Page 37 of His Impossible Heir

Or maybe the embezzlement was part of the problem?

She’d like to get to know these men better. They seemed to be good and honest, but with a merciless drive to succeed. Or had they already succeeded?

Amanda immediately began weaving a plot around them. She knew that she could develop something sinister to put into their pasts that might…!

No, she wouldn’t violate their privacy like that.

Amanda followed them down the hallway, smiling when Daniesh fell into step beside her with his arm around her waist. It felt good, having him close. Too good, she warned herself. But did she move away? Nope. The opposite, in fact. She shifted closer, leaning into him slightly. His response was to tighten his grip around her waist.

“Bonjour, Monsieur Jalois!” Daniesh greeted the lawyer. They shook hands, speaking in rapid French for a moment. Then he turned and introduced Monsieur Jalois to the rest, quickly explaining their relationship to the investigation.

“Ah!” Monsieur Jalois replied, nodding in that Gallic fashion that Amanda was starting to truly appreciate as he switched to English. “I see that this is a larger problem than we originally anticipated.”

“What have you discovered?” Daniesh asked, gesturing for everyone to sit down. Everyone settled into the leather chairs and sofas and Amanda perched on the edge next to Daniesh. He kept her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.

Monsieur Jalois turned to Amanda. “Mademoiselle, since I was hired to representyou, I need your explicit permission to discuss your case with these others.”

“Absolutely,” she replied quickly, then turned to smile at the others. “They are just as invested in this as I am.”

“Only, we’re not facing imprisonment,” Levi commented, then smiled back at her. “We only lost money. You might lose your future.”

She didn’t like that reminder, but agreed anyway. She turned to the lawyer, nodding for him to continue. “What have you found out?”

The butler arrived with a coffee tray, pouring coffee for everyone. The room was silent until the butler exited, pulling the doors closed behind him.

When they were alone, the lawyer began. “You’re not going to lose your freedom, Mademoiselle Thomas.”

“Please,” she urged, “call me Amanda.”

“Merci. Amanda,” he corrected with a nod. “As I was saying, the police detectives working your case are lazy bastards,” he explained, saying the last word with a savage twist of his mouth and a contemptuous flip of his hand. “After a conversation with them earlier today, I could see that they both know they are wrong, but are refusing to accept the new evidence simply out of pride and obstinacy.” He took out a flash drive. “I gave them this.”

“What is it?”

He took a sip of the coffee, then closed his eyes to savor the excellent flavors. A moment later, he opened his eyes and looked at her. “My investigator istres bien!” he explained. “She found security footage of the gala at the hotel where His Highness received honors for his economic report. The video clearly shows your arrival into the smaller ballroom and the speeches, in which you are in the audience, as well as,” he paused and smiled mischievously, “a veryromantiquekiss on the terrace.”

“The kiss?” she gasped and felt Daniesh tense beside her. “But…we were outside! There were no cameras!”

“Oui,” he replied with a hearty chuckle. “Fortunatement, your kiss was captured by a paparazzo who was willing to sell me the picture.” He took another sip of his coffee. “There is additional security footage of you walking through the lobby of the hotel and all three videos have been verified by time stamps.” He waved his fingers in the air. “I have also given them pictures of the additional identities and passports that you provided, Your Highness.” He chuckled. “Those pictures were not time stamped and,” he held up a hand when Amanda started to offer an explanation. “I don’t need to know how those were obtained.”

Amanda froze for a brief moment, then chuckled as she leaned back, finding Daniesh’s chest to be a perfect “cushion”.

“Regardless,” the lawyer continued, “I expect that the Paris detectives will arrive shortly to explain that the charges against you have been dropped.”

Amanda stared at the man, stunned and not sure what to say. She felt lightheaded for a long moment, then she turned to Daniesh and…kissed him. With both of her hands cupping his head, she kissed him with every ounce of love and relief inside of her. It was almost as if her life had been given back to her. In a way, it had!

There were several soft chuckles, and Amanda pulled away, blushing but not ashamed. Everyone stood up and she stood with them, grabbing Monsieur Jalois’ hand. “Thank you!” she gushed. “Merci! Mille mercies!”

The lawyer chuckled and lifted her hand to kiss her fingertips. “You never should have been charged, my dear. It was the fault of the police detectives that were lazy and inept. They should have obtained those video files before charging anyone with a crime. They didn’t bother, assuming they could easily close a case.” He turned to bow to Daniesh. “With your permission, Your Highness, I will follow up with my upper level contacts to have these detectives admonished.”

“You have my full permission,” Daniesh replied.

Daniesh pulled Amanda closer as they both shook the lawyer’s hand, then he and the trio departed.

“We’ll keep in touch,” Levi replied, doing that curt, head-nod thing.

“I would appreciate that,” Daniesh said with honesty. “I look forward to hearing about your future adventures.”

Levi smiled, then walked out. Matteo was next and he lifted Amanda’s fingers to his lips. “You are a lucky woman,” he murmured, then turned to Daniesh. “She deserves better, but I suppose you will do.” Without any other explanation, he also left the room.

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