Page 50 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

Victoria’s features softened with gratitude. “Oh, Ellie, you didn’t need to do that. But we certainly appreciate it.”

She crossed the room to pull Elena into a tight hug.

“Maddie has been filling me on what has happened. What a terrible shame you’ve been dragged to the police station. I do hope that is the end of it for you.”

Victoria wiggled her eyebrows as she pulled back from Elena. “I would love to think so, but I’m not certain. We’re just waiting for the investigation to proceed forward, right now.”

“Of course. I do hope you hear good news soon. Is Nathan at the police station now?”

Victoria’s lips tugged back in a wince as she shot a glance at Maddie. “Uh, no…”

“Oh? Where is he? Please don’t tell me he’s thrown himself into work to avoid the situation.”

Victoria’s features pinched before they broke into a tentative grin. “You’re not going to believe this…and you may even find it funny…though I doubt it.”

Elena held her breath, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach as she braced herself for the information about her fiancé’s whereabouts.

“Nate…went to Eldoria earlier.”

“He did what?” Elena gasped, her knees buckling slightly as the weight of the revelation hit her. She steadied herself, barely catching the back of the chair to prevent a full collapse.

Victoria huffed out a forced laugh. “Yes. I can’t believe it. We sent him with Stephen to Eldoria to escape this madness. We wanted Maddie to go, too, but–“

Maddie crossed to her mother and looped an arm through hers. “I didn’t want to leave.”

“Of course not. I’m surprised Nathan wanted to leave.”

“We…asked him to go,” Victoria said. “He very much wanted to stay and help, but…I wanted them both out of the media’s reach and…I thought Nate could help you with some of the wedding planning and…you could spend some time together.”

A slight chuckle escaped Elena before it turned into a giggle, finally morphing into a full belly laugh.

Victoria, Maddie, and Caroline joined in with her.

Elena sank into the chair as she clapped a hand over her mouth to suppress her laughter. “Oh, well, it is rather comical as you suggested, Mrs. Kingsley. I’ve flown over here to surprise Nathan and offer my support, and he has flown to Eldoria as a surprise to offer his.”

Victoria’s chuckles softened as she nodded, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and lingering concern.

“We are a pair, aren’t we?” Elena said.

“I’m so sorry for this. I suppose I thought he’d tell you.”

“No,” Maddie said with a shake of her head. “He wanted it to be a surprise. We were actually supposed to leave a few days ago, then the next morning, and then…well, everything went sideways.”

“Yes, I can imagine how chaotic everything must have been,” Elena said, her voice tinged with empathy as shenodded slowly, fully absorbing the gravity of Maddie’s situation.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll want to return to Eldoria. I’m not certain if you prefer to fly back tonight or tomorrow morning, but you are both welcome to stay with us if you prefer tomorrow.”

“Oh, please stay,” Maddie said, clasping her hands together in front of her. “Please, Ellie? We can have a sleep over.”

“Maddie, she isn’t a kid,” Victoria said. “And I’m sure she has more important things to do than have a sleepover here. She’s come to see Nate.”

Elena smiled at them both. “I had hoped to see Nathan, however, I also would love to discuss something with you, Maddie. If you wouldn’t mind, I would very much like to take you up on the offer to stay.”

“Not at all. We’re happy to have you stay. I’ll have rooms made up.” Victoria shifted her weight toward the door, then hesitated. “Ellie, thank you so much for coming. This means a lot to us. And Nate will just be…thrilled to know you thought this much of him. I know I am. As a mother, I’m warmed by the fact that you’d come out to support my son. You’re going to make a wonderful spouse.”

Elena pressed a hand to her heart before she pulled Victoria into another embrace. “That means so much to me, Mrs. Kingsley.”

“Well, it’s not undeserved,” Victoria said as she pulled back. “I told Nate that you bring out the best in him. I’m so glad he found you.”

---