Page 36 of Once Upon a Royal Billionaire

“Pardon?”

“She has known for a long time that Mountain Blue was going down. She knew while she was pitching all the princes at your quarterly meeting. And she certainly knew when you were talking to them about investing.”

“I’m sure she did. She was trying to save it, doing everything she could.”

“Was she? Or was she just ensuring a nice nest egg for her family?”

“Thank you for your obvious interest in this matter. But it clearly falls outside your purview. I’m going to ask you to do something within your job description and call a press conference.”

“Pardon?” His mouth dropped open.

“Call a press conference. You may close the door on your way out.”

“But what are you going to say? Should we review the message?” His voice died off as Rhett deepened his frown. “If you want to pass your speech through PR…” He shook his head. “Okay. I’ll just leave you to that and get it all arranged.”

An hour later, Rhett made his way to the press room at the palace. He was determined to be transparent and honest. He trusted his citizens to be reasonable. They just liked to understand, to know what was going on. His phone rang.Emily.“Hello.”

“Hey, so, it’s as bad as you think. We’re going under, probably forever. I was desperate when I pitched for help. But I really thought I could save Mountain Blue.”

“I know.”

“I’m on the plane. Going home.”

“That I didn’t know.” A cold numbness settled over him. “So, I guess that’s it?”

“I gotta figure some things out. As you can imagine, everything’s in shambles, and I owe so many people—I’ve already started the transfer of funds to pay the guys back. Carlson should have never involved you.”

“I knew what I was doing.”

“No, I should have been more transparent. But anyway, I’ve got to figure out some things. Jackson is still causing trouble. It’s bigger even than this.”

There was a long silence. Rhett neared the press room door, where Kenworthy was waiting for him. “I gotta run. Let’s talk about this more. Don’t be silent.”

“Okay, you either. Thank you, Rhett, for trying.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll call you later.”

“Bye.”

Rhett ignored Kenworthy and every other staff member who tried to talk to him on his way in. He walked straight to the microphone, turned to face a room full of press, some of whom he’d known his whole life, and smiled. “Greetings.”

12

Emily watched the man she loved, had always loved, tell his country that no royal funds were used to invest in her failing company. She tried not to feel hurt as he subtly distanced his country from her business. She of course would have done the same, so she completely understood, and a part of her was happy he wouldn’t take a hit for the kindness he’d offered. She watched as he expressed confidence in his fellow citizens, how he was fully transparent about his offer to help Emily.

“My personal life, my relationships, even who I eventually marry are purely private matters. I understand how it might be of interest to some, but the answer to questions on those topics will almost always be, ‘no comment.’ In this one instance, however, I will make an exception. Once, a long time ago, I was lucky enough to know a young girl named Emily. She and I were the best of friends, and somehow, no matter what we did, when I was with Emily, I felt stronger. Then she got busy and I got busy, and we both went our separate ways. She married, had a beautiful daughter and escaped a hurtful husband. She is one of the most successful women in the world, is talked about in most elevated business circles, and runs what was once the most lucrative sports equipment company out there. Things have been tough for her, and when she most desperately needed help, she came here, to her friends from childhood, to the people she trusts most. And what did we do? We did whatever we could to help. I was willing. But my offer came too late. And now Mountain Blue will be no more.”

Emily wiped tears from her eyes.

“But I want to make one thing clear. No royal funds were used to try to rescue my friend. And the other thing I want to make clear—I will not entertain speculation about what she means to me. Some relationships are too important to be lowered by tabloid supposition. If you must debase yourselves in that manner, do not expect a response from me or her.” He nodded and held his hands out. “And finally, as I look around the world, as I view the other countries of the Mediterranean, I am proud of the role Aegira plays as a leader in our modern societies. Thank you, my dear citizens.”

Then she switched off the TV.

Emily leaned her head back for an hour, thinking about all he had said, and she wondered if she’d ever see him again, if she’d ever again feel the warmth of his praise. Even though he’d spoken warmly about her in public and supported her like a true friend would, she’d seen the coldness in his eyes, heard the disappointment in his voice, and knew she’d let him down. He likely thought she’d totally used him and abused their friendship.

They eventually landed. She dragged her feet out of the car that had picked her up at the airport. As she headed down her sidewalk to her front door, she was so happy to be home, to at last fall into bed and wake up in the morning and hold her daughter.

Jackson stepped out from the bushes and grabbed her wrist. The air around him reeked of whiskey.

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