Chapter 295: A Crown Built on Lies
The wedding celebration had barely ended when another storm began to gather quietly beneath the surface.
“What happened to him?” Camila asked softly, her brows knitting together in confusion as she studied Elena’s troubled expression.
Around them, the celebration still carried on. Guests laughed and chatted, glasses clinked together, and warm congratulations flowed freely toward the newly married couple.
But despite the joy filling the hall, the quiet tension between the two women felt completely different from the happiness surrounding them.
Elena lowered her voice before answering.
“Mom called earlier,” she said slowly, disappointment heavy in her tone. “She said Chloe was pushed down the stairs by Hazel.”
Camila’s eyes widened immediately.
“Oh my God! How’s Chloe?” she asked quickly, concern flooding her voice.
Elena let out a quiet breath before replying.
“She’s fine,” she said. “Nothing serious happened. But the incident made things even worse between Torres and Hazel.”
The weight in her voice revealed just how serious the situation had become.
Camila shook her head slowly, clearly troubled by the news.
“I can’t believe Hazel would do something like that,” she murmured.
Both women instinctively lowered their voices further.
They didn’t want to draw attention from the guests nearby.
The wedding was supposed to be a moment of joy, and the last thing they wanted was to bring dark rumors into the celebration.
“Neither can I,” Elena said quickly.
Her eyes searched Camila’s face, as if hoping her friend might somehow explain the situation.
“I’ve met Hazel several times,” Elena continued quietly. “She always seemed sweet… cheerful… positive.”
She paused briefly.
“Even Mom liked her a lot. They got along very well after Hazel and Torres got married.”
Camila reached out and gently squeezed Elena’s hand.
“I know,” she said softly.
Then she hesitated for a moment before continuing carefully.
“Don’t misunderstand me… but I don’t really like Chloe.”
She scrunched her nose slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the woman they were discussing.
“She always seemed arrogant to me,” Camila added. “And honestly… a little antisocial.”
Elena lowered her gaze for a moment, thinking carefully before replying.
“I don’t really know what to say,” she admitted.
“I’ve only met her a few times myself. I never had the chance to know her well.”
She paused again before continuing.
“But honestly… I don’t care much about her personality as long as Torres is happy.”
Her shoulders lifted slightly in a helpless shrug.
Camila leaned closer, curiosity lighting her eyes.
“But why did he marry Hazel if he was in love with Chloe?” she asked.
The question lingered between them.
Elena rolled her eyes slightly.
“Ugh… that story is complicated.”
Camila smiled faintly.
“I want to hear it.”
Elena glanced around quickly to make sure no one nearby was listening.
Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice.
“Torres is a duke,” she explained quietly.
“And his wife will eventually become the Duchess of Monaco.”
Camila nodded slowly.
She already understood what Elena was about to say.
Elena continued.
“According to royal tradition, the duchess must come from a noble family.”
Her voice softened as she finished the explanation.
“Chloe… well… she’s just a bar dancer. She has no noble family background.”
Elena shrugged slightly.
The rest of the story didn’t need words.
Camila sighed quietly.
“That’s really sad,” she said gently.
“I feel bad for Hazel… being stuck in a marriage without love.”
She paused before continuing.
“But I also feel bad for Torres. He can’t be with the woman he truly loves.”
Her voice carried genuine sympathy.
Camila understood royal traditions better than most people.
In noble families and royal households, love was rarely the first priority.
Marriage was often about alliances, status, and legacy.
Many royal husbands married noble women for political reasons while keeping their true lovers hidden in the shadows.
It was an outdated and unfair tradition.
But it was deeply rooted in their world.
“He doesn’t really have a choice,” Elena admitted quietly.
Her expression grew serious.
“Torres has always put his duty to the state and its people before his own feelings.”
She looked down briefly before continuing.
“And now Hazel is pregnant.”
The words carried a heavy meaning.
“Once the heir is born,” Elena said slowly, “things will only become more complicated.”
She shook her head slightly.
The situation felt like a storm waiting to explode.
Camila frowned thoughtfully.
“So… are you planning to visit your mother and Torres?” she asked.
Elena nodded.
“Yes.”
“It’s been a long time since we last saw them.”
She glanced briefly toward the newly married couple across the hall.
“Matthew’s wedding gave us the perfect opportunity to travel.”
A small smile touched her lips.
“Dario and I already planned to visit Monaco right after the wedding.”
Her expression softened again.
“We also want to check on Chloe.”
She paused briefly.
She knew very well how special Chloe was to her brother.
In many ways, Chloe held a place in Torres’s heart that was even stronger than the woman he had married.
“Do you want to come with us?” Elena asked kindly.
Camila sighed softly.
“I wish I could.”
She looked disappointed.
“But since you’re going away, someone has to stay and manage the new project we just signed.”
Elena squeezed her hand gratefully.
“Thank you for holding everything together while I’m gone.”
Camila laughed softly.
“You’re welcome, boss.”
Elena raised an eyebrow playfully.
“Remember… we’re partners now.”
Camila had recently become Elena’s official business partner.
She managed all the company’s branches across France while Matthew continued practicing law in Paris, where his main office was located.
Their professional partnership had grown stronger with every passing year.
“Alright,” Camila said as she stood up.
“Let’s go congratulate the newly married couple.”
Elena nodded.
Both women rose from their seats.
Their families followed behind them as they walked toward Matteo and Clara to offer their heartfelt congratulations.
The rest of the evening passed peacefully.
The celebration continued late into the night with laughter, music, and endless well-wishes for the newlyweds.
But by the next morning, Elena’s thoughts had already turned toward Monaco.
Early sunlight spread across the runway as Elena and Dario boarded their private jet.
Their children climbed aboard excitedly behind them.
The kids could hardly contain their excitement.
They loved visiting their uncle.
Every trip to Torres’s estate felt like stepping into a magical world.
Monte Carlo Manor was famous for its luxury and royal elegance.
The children always enjoyed the attention, the grand gardens, and the many activities waiting for them there.
For them, visiting Monaco meant endless fun.
But when the jet finally landed and their car arrived at Monte Carlo Manor, the scene waiting for them was something no one expected.
Police vehicles filled the front driveway.
Flashing lights reflected sharply against the white stone walls of the mansion.
Elena stepped out of the car first.
The moment she saw the scene in front of her, she froze.
Police officers were escorting Hazel out of the house.
Her hands were cuffed.
The sight stunned Elena completely.
Nearby, Camille—Torres’s mother—was crying desperately.
She rushed toward the officers, her voice shaking with panic.
“No! Please leave her alone!”
“It’s a misunderstanding!”
But the officers continued their work calmly.
Her desperate pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Tears streamed down Camille’s face.
Overcome with panic, she ran toward her son.
“Torres!” she cried.
Her voice trembled as she begged him.
“Please stop them from taking Hazel!”
“She’s six months pregnant!”
Elena frowned deeply.
Her eyes followed the direction Camille had run.
And that was when she saw him.
Torres stood nearby.
Completely still.
His posture was rigid.
His expression was cold.
His eyes remained fixed on the scene unfolding before him.
He looked like a statue carved from stone.
But what caught Elena’s attention even more was the woman standing beside him.
Chloe.
Her eyes were red as if she had been crying.
Tears streaked down her cheeks.
Yet something about her expression didn’t match those tears.
Because beneath the sadness…
There was something else.
A faint shadow of satisfaction.
A smugness that had no place in a moment like this.