Chapter 0231 Chapter 0231 âWhen you say strange things, what exactly do you mean?â
Elizabethâs expression darkened. âThey seem to have ties to some very questionable people. In fact, I believe I may have found some correspondence between them and Dr. McIntyre.â
My stomach dropped, âAre you saying David isnât the one behind the doctor?â Of course it was obvious that Amanda was aiding him in everything, but I never imagined David might not be pulling all of the strings himself.
Was it possible there was someone else behind his actions?
âPerhaps not him alone,â she said carefully. âWeâre still working to verify the information, but it seems Amanda may have been texting a cell phone linked to McIntyre.â
âI donât understand,â I murmured, the words almost catching in my throat. âThe Grays are broke. How could Amanda afford to pay anyone off or be involved in any of this?â
Elizabeth leaned closer, lowering her voice, âThatâs the other thing. I think her brother, Archer, may have criminal ties.â
âCriminal?â I asked, the genuine surprise evident in my voice.
She nodded gravely. âMy father is following up on it. Like I said, I donât want to say too much, but... rogues may be involved.â
My eyes widened as the memory of my kidnapping resurfacedâcold steel pressed to my skin, Amandaâs harsh words seared into my mind. Iâd always known she was behind it, but if her brother had connections to rogues, arranging it would have been far too easy for her.
I shuddered, unable to suppress the ripple of fear that ran through me.
Elizabeth caught the motion and frowned. âWe should change the subject,â she said gently, clearly regretting bringing it up. âI knew it was a bad idea to talk about this on a happy day.â
âItâs okay,â I said, my voice steadier than I expected. âIâm glad to know progress is being made.â
âAnd there are plenty of guards and security here today,â Elizabeth added reassuringly. âNothingâs going to go wrong. I promise.â
I nodded, exhaling slowly. âWell, if itâs a promise, then thereâs nothing to worry about. We should go start getting readyâ
Alexander hired some very professional stylists for hair and makeup before we change into our dresses.â
âIt really is impressive,â Elizabeth said, her tone lightening as she glanced around. âAlexanderâs managed to pull off something incredible in such a short amount of time. I wouldnât have even known where to start, and yet heâs accounted for every single detail.â
âHe has,â I agreed, a small smile forming as I thought of him. Despite my doubts and fears, I couldnât deny how much effort Alexander had poured into making this day perfect.
Elizabeth and I went into the adjoining room where our makeup artists had set up their kits and were waiting patiently. The first woman, an older woman with short cut hair, smiled at Elizabeth and motioned to her chair.
âItâs an honor to meet you,â she said politely. âDo you have any requests for your look?â
âI havenât thought about it much,â she said as she sat down. âMy dress is baby blue, if that makes a difference.â The woman nodded her head thoughtfully. âI can work with that.â
1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 0231 The second woman, a tall, curvasious woman with tawny skin, looked at me and grinned excitedly. âAre you ready for the princess treatment?â she asked.
âAs ready as Iâll ever be,â I responded. I walked forward and sat in the chair, feeling strangely giddy as I did so.
This was really happening. There was no turning back at this point. I was going to marry Alexander in only a few hours.
Whatever might happen next was up to fate. I had made my choice, and I chose Alexander.
+25 BONUS Chapter 0232 Chapter 0232