Chapter l98

Chapter 0098

The breath punched from my lungs. Linda maybe hadn’t eavesdropped on everything, but she had definitely heard that Nicholas and I had once dated.

“I imagine that information would be quite problematic if it was to be publicly known.” With a sway of her hips, Linda sauntered closer.

Problematic was an understatement, especially with the King’s threat on my life.

Nicholas narrowed his eyes. “What do you want, Linda?”

“Straight to the point, aren’t you?” Linda said.

“I don’t like games.

She shrugged. “Fine. Listen, I’m not unreasonable. I’d be happy to keep this information quiet if I’m given

the proper motivation.”

Nicholas crossed his arms. “And what would that entail?”

She tilted her head, a smile on her l*ps. “I want you to publically favor me. I want private dates, sitting beside each other at banquets, first dances at the balls. All of it. And when the time comes, maybe you’ll

consider me for the finale.”

I curled my hands into fists. How could she be so underhanded as to use this information, wrongfully

overheard, in such a way? Had she no shame?

But I couldn’t say a word against it, with the King’s threat hanging over me. As much as I wanted to tell Linda to buzz off, if she shared what she’d learned, I would be in the worst kind of trouble.

Nicholas, meanwhile, had no sense of my dilemma. All he could see was this person before him trying to garner ill–begotten gains.

“I won’t be blackmailed,” he said, glaring.

Linda, unfazed, tapped her finger to her chin. “I suppose the secret being out wouldn’t affect your princely reputation. Yet I’m sure you can imagine what it might mean for Piper.”

Nicholas glanced at me. The blood drained from my face.”

“She’d likely be kicked out of the competition for unfair advantage.” Linda continued. “You two have a history. It’s difficult to compete with that.

Nicholas’s fierce gaze sliced back to Linda. “Maybe it’s you that I will see leave this competition.