billion book
Chapter 72
Chapter 72 Disingenuous Relatives
Duke Alexander entered his castle in Monaco with a commanding presence, the guards snapping to attention and saluting crisply as he strode purposefully past them. Ignoring the curious and admiring gazes of the palace staff, his focused gaze remained fixed ahead as he navigated towards the grand hall.
He found his mother seated there, flanked unexpectedly by his uncle and cousin.
"Mother," he greeted sternly, his expression cooling as he acknowledged the presence of his relatives. "You called me?" His tone carried an undercurrent of frustration; he had been engrossed in important matters concerning Monaco's upcoming parliamentary elections when Camille Montecarlo summoned him urgently.
"Alexander!" Camille's serene smile greeted her son. "Please, have a seat. I need to show you what the PI has found about your sister Adeline. Her eyes shimmered with hope, her smile touched with tears and the weight of concern. Alexander remained stoic in the face of the new information, his expression darkening as he fixed a piercing gaze on his uncle Henry Montecarlo and cousin Oliver Montecarlo.
"What are they doing here. Mother?" he asked through clenched teeth, his tone tinged with suspicion as he stared down his relatives.
"Oh, forgive me, son. I forgot to mention that it's your uncle Henry who hired this Pl and brought information, Camille explained hesitantly, her smile faltering under Alexander's intense scrutiny. s this
"Then this information is irrelevant, Mother, Alexander declared curtly, turning to face her fully. "And how much did you pay them this time for this fabricated tale?" His words dripped with disdain.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
"Lord Alexander!" Henry interjected sharply, his face contorting with displeasure. "We're not greedy. I merely compensated the PI for their services, he defended himself, though Alexander's disbelief was palpable.
"I'm certain you already know where my sister is and choose to withhold the truth, Alexander accused, his voice laced with mockery. "What's your endgame, Uncle Henry?"
"Camille, are you even listening to your son?" Henry protested in a plaintive tone. "Do you truly believe I would stoop so low as to orchestrate the disappearance of our princess?" His words were laden with a mix of hurt and indignation.
Alexander shook his head, a mix of frustration and disappointment evident on his face. This was the familiar charade he witnessed daily, where his trusting mother fell prey to the deceitful machinations of
their own kin.
However, Alexander had never trusted his uncle and cousins. They were present when his father was killed and his sister kidnapped. His sister was supposed to inherit the fortune left by their grandfather, as she was the first girl born into the Montecarlo family in ten generations. Their grandfather, overjoyed at the news of a baby girl in the family, decided to leave their entire fortune and property to the little princess even before she was born. However, Alexander, as the true heir to the title of Duke, would inherit not only the royal duties but also the palace and his father's fortune.
But on the day of her birth, little Adeline was kidnapped by one of Alexander's father's mistresses, and the Current duke, Alexander's father, was also killed. Alexander's uncle was the first person to discover his father's dead body, with no one else around. 1/2 G G
Chapter 72 Disingenuous Relatives
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Alexander couldn't shake off suspicions of his uncle's involvement in his father's murder, especially since the murderer had still not been captured. They seemed very envious of their wealth and title, especially Henry, who had lost all his wealth in gambling and on women and was now leeching off Camille as the deceased husband's brother.
"Uncle Henry, with all due respect, I must ask you to leave. I need to speak with my mother in private, and I don't have the whole day, unlike your seemingly endless free time," Alexander taunted with disdain evident in his expression. Henry and Oliver rose immediately at Alexander's words.
"I can see that since my brother's passing, I no longer receive respect from his family," Henry played his emotional card, knowing Camille would be affected if he brought her late husband into the matter.
"No, Henry, please don't say that. You know Alexander is under a lot of stress lately. He does respect you otherwise, Camille asserted, appealing to Alexander to agree with her. "Right, Alexander?" she asked, hoping for his support.
"Right, Mother," Alexander reluctantly agreed, knowing he needed to placate his mother's feelings. Yet, inwardly, he couldn't bring himself to respect these individuals who he believed were undeserving of anyone's respect. He continued to glare at Henry and Oliver, a silent warning not to test his patience. They knew well that upsetting the Duke could cost them dearly. Sensing the tension, Henry and Oliver wisely decided to take their leave.
"Alright, Camille. I won't keep you much longer, Henry said, his tone measured. "I'll settle with the Pl and instruct them to delve deeper into the matter. Hopefully, we can locate Adeline soon," he asserted, causing Alexander to audibly groan in irritation. They had captured his father's mistress and imprisoned her in the dungeon, but she was found dead under mysterious circumstances a few weeks later, before they could extract any information from her. At
time Uncle Henry temporarily was in charge of investigations, while Alexander focused on training and overseeing his father's funeral arrangements. Alexander was younger at the time, but now he could see through the feigned concern of his uncle and cousin. He endured their presence solely for his mother's sake. Otherwise, he would have ejected them from his estate long ago.
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