they may put in the papers.”

“Dad…”

“Nate, I’m not kidding. Now, make the arrangements. Your mom and I will be home within the hour, I think. We’ll say our goodbyes, and you’ll go to Eldoria—where you belong.”

They finished the call with a few last items before Nate ended it, swallowing hard. He didn’t want to run off during a crisis, but Elena was facing a crisis, too. Maybe he could be of more help there while also keeping his siblings from living through what could become a major scandal.

The tug in his heart to see Elena was strong, yet abandoning his family was not an option. What should he do–send Maddie and Stephen?

He paced back and forth, trying to think through his options. Both his fiancée and his family needed him. How could he choose?

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