Page 73 of The Billionaire's Royal Crown

The words echoed in the quiet space, as Nate’s stomach twisted into a tight knot. Had he just cost Elena her crown?

CHAPTER 19

ELENA

Elena gripped the camera tightly, her other fingers white-knuckling the handhold on the door as Maddie took another turn at breakneck speed. Her stomach churned, the image of the hooded figure with their hands around Chloe’s throat still burned through her mind.

While the face could not clearly be seen, it was obvious from the grizzled chin that the culprit was not Victoria Kingsley.

Maddie had made several panicked calls to her father but received no response.

With no way to reach anyone, they’d climbed back into the car for another trip to Sterling City.

Elena squeezed her eyes closed as Maddie zipped down the street, holding her breath as a horn blared at them. As they raced along, Elena’s mind whirled as fast as the wheels. Each red light was a reminder of the ticking clock.

“Maddie, I know this is urgent, but I would very much like to deliver the new evidence alive,” Elena said.

Maddie wrinkled her nose at her as she plowed ahead, weaving through the city’s traffic.

“I hate to be a bother,” Caroline said from the back seat, “but the signal ahead is red.”

Elena’s eyes went wide as she stared at the red light, pressing her feet hard against the floor. Maddie hopped on the brake, and they came to a screeching stop inches from the car in front of them.

“Oh, dear,” Elena said with a shaky exhale.

“We stopped,” Maddie said with a shake of her head. “It’s okay.”

Elena swallowed hard. “Give me your phone. I will try your father again.”

“Now? We’re almost there,” Maddie said as they waited for the light to turn.

“It will give me something to do to distract myself from your driving.”

Maddie offered her a wry glance as she handed the phone over.

Elena unlocked it and scrolled to Charles’s name, tapping the call icon. Maddie accelerated as the light turned and traffic moved forward.

After a few rings, Charles’s voice filled the car, instructing them to leave a message after the tone.

Elena sighed as she ended the call. “Still nothing. Where could he be?”

“Perhaps he is with Mrs. Kingsley. She is undoubtedly upset,” Caroline suggested.

“I suppose so, but…” Elena’s voice trailed off as Maddie darted into another lane.

“Dad never leaves his phone unattended,” Maddie saidwith a shake of her head. “Like never. He’s always connected.”

“But this is a special circumstance,” Caroline argued.

“Not that special. When Stephen was arrested, he still took calls. I don’t know where he could be.”

“We’re about to find out,” Elena said as Maddie swung into the police station’s parking lot and whipped into a space.

Elena pushed the door open, sucking in deep breaths of the air as she climbed from the car. “Thank heavens.”

“I quite agree,” Caroline muttered. “Remind me to thank Andrew when we arrive in Eldoria for his superb driving skills.”

“You and me both, Caroline.”

---