Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 226: Throwing Accusations

Chapter 226: Throwing Accusations

Arthur amidst the chaos caused by the greedy Lords, was checking his phone. The importance of the Council meeting was already leaked and there were already reporters waiting outside to get any scoop possible.

The Northern Star board members have been changed, removing all the nobles. Lady Sophia is attending the Council meeting and so the announcement about the breaking of engagement can be expected. And there were even talks about the Duke of Oakley’s title be removed.some said that this would be the meeting to decide the fate of Talia since Lord Lockhart is attending. So much speculations were going on.

People speculating if Jerome’s title will be removed were not pleased at all. Most were opposed to it even if it was reported that he joined Rosandale betraying Esteria. They all loved Jerome Brunton.

At that time, as Arthur expected there were already pictures released of Talia’s heart-melting reunion with her grandfather. But the pictures released by the Rosandale press was not the one trending. It was another candid picture released by some unknown user.

[This is what the Esterian High Council stopped from happening. How terrible, ain’t it? We all should be thanking them, right? *Eye roll*Cruel people!! *fuming*fuming*!

Look how adorable they are! *heart* *kisses**heart*. I cried watching them. And now I miss my grandfather. I love you so much pop-pop!!! *heart**heart**heart *

I’m really happy for our Princess and I’m happy that our great King knows the value of family. F*ck Esteria! #PrincessRoyal #grandpalove #familiallove #loveall #lovenothate ]

Below was a picture of Talia on her knees, hugging her grandfather on a wheelchair, and crying. Her hair was a little messy as it was being petted by her grandfather and only a little part of her reddened eyes and nose were visible. Jerome Brunton’s eyes were closed and a drop of tear had rolled down his pale cheek as he embraced her resting his chin on her head.

That picture and the post went was gaining a lot of momentum within half and hour of getting posted. Most of the comments were bashing the Esterian nobles for making an old man going through this when he is sick and some admirers of Talia were admiring how lovely and down to earth their Princess is. They offered her hugs and well wishes for her Grandpa.

As it was happening in Rosandale, it got reposted in Esteria by a veteran news show host who usually is against Talia. He added his thoughts to the original post.

[Leaving everything else aside, we all can agree that the Duke of Oakley doesn’t deserve this treatment from our Council. He just wanted to meet his granddaughter... After everything he did for Esteria, he truly doesn’t deserve this.]

This post also started gaining momentum in Esteria with many calling him late to the party. Seeing Jerome Brunton in tears as he hugged his granddaughter tugged the heartstrings of many. Jerome Brunton is one of the of not the most loved person in Esteria. No one has ever saw him broken like that before and it made everyone sad and they all turned on the Council.

People started commenting that Talia did the right thing by bringing her grandfather there. She fought for months to be allowed to visit her grandfather and the council adamantly refused. And of course some decided to bring up that she deserves what she gets since she killed Cyrus. But then they were quickly shut up by others claiming that if she actually killed Cyrus, why was she let go without getting prosecuted and so there should be more to it. Even Arthur was surprised by this new claim suddenly emerging.

Arthur’s lips curled to a smile subconsciously. Turns out, someone else is working for her or trying to help her.

That time, his phone blinked and it was a call from Talia. As he was deliberating if he should answer the call or not, Lord Clairmont started shouting at him. His eyes darted to Sophia who seemed to be saying something in his ears. Seeing Arthur’s glare, she hid behind her father.

Arthur looked back at his phone and the ringing had ended. He felt so disappointed. As he was deliberating to send a text to her, he received a test from her.

[Busy? Call me when you’re free]

His lips curved up. Unlike the other woman who’d bombard him with phone calls until he answers wherever he is, this one really is so understanding, isn’t she?

I chose well!

As he was about to send her a text, he could hear a bell ring. it was the King’s aide ringing the bell. The King was looking at him and Arthur stood up recognising the King’s intent to talk to him. It was natural for him to be respectful towards elders and although he didn’t like the monarchical system and the members of the Royal family especially Prince Edward, he respected the King a bit.

"We were informed that you broke the engagement with Lady Sophia Clairmont although you agreed to the engagement when proposed by the Council?" The Kings deep set hazel eyes locked with Arthur’s green eyes.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Although he looked polite, Arthur said unapologetically. It was his decision and he will stand by it.

"How dare you? You’re so proud of getting back on your words?" Lord Clairmont shouted at Arthur and the others restrained him as they noticed the King’s stare. He clearly wasn’t pleased by the bombastic Lord Clairmont.

"Why?" the King asked and Arthur looked at him.

"Because her characteristics is not what I look for in a wife. I’m sure Lady Sophia is a nice lady but she’s not the one for me." Arthur’s voice was smooth and gentle. He made his refusal so polite since he wanted to give a little leeway for Sophia. He did use her and technically cheated on her. But he knew for sure that Lord Clairmont and Sophia won’t be able to accept his goodwill and leave silently.

If they take the highroad and leave, it would be beneficial for them. If not...

Ah, there he goes... Arthur sighed internally.

"Why are you acting like you’re a gentleman, you b*stsrd? Your Majesty! He’s been dating my daughter for months and now after using her, he is throwing her away like garbage. You cannot allow this. Please give justice to my daughter. After this blatant humiliation, how will she ever face the world and how will she survive? What about her future? I’m scared for my daughter... " Lord Clairmont went on with his pleas while Sophia added to it with her muffled sobs, looking like a scared bunny fearing for its life and future.

Arthur wanted to laugh at the father-daughter acting in tandem, but he held back his laughter.

Her future? What about Jordan’s future she is trying to destroy?

"After knowing she was used by Arthur like a..." Lord Clairmont held his chest.

Arthur knitted his brows. It seemed like Lord Clairmont was insinuating something.

"Come on now... They are adults and times are different now. No one is going to speak bad about your daughter just because she slept with the guy she was engaged before." Lord Brenner spoke in a soothing tone. He didn’t like seeing Sophia crying like that.

Wow! Arthur was stunned. Surely things are getting to a new territory now.

" She had to go to a hospital after they spent a night out... She needed... She was hurt too bad... , " Lord Clairmont spoke with his shoulders scrunched and he became red as if he was really despaired and humiliated thinking about what happened to his daughter.

"That’s..."

Everyone looked at Arthur as if he was some vile beast.

Arthur just smirked and looked at his phone. So this is what he could think off? To say that I r*ped her or had rough s*x with her? Hmpf!

He pressed the play button in his phone. A sweet, youthful voice came out of his phone. The girls voice was smooth and soft and the man’s voice was distant and indifferent.

"... I heard there is a small lake and wooden bridge.. So romantic... Shall we take a walk? It would-"

"No!"

" Arthur... We have been together for long... We are even going to get married... Why haven’t we even kissed yet?"

"We’ll talk about that soon."

"Arthur...."

As the recording played, everyone became silent and looked back at Lord Clairmont and Arthur’s voice made everyone turn to look at him.

"She herself said it. It’s actually a video, so if you want to see, you can see it is actually Lady Sophia saying these words the day I spoke to the Clairmont family about my intent to discontinue our engagement. I don’t know why Lady Sophia had to go to hospital after a night out, but it was not because of me. I’m not a violent person and I never had the urge to even hold Lady Sophia’s hands till now. That’s why I-"

" You f*cking pervert! .... You record everything when you are alone with my daughter? " Lord Clairmont lunged towards Arthur and others held him back.

" No matter what, recording private conversations is a little....immoral. But still it proved that nothing happened between those two, so you can rest assured," one of the Lords spoke.

" But... But..." Lord Clairmont looked at Sophia who looked like she had seen a ghost. She didn’t expect that her lies would be exposed this openly.

Lord Clairmont now knew that his daughter lied to him even.

" What about your assistant who tried to force her?" Lord Clairmont said without any second thoughts. "I thought you saved her because you liked her. You even fired your assistant. Is that a lie too?" He had lost his mind by now. He could feel everything slipping out from his hands. His pride, his wealth, his dreams, his aspirations to be a billionaire... Everything!

" I saved her... Of course, " Arthur smirked.