The Royal Contract

Earlier, back at the palace, a call on Ethan's phone broke the silence that enveloped their privacy. Her father had to excuse himself to take the call, leaving her alone to herself.

On the other hand, Ethan walked along the hallway of the palace, looking for some empty space to take the call. He did not want anyone eavesdropping on his conversation.

"Yes," Ethan finally answered when he was secured inside another room. "What is it, Alex?" He quickly asked, hoping that it was nothing serious.

But nothing in his world was that easy. He had many enemies who would stop at nothing to destroy him, but apparently, his soon-to-be son-in-law was no different.

"I think we have a situation. This is just a precaution, but I already instructed my men to change the plan. I know this is last minute." Alex informed Ethan.

He had formulated this on his mind, thinking he might need a backup plan. He never informed anyone about it until the last minute. Well, except for his most trusted men, Tim and Ben, who had helped him strategize a game plan.

He needed assurance that the plan would not leak to their enemies. He believed that spies could be lurking everywhere, just waiting to gather information.

"Ok, I understand," Ethan confirmed the plan, ready to cooperate with him.

He could not agree more with Alex's idea. If executed well, they just might be able to pull this off without causing much of a scene. The wedding would go without a hitch.

"I will inform the others that it is a go. Be ready for anything." Alex warned Ethan, alerting him for any possibility.

He could only wish to accompany her bride, but tradition prevented him from seeing her. Suddenly, the idea of eloping seemed a better one compared to this grand celebration.

"We will see you at the church," Ethan said, determined to get her daughter safely to her wedding.

He ended the call and immediately returned to her daughter. She was now surrounded by her wife and her friends. He stared at his family, promising to himself that no harm would come to them.

"I think we are all ready to leave." Antonette showed up in the room, carrying her list of itineraries. Checking each box, she concluded that everything was in order.

She began instructing the usherettes to assist the wedding party to their respective vehicles that would take them to the cathedral. While she personally handled the parents and the bride.

"Sir, can I talk to you for a second." Ben pulled him on the side, not wanting anyone else to hear what he had to say. They allowed the others to walk ahead of them and waited till they were in the clear.

He had worked for Alex for almost a decade now. His family would not have a comfortable life if not for his boss. He would do anything to return the favor, even offering his life for him.

Until now, he still felt guilty for what happened to Dani. He still felt responsible for the incident, but now, he wanted to make up for it by doing his job more thoroughly.

"Tell me," Ethan figured that Ben would not have disturbed him if it was not necessary. 

Ben must have crucial information to share with him regarding their current situation. Any report that could help was more than welcome at a time like this.

"We caught a man lurking around the bushes a few minutes ago. He claimed that he was just taking pictures. We already placed him in custody for interrogation." Ben related the latest update.

One of his men was roaming the ground when he spotted him behind some bushes taking pictures. It was indeed possible that he was just part of the paparazzi, trying to get some pictures.

However, it was more likely that he was gathering information for whatever it would serve him and the people he was working with. He could not discount that possibility.

"Keep him there until we figure out what he knows and who he was working for," Ethan ordered, but he could see that there was more. "What is it?"

He could not contain his curiosity as he noticed that Ben was still holding out something from him. He had not succeeded in this career without learning a few tricks and reading people.

"I think there is a mole in the security." Ben voiced out his suspicions. Although he had already mentioned this with Tim and Alex, he could not confirm it yet without enough proof.

Everything was mere speculation until he gathered enough intel to support his claim. But he was already eyeing some men who he felt were not trustworthy.

"Do you have an idea of who they are?" Ethan would not be surprised if that was true. 

Even the most loyal men could be bought at the right price. What more those who were only in for the money. He had his share of traitors in the workforce.

"A suspicion." That was all Ben would like to share. "But I am not letting my guards down. I have my eyes on them." For now, that was all he was willing to share about the topic. 

"Update me if you have more information," Ethan stated as they both tried to catch up with the entourage.

He just hoped that these men, who Alex trusted with his life and his daughter, would never betray them for money. He also had his team, who he trusted with his family, but he had already put them to the test and passed with flying colors.

"Dad, is everything alright?" Dani asked when his father finally stood beside her as they settled at the lobby for final instructions.

She could not help but notice his dad's private conversation with Ben. In years of experience, it could only mean one thing. There might be trouble coming.

  "It is just some minor problem with the bridal car. It is already taken care of." He told his daughter, not wanting her to worry about anything.

After a few minutes, the problem with the vehicles was sorted out by the security group. The female entourage rode their respective cars.

The last to leave was the bride's parents and the bride herself. With Ben on the lead, he guided them to the car they would be using.

"Do you have this under control?" Ethan whispered to Ben, subtlely asking before following his wife and daughter inside the backseat.

"Yes, Sir. You have nothing to worry about." Ben wished he was speaking the truth. But they both knew that anything could happen.

"I trust you. If anything, protect my wife and daughter." Ethan said to him, knowing Ben understood what he was saying. Ben only nodded before closing the door on him.

"We are ready," Ben spoke to his headpiece when everyone was settled on their seat. He rode the front seat while the family was at the back.

The other team went ahead of them, while the others were not far behind as they left the palace on their way to the cathedral where the ceremony was to take place.

Even the most well-conceived plan messed up when fate intervened.. He just hoped that the master manipulator was on their side today.