Page 157 of The Royal Art of Revenge

It’s not the voice of the Harriet who would roll over and accept his weak placations.

It’s the voice of the Harriet I never let him see.

The real me.

“Given that you also didn’t call me to discuss the news that broke early this morning, I can only assume you’re here because you want something from me.” I fold my arms across my chest. “Well? Am I right?”

He opens his mouth, freezes, and closes it again. “I’ve been trying to contact you via the palace all day,” he says after a moment. “Of course, today’s incident is part of why I’m here. We need to resolve that issue.”

Part of.

Same old, same old.

He must think I’m stupid.

“Do we? Could you not have resolved it immediately this morning?” I stare at him, unblinking, unmoving. “We took a DNA test as soon as I returned to St Peters. Instead of the speculation that’s been rife all day, you could have confirmed I’m your daughter with proof in a matter of minutes. Yet here we are.”

“I was just—”

“More concerned about ACN Industries pulling their finances from Sinclair Corp.”

He flinches, as if he wasn’t expecting me to say that.

“Surprised?” My lips curve into a cruel smile. “You clearly didn’t consider that any information I want is at the tips of my fingers. I know exactly what’s going on.”

“You…” He trails off, then runs his hand through his short hair, taking a step back. “I need your help. ACN pulling their investment has caused the company’s value to tank, and it’s in trouble.”

“I don’t see how that’s my problem.”

“I’m your father.”

“Oh, so you do know that. Given your silence on the very public discussion regarding my paternity, I wasn’t sure if you remembered it.”

“I’ll clear it up. Right now,” he says quickly, dropping his hand from his hair. “As soon as I leave, I’ll release a statement with a copy of the DNA test that proves you’re my daughter. And I’ll find whoever started the rumour and handle it.”

Unreal.

I laugh, sliding my hands down until they’re on my hips. “Don’t bother. You’d just find a way to pin it on me like usual.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rosalyn. It was Rosalyn who started this story in the first place.”

He freezes. “No. She wouldn’t. She knows… She knows you’re my daughter.”

“Hm.” I smirk. I don’t know if I hate him or pity him more. “It would be touching that you think so highly of your wife if it didn’t make me sick.”

“Harriet!”

I once again raise my hands, then I fold my arms across my chest. “I cannot help with you with ACN Industries. I know nothing of the people behind it, nor why they would choose to pull funds from Sinclair Corp. It has nothing to do with me.”

Technically, it doesn’t.

I didn’t even know a company called ACN Industries existed until twenty minutes ago.

“Even if I could, I wouldn’t. You haven’t protected me once in the past two years, so I see no reason to help you now. Perhaps this could have been avoided if you’d kept Jasmine’s entitlement in check and not left today’s rumour to run its course.” I turn back to the door and walk in its direction. “You should leave.”

“Harriet, please. I’m desperate.”