His voice was flat, devoid of any warmth.

“The wedding is off.”

Rachel froze, her hands suspending in mid-air.

“No,” she whispered.

“Alexander, please.”

“The guests are already here.”

“The press is outside the gates.”

“We can find a way to handle this quietly.”

“It is over, Rachel,” the Prince said.

He slipped the heavy signet ring off his finger.

He let it drop onto the desk next to the silver flash drive.

It hit the mahogany with a dull clink.

“You will leave the palace tonight,” Alexander said.

King Alaric stood up to his full height.

“The wedding is cancelled permanently,” the King announced.

“But you will not be leaving the country just yet, Miss Carter.”

“There are laws governing fraud, both in your home nation and in this principality.”

“And there are others involved,” I added.

I looked at the King.

“My mother’s confinement required cooperation from individuals inside this palace.”

“The transfers of trust money were routed through accounts linked to members of your own court.”

Alaric’s eyes narrowed.

“I am aware of the rot in my own house, Commander,” the King said.