Chapter 423: To test her loyalty
Casaio pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing a slow, weary sigh. "June has to be out of Nick’s life," he said. "She’s controlling him, I saw it earlier." His gaze drifted toward Gabriel, who sat opposite him on the sofa, one arm draped along the backrest. "Where are Amelie and Noah?"
"In their room," Gabriel replied. "Noah’s asleep."
Casaio nodded absently, guilt tugging at his voice. "I keep thinking... If I hadn’t planned my wedding for the same day as theirs, none of this would’ve happened."
"You’re wrong," Gabriel said flatly. "Juniper’s always been like this. She just hid it well. She’s rotten at heart. I’ve seen the way she looks at power. What she wants isn’t love or peace, it’s the crown. She wants Nick to become the next Alpha King so she can stand beside him as Queen. That’s what’s driving her madness."
Casaio straightened slightly. "Then I can—"
"Don’t even think about it, Cas," Gabriel cut him off coldly. "Why are both my brothers so fucking soft?" He leaned forward, eyes dark with warning. "Juniper will never reach the power she’s craving. What worries me more is that she might join forces with Ophelia. The witch has been hunting for a weakness among us. She already tried to use Flora, thinking she could reach Amelie through her, but Flora didn’t fall got her tactics. But June may. Therefore, we have to save Dominick first from the marriage, then test Juniper or vice-versa."
"You mean setting a trap for Juniper, to test her loyalty?" Casaio asked, his brows knitting together.
"Yes," Gabriel said simply, his gaze steady.
Casaio exhaled, his shoulders sagging. "Dominick loves her. I could see it in his eyes," he murmured. "That’s what worries me the most."
"Indeed, he does," Gabriel admitted, leaning back slightly. "But that love could destroy him. It’s pulling him into an abyss he won’t climb out of unless we intervene. That’s why we have to act before it’s too late."
He rubbed a hand over his face, a note of frustration in his voice. "I can’t believe I’m getting dragged into family politics," he muttered. "I’ve always stayed out of it, but no one’s ever schemed the way Juniper has."
"We will talk to Nick, then," Casaio stated.
~~~~~
"Amelie, things have been getting better at work," Flora said cheerfully over the phone. "What about you? How are you and little Noah?"
"We’re good, Flora," Amelie replied, her voice soft with contentment. "The little one’s asleep right now. Gabriel took us out earlier, not far, just to the garden. And guess what? Noah’s started speaking. Just two words so far, ’Ma’ and ’Da.’"
"Oh my god, that’s wonderful news, Amelie!" Flora exclaimed, a smile audible in her tone. "He’s growing up so fast. Tell him to call mr Aunty. I want to hear it."
"Of course!" Amelie said brightly. But her smile slowly faded, replaced by a silence that settled between them.
"What’s wrong?" Flora asked, her cheerful tone softening into concern. She sat down, sensing the heaviness in Amelie’s silence. "You don’t sound as happy as you should be."
Amelie hesitated, then sighed. "It’s Juniper. She’s been... creating trouble here. I took your words lightly when you warned me she wasn’t as kind as she appeared."
"I told you, I could smell the evil in her," Flora said, a deep frown forming on her face. "But what did she do this time? Did she say something to you?"
Amelie’s voice lowered to a whisper. "She said Noah isn’t a Sinclair. That he doesn’t have the blood of Sinclairs." Her eyes shimmered, tears threatening to spill.
"What?" Flora’s breath caught in disbelief. "Juniper said that?" She was silent for a second, collecting herself. "Amelie, don’t let her words reach your heart. Everyone there loves Noah, you know that. You’ve seen it yourself."
"Yes, I know," Amelie murmured, dabbing at her eyes. "But still... It’s not something any of us expected."
Flora’s tone hardened. "I told you Juniper was trouble. That day, she turned her friends against me, whispering lies and pretending innocence. She’s done this before. What did the King and Queen say? And I’m certain Prince Gabriel must have been furious."
"Yeah, he was furious. Right now he’s out with Prince Casaio," Amelie said softly.
"Hmm. You have to be careful around her," Flora warned. "Juniper will go after anyone who stands in her way. She even lashed out at Zilia, she’ll use Zilia’s past as a weapon if she can."
Amelie folded her hands in her lap. "I know. But Brother Nick loves her. I don’t want to hurt him by saying anything harsh. I feel like he’s suffering on his own." She swallowed. "You know how it is when one partner is toxic, life becomes unbearable."
"Then Dominick needs to face it, and soon," Flora said, her voice hardening. "If he doesn’t, Juniper won’t just ruin him, she’ll pull all of you down with her. I wish I were there; I’d put her in her place. When people at work turned on me, I didn’t sit quiet, I showed them who I really am. Zander’s advise worked."
Amelie managed a small, grateful smile. "You mean, they are no longer harsh to you, right?"
"Juniper needs someone like me to teach her a lesson," Flora said with a sly grin.
"You’re not evil anymore, Flora. Don’t call yourself that," Amelie replied, half-smiling.
Flora gritted her teeth as she continued, "I’m only cruel to those who’re cruel to me. I’ll come as soon as I can, and I swear, Juniper won’t get near you again. That woman’s already getting on my nerves."
"I get you, Flora. I suddenly feel light talking to you," Amelie said. "Thanks."
"Don’t say thanks. I’m your sister. In the past I never was supportive to you. But I don’t want to be like that anymore. Juniper shouldn’t have ruined your beautiful day. Just wait for me to come," Flora affirmed, giving her assurance.
"Okay. Good night, Flora. I’ll hang up now," Amelie said, ending the call.
Flora sighed as she lowered the phone to the coffee table. "June, you shouldn’t have said something so terrible about Noah. I bit the humiliation directed towards me, but not towards my baby nephew."