"Yeah, Bri''s been under the weathertely. I got a doc to look after her," Eltham said, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.


    Eltham''s smile was warm and reassuring. "Don''t fret, we''re getting on just fine."


    The Queen, knowing him to be a man of discretion, nodded in approval. "That''s good to hear."


    Leaving the royal residence behind, Eltham''s smile vanished, his demeanor turning dark and twisted. "Spread the word that Isaac is still alive!" hemanded. "Also, it''s time Mabel''s death became public knowledge."


    ...


    That same night.


    The news that Isaac was still among the living spread like wildfire through Craneville!


    Isaac and Brittany''s marriage was the talk of the town before his mysterious disappearance, and many were genuinely saddened by the news.


    Now, with Isaac''s existence revealed, the townsfolk were buzzing with gossip about a possible love triangle involving Isaac, Brittany, and Eltham.


    Piper, upon hearing the news, confronted Eltham. "Eltham, have you lost your mind? The whole world knows Brittany and Isaac are married. You exposing this, have you thought about the royal family''s reputation?" But Eltham wasn''t the one who had let the cat out of the bag.


    Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Eltham took a sip before replying, "Weren''t you the one who dug this up?"


    "Even if I hadn''t exposed it, you would have, right?"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Piper was taken aback.


    Eltham set down his coffee cup. "So what if he''s alive? I''ll make sure he knows that even in life, he''s no match for me."


    Piper felt a chill run down her spine. This was not the Eltham she knew. He was far more dangerous and unsettling, yet she found herself unable to speak up.


    "This was your doing, not mine," Eltham said with a dismissive air.


    Piper wanted to protest, but Eltham handed her a file. "Take a look before you say anything else."


    Opening the file, Piper found


    evidence that the Walker family was implicated in tax evasion. She looked up at Eltham, anger shing in her eyes. "Is this a threat?


    QUMS


    "No, you found this information," Eltham said, spreading his hands "Piper, you know how I operate. If you''re not willing to cooperate, leaking this would not bode well for the Walker family." NovelDrama.Org


    Taking a deep breath, Piper acknowledged the situation. "I get it."


    "Threatening me for Brittany''s sake, is it worth it?"


    Eltham nced at her. "It''s gettingte, you should head back."


    Piper had arrived full of fury but left with a heavy heart.


    Eltham had yed his part too well. For years, she had truly believed he was a kind soul.


    When the news of Isaac''s survival reached the Imperial City, the Salter family was in disbelief. Noel was the first to reach out to Nathan. "My brother is still alive?"


    Nathan was about to board a flight to Craneville with Hestia and Twi?a. He instructed his bodyguard to proceed with thedies while he stepped aside to talk. "Noel.


    "He''s really alive, isn''t he?"


    "Yes."


    Nathan confirmed, "Mr. Salter is alive and in Craneville."


    QUMS


    Noel mmed his fist on the table in frustration. "He''s alive and didn''t contact us? We all thought he was dead..."


    For nearly a year, Noel had been tormented by regret-regret for not spending more time with Isaac, for chasing his own dreams at the expense of their brotherhood.


    "Noel, Mr. Salter didn''t mean to hide," Nathan tried to exin.


    "Does my sister-inw know?"


    The question hung heavily in the air, unanswered.