Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 134: A Change Of Place

Chapter 134: A Change Of Place

Mr. Ed’s touch and mannerisms as he protected her, reminded Talia of someone; someone who ruled her nightmares.

Talia knew she cannot faint in front of the cameras and gritted her teeth to stay awake

Her heart started to beat erratically and a small layer of perspiration formed in her forehead. Soon she was surrounded by her guards and they all almost carried her to the car.

"Sir Robert! Do you know what happened to her previous Knight?"

Among all the other noises, Talia could hear one loud voice before the car door closed.

The moment the door closed, Talia felt her eyes blacken. She could vaguely hear Rebecca’s cry, calling her name. She wanted to open her eyes, but she couldn’t.

When she came to, there was a doctor by her side and she could feel slight pain in her arm. They must have injected her with some medicine.

"Tallie... You made us all worried!" Rebecca hugged her neck and cried. Mr. Ed, Amy and some other guards were all there too.

Talia learnt that she’s been out for sometime and as the doctor said it would be better if she talked to her psychiatrist, she connected with her.

She wasn’t willing to, but since everyone around her were worried, Talia decided to talk with her doctor, Dr. Reiner. She talked for a long time and Talia this time felt no need for hiding anything to her and she opened up. She also didn’t forget to mention she had stopped taking the medications these days.

Dr. Reiner could feel the difference in her attitude. It was far better than it was a month ago. And so she suggested to get off the medications.

Talia didn’t know what happened after, but that evening itself, she got permission from King Louis to stay with Rebecca in her hometown for a couple of weeks until he gets there for the signing of the deal.

Rebecca almost jumped out of joy and Talia had to remind her not to jump since she is in the first trimester of her pregnancy.

"Are you really fine to leave, Rebecca?" Talia asked. She felt a little guilty that she couldn’t even console her after that incident with Joe.

"Oh, Talia!" Rebecca sat beside her and wrapped her arm around her shoulder and swayed side to side. Talia who doesn’t like people touching her shoulder tried to pry her hands away, but failed and so sheet her.

"Am I a terrible friend because I was glad that your fainting episode took my mind off my worries?" Rebecca asked knocking Talia’s head with hers.

"Not really. Glad I’ve been of help, although I made you worried," Talia chucked. She never had this kind of friend who’d make a good thing out of a bad thing. And one who is this brazenly honest.

This kind of friend is better.

"I’m so excited.... You’ll love our town! Let’s ride the horses and there are a lot of dogs... Bertie will be missing me... Oh, I miss them all!..."

Talia quietly packed her bags not entirely listening to Rebecca’s rant. There was an odd fear in the bottom of her heart.

What if I bring trouble to her too?

Although Mr. Ed said that the security is all taken care of and Rebecca assured her that people in her town won’t be afraid of some mercenaries even if they tried to attack her, Talia still couldn’t shake off that odd feeling in her heart.

And so, Talia and Rebecca were brought to the airport and Talia was stunned to see a gaggle of reporters outside her building. Talia figured that since her address is known, the reporters won’t leave her place and harass her and that’s why Louis arranged for this change of place.

"I really cannot wait to be in your hometown warm during winter!" Talia said rubbing her hands together and blowing in it. "This country is so big there are places with many climates. Like a bird we can migrate wherever we want without a visa! South during winter...warm winter! " Talia hummed happily.

Somehow sitting inside the car, she felt like a child, excited about their vacation.

" Warm? "Mr. Ed sitting in the driver seat, turned and looked at Talia," Your Highness, Ms. Rebecca’s hometown is not in the South but in the West! The climate will be similar to what you are used to as a child; like in Esteria. Have you packed warm? " he was concerned.

Talia glared at Rebecca now shifting away from Talia. "I’d have killed you if you’re not pregnant!" Talia gritted her teeth.

"He he... Tallie..."Rebecca grinned awkwardly, "I wanted to bring you to my hometown and you wanted to visit warm places during winter and so I lied where..."

"Liar!" Talia hit her arm lightly.

"Well, if it means anything, my town is the warmest town in our state with only forty days snowfall," Rebecca grinned ear to ear.

" Forty days?" Talia exclaimed, "I’m stupid! I should’ve known by the way you get sunburns easily that you’re not from a hot state!" she mumbled.

"Uncle, I packed her clothes. We can leave now..." Rebecca hurried Mr. Ed seeing Talia turning to the side with a pout and Mr. Ed drove the car with a smile.

What an odd pair!

---

Arthur scrolled through his phone seeing the series written about Talia’s appearance in the President of A country’s private luncheon.

There weren’t much details since the meetings were kept private, and there were only pictures of her entering and leaving.

But that didn’t stop the tabloids from speculating and imagining things to write about. There was even one article that said that Talia made the first daughter cry the whole time and the President threw her out of the luncheon.

Arthur could only roll his eyes. Like his Iris can hurt a small child! She’d die before a child gets hurt.

His long index finger traced over the picture of her leaving the building. She looked unwell.

It probably was the cameras!

He regretted his inability to be near her when she is struggling. But everything is going as he planned here.

The council now is under the control of Olivia and everyone in the country are singing Olivia’s praises. Although he didn’t directly helped her, he showed himself to be on her side. For now Olivia believes that he saved Talia that day because he wanted to be in the good graces of Jerome Brunton and get the company under his control.

And now, seeing the power Olivia holds in the Council, some men sitting in the much coveted seats of the High Council are not pleased. And slowly the old alliances are breaking down.

Everyone’s being wary of Olivia and no one even doubts him as he is laying low and does whatever is asked of him. That stupid woman he is supposedly engaged to aids him greatly in that aspect.

As for the stupid workers wanting to take over the Northern Star and nationalise it, they can be handled easily as he is keeping a closer eye on them.

For now, everything is under control.

The shares... Arthur’s lips curved up thinking about the shares.

Jerome... He is amazing!

Everyone knew Jerome owned sixty three percentage of shares in Northern Star. Northern Star is a public trading company and so twenty five percentage of shares were owned by people who invested in stocks. And the rest few were owned by the other board members.

No one knew that out of Jerome’s sixty three percentage shares, only thirty is owned by him and the rest is in his late wife’s name.

And in legal documents, the share that belonged to Jerome’s late wife will be looked after by Jerome himself until it will be transferred to his granddaughter when she turns thirty years old.

And although the entire board thinks that Arthur is the majority shareholder, the truth is far beyond their knowledge.

Jerome was and is the major shareholder of Northern Star... At least for another four years and then it will be Iris.

Arthur really didn’t mind that. Maybe when they get married and have children, he will transfer his shares to their children.

He really don’t care about shares or money. He only wanted his Iris and her happiness. He loves working in the company and he will do so with gusto in the future, no matter if he owned any shares or not.

Iris! We can be together soon! I’ll bring out that mystery man soon!

"Lady Sophia sent an invitation for a garden party arranged by Lady Caroline Doherty. Your schedule is free. What should -"

"I’m busy!" Arthur was not pleased to hear about that Sophia now.

"I don’t like receiving her letters in your official email address and phone number. Maybe you should give her your private--"

"No need!" Arthur cut Jordan off. Isn’t that why Jordan is employed as his secretary? To take care of this nonsense?

"Someone’s using your official account from another IP address. Nathan assures it is Talia Brunton. Should we -"

"Really?" Arthur’s eyes brightened up. That sneaky little flower!

"Should I change the password?"

"No need... Maybe... Never mind!" Arthur waved his hand. He thought maybe he can send cryptic messages to her using this, but he didn’t want to get over excited and mess up.

For now the one watching him believes there is no contact between him and Talia. It is weird that he is not bothering with Northern Star and it’s finances and projects, but only following him.

Jerome saw the uplifted expression of Arthur at the mention of Talia and didn’t know what to think.

If he is so in love with Talia, why is he so keen on leading on Sophia? She thinks she has a chance to be with Arthur!

"Lord Wallace and Pharmacy Minister had a phone call yesterday and I received news that Lord Wallace got permission to bring drugs from A Country to our country with tax exemption," Jordan said and saw Arthur’s face hardening.

"How?"

Arthur was planning to expose the deeds of the Council to the public by bringing out how the council stopped Lord Wallace from building his company in Esteria.

For that, Wallace Pharma needed to get bashed in the media for not providing the medicines even in the case of epidemic and looking for profit.

The public won’t be able to understand the sanctions and tariffs put by other nations and they’d think bad of Lord Wallace.

Arthur thought using this trouble, he can manipulate Lord Wallace to turn against the Council and expose the truth to the public.

The council needs to be dismantled. So...

How did his plan get spoilt?