Chapter 161
“So, cuz. It’s safe to say that we’ve been yed on all those projects.” Christian noted in anger before
drowning down the coffee in his polystyrene cup as the four of them sat at a table in the court cafeteria.
Judge Cook ordered a short recess after Marie Martin fainted at trial.
Xandar was as infuriated as his cousin was when he responded, “And to think I was absurd when I
thought she or the others who backed her up shared some form of rtionship with thepanies they
voted for. It was so obvious that thosepanies weren’t the best!”
“But why would you dismiss your suspicions, darling?” Lucianne asked innocently as her small hand
rested on hisp.
With much shame, Xandar took her hand andced their fingers. He then peered into her ck orbs ,
before saying, “Because we did a background check, and we couldn’t find any blood rtionship
between our ministers and thepanies they voted for. And the ministers all had a mate at that time.
Martin’s own mate died from a car ident only around… three years ago, I think. I never thought
someone could bribe any of them by using sex. And since the audit department didn’t put a red g on
anything, I thought I was just being paranoid.”
Lucianne nodded in understanding as she uttered, “Looks like your suspicions have been justified all
along.”
Xandar scoffed. “And what’s the use of that? The damage remains. Nothing can be done to rectify the
years of unfairpetition. Now, the whole Kingdom would know about the countless projects during my
reign that are tainted by corruption. One for the history books.”
“No, Xandar. There is still something that can be done.” Lucianne said sterly, demanding her mate’s
attention before she continued.
Even Annie and Christian’s eyes focused on her as Lucianne spoke, “Issue a statement by tonight. Tell
the Kingdom what happened.”
“And say that the government wasn’t involved?” Xandar asked doubtfully.
“No, dearest. Say that it was. Own up to it. Marie Martin and the rest of them were govering members. It i
s clear that the government was involved. But they have been removed from goverment as soon as you
and Christian found out what was going on behind your backs. Tell the people what they deserve to
know: the truth.”
“The truth is that certainpanies sessfully secured government contracts with the help of corrupt
ministers, who had always managed to get the majority vote in government; the truth is that you’ve done
a background check on these ministers but there was no evidence suggesting that there was dishonest
behavior because you found no blood ties or rtionships between them and thepany members,
and there were no suspicious activities in the audits that were faked; the truth is that you did everything
within your reach to ensure that there was fairpetition but unfortunately, senior ministers were crafty
and maniptive. They went behind yours, Christian’s and every other honest minister’s backs to vote
for particr contracts for their own benefit.”
Lucianne lifted up his hand to peck a kiss on his fingers as she whispered, “The truth is that the
corruption was uncovered during the early years of your reign, my love. Kings rule for hundreds of years.
This is only your neenth. Not all is lost. Things can still be turned around. See this setback as an
opportunity to gain the trust of the people. By owning up to it, you’re giving everyone in the Kingdom
something you’ve always given me whenever you’re in the room: assurance.”
“You’re assuring them that no issue, good or bad, will be swept under the mat. You’re assuring them that
n o matter how bad things are or will be, you will not choose to look the other way or bury it. You’re
assuring them that you will always get to the bottom of things and find a solution. You’re assuring them
that transparency and ountability will always be guaranteed as long as you’re King.”
“And as for the projects from unfairpetitions…” Lucianne shrugged and said, “You could always give
away a portion of the profits generated by the government from the public’s use of the finished projects…
o I you could lower the tax rate a little if it makes you feel any better.”
Xandar’s eyes glistened in happiness and gratitude. He pulled Lucianne into a deep kiss before parting
their lips to ask, “How did I get so lucky to be bonded to you, my love?”
Christian coughed to get his cousin’s attention. His voice was more cheerful than before when he said, “
Sorry, cuz. But she’s bonded to all of us, as in, the whole Kingdom. You have to share her. She’s
everyone’s Queen, not just yours.”
“Thanks for spoiling my moment with my mate.” Xandarined with narrowed eyes.
Christian disregarded his cousin’s sarcasm and offered a wide grin and a yful bow as he said, “As
your favorite cousin, it is my greatest pleasure to annoy you, your Highness.”
When Lucianne was chuckling from watching the Duke bow like that, her mate pecked a surprise kiss on
her cheek before whispering into her ear, “Thank you, baby, so much. I needed that.” A kiss on her ear
lobe and he uttered, “I love you.”
As the usual blushes crept up her cheeks, Lucianne said, “I know. I love you, too.”
They still had some time before the court resumed its session. So, Xandar got out his phone to type out
a draft for the press statement. The four of them then passed his phone around amongst themselves to
proofread and edit the text until they were all satisfied.
Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.
###
After recess, the court invited Patrick Dupont to take the stand next. And after the first few questions, it
was clear that Dupont was derailing from his original defense. Initially, he said what the other ministers
said, which was that he epted the money due to Greg w’s coercion.
Today, howeyer, Dupont argued that he didn’t have a clue” that government funds inrge sums had
been channeling into his ount for almost two decades!