The Royal Contract

"That's a great shot." His assistant praised him as he entered his office. 

He was playing a mini-golf game, set up in his temporary office while working in this place. He would prefer a game on a beautiful golf course lawn, but it was office hours, and he had to pretend to be working.

He walked back to his table and sat on his chair to attend to his obligations while cooped up in these four corners of a room. At least, they had the decency to give him a good size office with a beautiful view.

"So, what do you have for me?" He asked his assistant, who he had given the task to collect information for him through their investigators and contacts.

He was not just going to sit down and allow them to control him like he was their damn puppet. Well, he was not slaving away for their benefit alone. 

He was here with a mission. But who said that he could not have a little fun at their benefits. It was time to act while everyone was preoccupied with their time.

"Sir Edward, here is the information we gathered." His assistant, Vince, placed the files on his table. "Our sources are still digging for more." He continued as he moved a few steps away from the table.

He had served the prince for years, not because he had high regards to him as a person with authority or a person in general. In truth, he despised him for what he stood for.

By obeying him diligently and loyally, he hoped to serve the future king of their kingdom. A prestige only a few of his kind had the opportunity to have. And the promise of more than he ever dreamed of to have in this lifetime.

"Ok. Let me know if the team found more valuable information." Edward told his assistant with a gleam in his eyes as he read the facts written on the report.

Edward could not wait for the opportunity to enjoy the weekend. He had been playing nice and acting in good behavior with Alex's rules. All for the benefit of the kingdom that he was about to serve once he was king. 

Well, as far as his father, the Council, and Alex were concerned, that was what he was doing. It was all they needed to know so that they would not take the crown away from him.

"Will there be anything else you need?" Vince asked as he continued to wait, standing in front of his boss.

He would do anything for this man. So far, the prince had taken care of his needs and his family. Once Prince Edward was proclaimed king, he promised him a higher position in the palace. 

He was aiming for Lordship, so if he played his card right. Then that would not be far from happening. He could already see him and his family having a comfortable life compared to what they had now.

"Nothing for now. By the way, is Alex back in his office?" Edward inquired, thinking of what he had to do to spice up the day.

He continued to read the file in his hand, finding the report very interesting. He was starting to learn a few valuable pieces of information he would need in executing his plans. 

It would seem that some did not appreciate Alex's stay in this Big Apple.  Not everyone welcomed his sudden appearance in the business industry.

"No, Sir. I believe I heard that he had some errands he needs to attend to this morning." Vince talked about what he gathered from the other office staff from the other offices.

He could already see that the prince was concocting another of his plans. He might not agree with most of his actions, but he was the prince and his future king. He would do anything for him to get what he wanted too.

"Notify me when he returned to his office," Edward ordered. Then, dismissing his assistant, wanting to be alone with his thoughts as he considered his options.

He studied the files in his hands and realized that Alex also had acquired quite a few enemies on his way up the ladder. People he had stepped on and bypassed on his way up the business industry. 

The data and names included in the reports were very informative. Something that Edward could use for immediate reference for his plans.

At the top list were the names of the people Alex had conflicts with within the business. But there was one name that came up highly recommended as the most invested in taking Alex down. Nickolas Travis.

"This is perfect." Edward surmised as he kept studying the report in his hand. 

Surprisingly, he just learned that Nickolas had a connection with Daniella Hamilton. A very intricate past involving him to the sweet Dani. What a perfect coincidence? A nice touch on his plans.

"Vince, come back here. I have something that I need you to do for me." He called at his assistant, excited with his new plan.

He would exploit all possibilities to take down Alex. If he could take Alex out of the picture, it would guarantee his place in the kingdom and position as king. In a way, Alex was the only one standing in his way. With him gone, then it would only be him.

"Yes, Sir. What is it that you wish me to do?" Vince, as usual, was ready for his highness orders. He was literally at his beck and call.

"I need you to handle this. I want you to set me an appointment with this man as soon as can be arranged." Edward knew what he wanted, and he took charge of getting it.

He never made excuses and would never bow down to anyone. He was born to be a king, and he would be one. No one was going to stop him, not his father, not the Council, and not his cousin.

"Right away, Sir," Vince answered the prince. He took the paper and secured it in his pocket. He would get to it as soon as his boss dismissed him.

He wondered what the prince would want with the man. But he would soon find out. As his assistant, he had privy to a lot of the happenings in the prince's life. 

Although the prince still kept many secrets from him, he still discovered some of them one way or another. Well, those were valuable information that could mean his life or his death.

"And one more thing, make sure to include these names in the guest lists on the charity event." Edward handed him another piece of paper. 

He knew Vince had his way of doing things. That was why he was keeping him at his side. Vince was a valuable employee. But it did not mean he trusted him completely.

Anyway, he was excited to see the new guests attending the grandest party his cousin was organizing for some charitable work. He believed that it might even be the highlight of the night.

"There is nothing else. Update me when you finished with what I asked you to do." Edward waved his hand, indicating that he wanted to be alone again.

Alex was the only one standing in his way to his rightful destiny. He had always been the thorn in his side. Growing up with him at his side had never been easy. 

He was the prince, the son of the king. Everybody should be praising him and not his cousin.. Alex turned out to be the golden boy when it should have been him.