Chapter 248
Chapter 0248
Nichs
I helped Olivia as best I could with one of the benefactors, though in truth, she hadn’t need me to do
much but give her the initial introduction.
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Olivia seemed like a natural at speaking with others – or at least, those she wanted something from.
After introducing her, all I did was stand there and watch her work her magic. The benefactor seemed
enamored. I imagined he would do anything Olivia asked him to.
I wished I could return to Piper’s side. I was still worried about her. When she had danced with Terry, he
must have said some truly awful things to her for her to look so tired and stressed when she returned.
Knowing Terry, I could only imagine what vile fantasies he tried to ce upon her.
She’d been shaking when I’d been pulled away. It had been my duty to escort all the candidates I had
selected. I couldn’t, by nature of the rules, drop everything just to stay at Piper’s side.
I wanted to, though. And now, I deeply regretted upholding the rules and not following my heart.
Especially when I looked back to where Piper had been and found her missing. I stretched my searching
gaze across the entire ballroom, but Piper nor Elva were anywhere in sight.
“Don’t you agree, Prince Nichs?” Oliva said. She did that now and then, to try to include me in the
conversation. The benefactor seemed to enjoy the attention of a prince.
I hummed, not paying attention, and continued looking for Piper.
Elva had been tired. Perhaps Piper took her back to the room. But would she return afterwards? She still
had to meet with several benefactors, and I had not helped her very much. Julian had spent a full hour
with her. I wanted at least that much.
Olivia continued talking, not missing a beat. As I suspected, she only needed me as a showpiece, and
not a person.
Suddenly, a sh of shimmering purple caught my attention. The gown was beautiful but the woman
wearing it was who truly imed/my eye.
Piper? Had she changed when she’d taken Elva to bed?
That didn’t seem like something she would do, but perhaps she was trying to make a statement, or
create some waves to make her the talk of the evening. None of the other candidates had left to change.
The cameras moved in close to her. She waved at them, and even blew them a kiss.
That wasn’t like Piper at all. Piper didn’t hate the cameras. She’d always given them attention and
answered any of the producers‘ questions. But to blow a kiss?
A sinking feeling pulled in my chest, the more I looked at this woman. The way she carried herself heavy
on one hip while sticking out her ass and breasts. The way sheughed, her whole head thrown back,
while the producer tried to talk to her. She was openly flirting with him.
This wasn’t Piper. This was Jane.
“If you’ll excuse me a moment,” I said to Olivia and her benefactor.
“But –” Olivia reached for my arm, but I sidestepped her.
I rushed across the room, but I still couldn’t stop Jane before she moved on from the producer to one of
the benefactors.
“Like I would want money from such a fat cow,” Jane said,ughing. The benefactor she’d been
speaking to went red in the face. “Maybe you should invest in a personal trainer before you think about
any more charity work.”
“H–how dare…!” the benefactor sputtered.
I slid myself between Jane and the man, facing him.
“Please forgive Piper’s rudeness,” I said at once. “She’s hasn’t been feeling well, and it is effecting her
mood. I’m afraid she just isn’t herself right now.”
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The benefactor shook his head. “No illness could possibly excuse that level of disrespect, Your Royal
Highness. If you will excuse me for saying so.”
“I understand,” I said. “Though I hope you can consider forgiveness.”
“Maybe I can.” The benefactor tilted his head to something urring behind me. “But Mrs. Marble will
not.”
Mrs. Marble, the old widow, had enough wealth to rival the royal family. Her importance, therefore, in
terms of charity and support, was paramount to the kingdom.