Chapter 24: Pup Scuffle
Edrick

I returned to the party with Moana, trying to quell my anger over seeing Moana and Ethan together. I wasn’t quite so much mad at her, although she should’ve been more professional, as I was mad at him. I knew that he was up to something… Always.

“There you are, darling,” my mother said, reaching out and squeezing my hand as Moana and I approached.

“Edrick,” my father suddenly said, pushing himself up from his chair. He didn’t like to admit it, but he was getting older and was starting to have some difficulty with sitting and standing. “Come with me. I’d like to talk to you.”

I knew where this was going, but I also knew that I didn’t have a say with it as I watched my father walk away. My mother, who also knew what he was about to say, gave my hand another squeeze before I followed him.

We walked over to the bar, where he ordered us each a glass of whiskey.

“Here,” he said, shoving the glass of whiskey in my hand.

“Thank you,” I replied, swirling the brown liquid around a bit in my glass before taking a sip, steeling myself for what was about to come.

“Now… I’m sure you know why I wanted to speak with you,” my father said, fixing his icy gray eyes on me.

I nodded. “I know, father. It’s time to find a mate. You’ve been saying this for years.”

“I only say it because I worry about you,” he said, stroking his white beard with his hand. “You’ve already had one illegitimate child. It’s only so long before you have another, given your track record.”

“I’m not worried,” I replied tersely. “Besides, marriage is a distraction.”

scoffed. “So is dealing with

me ntally taxing to work so hard to hide her. Many journalists and papa raz zos had been paid off with hefty sums of money, not to mention her mother, who occasionally showed up demanding more. But despite all of that, Ella was mine, through and through. I didn’t consider her to be any less worthy than if I had a legitimate child

“It’s too much of a bother, and it’s bad for the company’s image. Do something about your love life, and then you can claim that Ella is your wife’s

and I

down on the bar. “I’m not interested in Kelly like that. And the more you entertain that idea, the more you’ll stoke the fires of that fantasy in

human girl?” He nodded his head toward Moana,

head. “You don’t need to worry about that. She’s a human, and she’s

my demeanor, although I still felt the

wrong, Eddy?”

I didn’t need to, because the orchestra suddenly began to play Vivaldi’s Winter. I glanced up to see a dreamy smile beginning to spread across Moana’s face; she appeared to

had the pleasure of attending one of our banquets,” my mother suddenly said, looking over her shoulder at me from her seat. “I’ll watch Ella. Why don’t you two go

have some experience with dancing. As our dance came to an end, however, I felt Kelly’s and my father’s eyes on me, and stepped away from Moana with

her face was red from the alcohol. “Let’s dance. I

head. “Sorry, but I’m a little tired. Why don’t you ask one of my cousins? I heard that Karl

of my young male cousins, who had all come tonight without dates, then shook her head and abruptly turned on her heel. “Nevermind,” she said brusquely. “I’m going to use the ladies’ room.” I watched as

know,” my mother said, watching with amusement as Ella wriggled off of her

a good nanny. Ella

you like her?” she

certain extent. She was a good nanny and helped out around the penthouse, and her presence helped me sleep, but she was also a bit

could answer, I was alerted by the sound of

and Adam?” my older cousin, Maria, asked, stopping in front of me. She was referring to her two sons, who were often known for causing a bit of trouble. Her

shook my head. “I haven’t seen

“We’re worried that they’re

Moana still hadn’t returned from

I heard the sound of heels clicking on the marble, and looked up to see Kelly running

her, but she insisted on wandering, and now she’s in the middle of

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