The Royal Contract

He sat at the dimly lit club as he waited for the person he would be meeting tonight. He had been avoiding him this past week, unable to confront him with what he had promised him.

Until now, he was still missing the key ingredient in his grand master plan. Without her, there was no way he could proceed with their scheme to take down their enemies. 

"Find me that bitch if you know what is good for you." He shouted as he dismissed his men, who continued to fail to give him what he needed. He drank the remaining liquid in his glass, hoping that it would calm him down until his next meeting.

He would never be able to serve Alex's head on a silver platter if he could not get her back. He had to get the evidence she stole from him, in addition to the files she promised to give to him.

His men exited the room as another figure approached him. His guest had finally arrived with his entourage. He certainly knew how to make an entrance.

"Prince Edward, glad you can make it." He gestured to the other available seat in front of him while he waited for him to settle down. "I am sorry for not being able to accommodate your earlier request, but things had been hectic this past week."

He knew he could not keep avoiding him. But maybe he could persuade the prince to be amicable with his change of plan. As of now, there was no other way since he still had not recovered his golden goose.

"I was starting to worry that you have forgotten me, or worse, avoiding me, Nick." Prince Edward settled comfortably in his seat and ordered himself a drink as he observed the man in front of him.

He had asked for a meeting with him earlier that week. But, his secretary had been going around in circles with their excuses. He was about to send his men to search for him when he called to set up this meeting. He was running out of patience because he was also racing against time.

His father was already calling for him to go home because of the upcoming wedding. It was a critical and crucial event that could cement Alex's position on the throne. 

His claim as the king could be hanging in the balance if he could not find an immediate solution to his problem. The only way was to discredit Alex to the Council.

If not, he could only think of one more possible way to hinder his assertion to the throne. But he was hoping it would be his last resort. It was dangerous, and it required elaborate planning.

"Of course not. I am merely busy working on our business and other arrangements." He was not lying about the first part, but he still had to work on the latter portion of the deal.

In any consolation, his partner was not the only one not getting what he wanted. He could not exact his revenge on Ethan either. Not until he had all the papers in his hands again.

At the same time, his plan to get Dani back was running down the drain. As her marriage to Alex came closer, his desperation also intensified.

His blood boiled every time he thought of Cassie running away and taking all the evidence with her. He blamed himself for not seeing it coming a mile away. He felt stupid and a fool for trusting a whore like her.

"So, where is my result?" Edward demanded this time. He had waited for him to make his move, but until now, nothing had happened.

He shifted in his position, showing Nick that he meant business. He was not here to take crap of meaningless promises from him. He could not continue to watch on the sideline as he watched his future slip away.

Alex continued to flourish in his business, and the wedding proceeded as planned. Although he had heard of the accident, nothing impeded Alex from getting what he wanted.

But he did wonder if it was a genuine accident or a foul play. In their position in the royal family, nothing was impossible. Many wanted power and used extreme measures to get it. He could not help but wonder if Nick was behind it.

"This is the projection for next year, but as you can see, your money already doubled at this point." Nick handed him the latest spreadsheet of the prince's investment in his company.

If the trend continued to grow as he expected it would. Edward's investment would triple by the first quarter of next year. In the business aspect of the deal, he did great.

He had always been cunning in his business dealings. He guaranteed he would make a killing before entering any mergers, acquisitions, or other business transactions in his line of business.

"I am impressed. Honestly, I am starting to doubt your skills in the business as my cousin rises in the ranks." Edward intentionally stated, as his tone hinted displeasure.

Although the success of his investment in his company would catch the attention of the Council. He still believed that it would never be enough to satisfy them. It would not be reason enough to hand him the throne.

"I assure you that as I promised, it will continue to increase in numbers. You will have more money to bring back to your family and your future kingdom." Nick had to make this man, playing at his hand, or else he would lose all his control on him.

The money he infused in his company did help him to gain new grounds in the business. He could not allow him to pull out now. He was starting to catch up with Ethan's company being in the top five of the leading board.

"But what about our other arrangement? I am losing my patience in this. I needed Alex on his knees, losing everything he owned and begging for his life." It was what they had agreed on when he handed him the money. 

It was not only the money that he needed. He wanted Alex out of his way. He never wanted him dead, but he had to secure his position in the kingdom.

If he had to resort to extreme measures, then he would. He would not hesitate to go to the drastic means if he had to secure his victory.

"Everything is arranged as planned. All you ever have to do will be to sit tight and enjoy the show." Nick hoped he sounded convincing because he could not let him notice that he did not have control of the situation.

It would have been easier if he had those files. He could use them to ruin Ethan's image and reputation, subjecting him and his company to a sequel of investigations that would run for years.

In turn, this would plummet the company's share down. Eventually, Ethan, with Alex, would be losing the trust of their investors. Finally, it would be a series of domino effects until Ethan and Alex had nothing left, not even their pride, but first, he needed Cassie.