e men in black stepped out in perfect f

air, dressed in a tailcoat,

ed to one knee without hesitation, the fabric of h

ly," he said in a clear, resonant voice, every word heavy with u

it like a t

d as though they had be

Denise had been holding clattered

for years twisted within a single second into ridiculous shock, t

nearly tripping over herself. "I always said Elizabeth was ex

uards while reaching out, eage

de, sending her stumbling. "You were the on

ed as he forced a

was late. That shr

mance coldly, nausea

f the bodyguards. "Who was it that stole Elizabeth's money to gamble

urned ashen as he raised h

a faint, mocking sm

family. In the face of p

ower, they were dogs

h coughe

orting her, she slowly rose to her feet, trembling slig

. "Her Highness, the

e. Instead, she turned her ga

terrified that a single word

m come w

softened her mind. "After all... it was thanks to their 'car

or and Denise near

Mom! You'r

u loved us

ng toward the extended Rolls-Royce as i

helped her into the car