Across boundaries (1D series - Book two)

Across boundaries >> XXXVI<<

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Across boundaries  

Across boundaries >> XXXVI<< 

Chester looked at me with eyes that were filled with puzzle while she could barely stay standing.

"Why did you steal the original will and alter it?" I asked in a firm authoritative tone.

"What are you talking about?" Chester asked. He was totally shocked, by the look of his face.

I ignored him, "I believe you know what I'm talking about." My glare was fixed on her.

"I..."

"Allie!" Chester said sharply. "Can you please tell me what is going on?"

"The will that was read out on my birthday," I said without blinking. "Was an altered will."

"What?! How?..." he exclaimed.

"The original will was stolen and replaced by a new will," I held up the envelope. "And it so happens that I found the original will in this book."

He tried to take the envelope from me but I was fast enough to withdraw my hand.

"Impossible..." he shook his head as he turned to look at his mother. "Mother..."

"In this new altered will, it was written that I have to marry you – Chester Gringham."

Lady Gringham sighed as she made her way to a chair and sat herself down.

"Would you care to explain?" I looked at her with questioning eyes.

Just then, the door bell rang out.

The butler returned to announce the arrival of Mia and Venn. Just about time too, I thought. I had sent a text to them while I was waiting in the drawing room earlier.

"My lord, Her Majesty is ...." The butler was cut off by the entrance of Mia and Venn.

"Thank you," she waved him off and he looked uncertainly at Chester.

Chester nodded.

"Mia," I called out. "You are just in time."

"Am I?" she broke into a smile before turning to look at the seated Lady Gringham. She walked to the couch opposite. "May I?"

Without waiting for anybody to reply, she sat her butt down.

"Should we start from the beginning?" she asked as she looked around at all of us.

I walked over and handed her the envelope before joining her at the adjourning couch.

Lady Gringham spoke up meekly, "I came across the will for the first time when the late queen had just passed away. It was stacked away on Rod's table and curiousity got the better of me so I took it up to read."

She continued, "After I saw that it was a will, I hastily tucked it away back to where I found it and forgot all about it."

"So you have no idea that it was missing?" Mia asked.

"Was it?" she replied with a puzzled look. "I have no idea about that."

"What happened next?" I asked.

"Early this year, Chester told me that you seemed to have gotten yourself a boyfriend," she said. "He was devastated. My poor boy," she looked at Chester in tears. "I could not bear to see him so sad. So I went to Thomas and reminded him of the pact made for Sophia."

"Mother..." Chester gasped in shock.

"Thomas was upset. I knew he would be upset. He loved his grandfather very much and had always wanted to do something for him. So he withdrew the funds and took back Sophia," she paused to catch a breath. "But Chester only grew more isolated. He couldn't bear to see Genovia falling and he couldn't bear to see you in this mess," she turned to glare at me, anger rising in her eyes. "He offered to bring you to the investors."