Page 183 of The Royal Art of Revenge

“That’s better.” He kisses my forehead. “If she doesn’t get arrested or face any charges, then it’s not a big deal. Her involvement will be revealed, and she’ll be tried in the public court. Her reputation will be cut to shreds.”

I wrap my arms around myself and rub my hands across my upper arms to soothe the goosebumps there. “You’re right. And really, that’s enough.”

“And you still have the birth certificate.”

I smile. Brightly.

Because he’s right.

I do still have that birth certificate.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE – HATTIE

My phone screams at me at six-fifteen a.m.

The most diabolical thing about it isn’t the offensively loud ringtone I forgot to put on silent. It’s not even my father’s name on the screen, because that isn’t a shock in the slightest.

It’s the time.

Six. Fucking. Fifteen.

In the morning.

What kind of savage is awake and calling someone at this time?

“Hello?” I mumble, pulling the phone to my ear as Finn stirs beside me.

“Harriet! What did you do? Your sister was taken to the police station five minutes ago!”

Oh.

I take it all back.

There’s nothing diabolical about this. This is fucking beautiful.

But why am I the one getting the blame?

Oh, wait. Never mind. I always get the blame.

“Good morning to you, too,” I say, yanking myself up to sit.

“Harriet!”

“Yes, yes, stop shrieking at me and let me wake up.” I yawn and hold the phone away from me as Rosalyn joins in the screaming of my name, followed by some incomprehensible noise.

Honestly, you’d think I was the one who’d shown up and cuffed Jasmine myself.

“If you’re going to yell, I’m hanging up,” I warn, injecting some harshness into my tone as I set my phone to record the call. “I won’t speak to you while you address me in this manner.”

My father forces Rosalyn away, but not without some borderline hysterical complaining from her. “Harriet, what do you know about this? Why was Jasmine arrested?”

“Jasmine was arrested because she’s behind this entire situation. Presumably,” I add. “I can send you proof if you’d like.”

“You—was it not enough to do what you did with the engagement? Must you ruin the rest of her life, too?”

Finn sits up and grabs for the phone, but I swat him away and bark out a humourless laugh.

“Haven’t we already had this conversation, Daddy dearest?” I say dryly. “I’m not ruining Jasmine’s life. She did this all by herself. She contacted that person and paid them to spin those lies about me. Did you expect the palace to sit and do nothing? Did you expect me to sit and do nothing? I know you try not to pay attention to me, but I might have thought you’d start after everything that’s happened so far.”