CHAPTER 55
The tension at the gala lingered long after the chandelier had been cleared away. Security had tripled. William kept Kate close, not just out of duty—but out of something deeper neither of them had the courage to name.
"Let's go." He whispered into her ears.
"Hmmn!" She nodded slightly.
Back at the Dray mansion, while Kate was taking a nap, William received an unannounced visitor.
The visitor was no other than Carlos.
Kate's uncle walked into the private lounge uninvited, flanked by a smug confidence and a pair of cheap sunglasses he didn't remove, even indoors.
"Still dressing like a third-rate tycoon," William muttered under his breath.
Carlos didn't flinch. He took a seat like he owned the place.
"I came to speak with Kate. Privately," Carlos said.
William folded his arms. "She's resting. State your business or leave."
Carlos leaned forward, placing a folder on the table. "These are transfer documents. I want Kate to sign the company over to me. She's pregnant now—she should focus on her health, not boardrooms."
"Do you take this as a joke?" William said chuckling.
"I never had time for funfair games." Carlos shot back.
William laughed dryly. " You deceitful man! You disappeared for months. Now you show up like a vulture. Kate will never sign that."
Carlos's lips curled into a crooked smile. "You think so? You don't know what she's capable of when pushed."
William's eyes narrowed. "And you don't know what I'll do to protect what's mine. If you try this again, I'll bury you—not just in court, but in public too."
Carlos stood. "You can't protect her forever, William."
"She doesn't need forever. She just needs now—and I'm right here."
"Who do you think you are? A super hero." Carlos chuckled.
"I might not be a super hero but you'll always be my villian. I always take care of my antagonist well and trust me, you'll get the same treatment." William spilled out venemously.
Carlos hands get sweaty and he started feeling nervous. He turned around and walk out of the mansion briskly.
---
Three days later, at the Greensville International Tech Exhibition, Kate stood beside William as cameras flashed.
Reporters flocked to them, snapping photos of the couple as they toured the exhibition.
William held Kate's hand the entire time, even when she stopped to speak with other investors.
One reporter dared to ask, "Mr. Dray, any word about the baby?"
William turned with the calm of a seasoned billionaire. "We're expecting. And we're grateful."
"And Mrs Dray, What do you have to say?" The reporters asked turning to Kate.
William squeeze her hand firmly.
"I have nothing much to say about this but it feels totally different and great to be in this state." Kate commented.
Kate blushed as William's hand gently squeezed hers.
He didn't let go—not when they entered the exhibition, not when they left.
For once, Kate didn't feel like a pawn or an obligation. She felt… protected.
—---
At the hospital…
Tina sits beside Liam in the private ward. She held his hand firmly staring blankly into him. She stared at the body on the bed.
Suddenly,his fingers moved. Tina eyes widen and she sits upright.
"Liam, are you awake?" Tina asked,her eyes teary.
Liam eyes blurred and flickered open slowly. He exhaled slowly and sharp.
"How are you feeling? Do you feel any pain on your body?" She asked, helping him up.
"No I'm feeling a little better. What today and what's the time?" Liam asked slowly,a frown appearing on his face.
"Don't ask me any questions for now. Let me go get the doctor." She said standing up.
As she turn, Liam held her hand, nodding at her not to go.
"What is it?" Tina sits back.
"Nothing. Just stay here with me. I want to see your face. Don't go anywhere."
"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
"Can you give me a hug?" Liam asked.
Tina hugged him. "How did this happen?" She asked curiously.
"I don't know." He replied flatly.
"Let's not dive into that now." She said, inhaling his scent.
---
Later that night, Kate sat in her room, still dressed in her soft velvet dress from the exhibition. The lights were dimmed, and a soft jazz instrumental played from the speaker on her nightstand.
She gazed at the reflection of her small baby bump in the mirror.
Her thoughts wandered.
Could this really work? Could William and I truly be a family?
He hadn't just saved her at the gala—he'd stood by her afterward. Publicly. Proudly.
He hadn't mocked her for carrying his child. He'd embraced the idea. Even defended her.
Her hand brushed her stomach gently.
For the first time, she didn't feel like a woman trapped in a contract. She felt like someone whose life was finally forming—solid, warm, and safe.
Maybe... just maybe, this wasn't a fairytale. Maybe it was real.
---
But just as hope started to bloom, reality came crashing in.
The next morning, Kate walked into her office at CrestGate Industries to find the police waiting.
"Mrs. Dray?" one officer asked sternly.
"Yes?" she replied, confused.
"We received a report of financial misappropriation and illegal fund redirection within this company."
"What? That's impossible—"
"Ma'am, we'll need you to come with us. You're being charged with corporate fraud."
Kate froze. "There must be a mistake! I didn't—"
But her words fell on deaf ears as two officers gently escorted her out, their hands lightly brushing her arms.
As they walked her down the hallway, paparazzi—already tipped off—rushed to snap photos.
Kate's head spun. Her body trembled.
She looked up—and saw Gabriella standing outside the elevator, sunglasses perched arrogantly on her face, a smile tugging at her red lips.
Gabriella slowly clapped. "Bravo," she whispered. "Now let's see how far your prince can go to save his fallen queen."
Kate's fists clenched at her sides.
This isn't over. Not by a long shot.
"Now that you're gone. I'll make sure you rot in jail and I'll make sure William never get close to you or even recognize you." She laughs hysterically.