Chapter 224

Arthur

“Alpha President, can you address the claims that your administration has been hiding budget discrepancies in the education sector?”

I take a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure despite the barrage of questions being hurled at me. The press conference has been going on for over an hour now, and each question seems more pointed than the last, all of them clearly inspired by Silas’ recent statements.

“Those claims are categorically false,” I reply firmly. “As I’ve stated multiple times, our administration has been fully transparent with all budget allocations. The quarterly reports are available for public review, and they clearly show that education funding has increased by twelve percent since I took office.”

The reporter doesn’t look convinced, but before she can follow up, another hand shoots up.

“What about the allegations that you were mentally compromised during the weeks following the Solstice Ceremony? Many are questioning your fitness to serve after what happened.”

My jaw clenches. Silas is really pushing this angle, despite knowing full well that I was being manipulated by Veronica.

“As my office has previously stated, I was being drugged against my will during that time. I’ve since undergone a complete medical evaluation since then, which confirmed I am now in excellent health, both physically and mentally.”

More hands go up, more questions about my competency, my judgment, my personal life. It’s exhausting, and it takes everything in me to get through it.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the press conference comes to an end.

The moment I’m backstage, I loosen my tie with a frustrated huff. These press conferences used to energize me, but now they’ve become exercises in damage control.

“That went well,” Ezra says, appearing at my side.

“If by ‘well’ you mean I didn’t throw the microphone at anyone, then sure.”

Ezra chuckles, but I can see the concern in his eyes. He knows how much this is weighing on me. “They’ll move on to something else soon enough. The news cycle never stays focused for long.”

“Maybe,” I concede, but I doubt it. Silas isn’t going to let up, not when his attacks seem to be gaining traction. The latest polls show his approval rating climbing steadily, while mine has taken a noticeable dip.

It makes me wonder once again if I should even bother running for a second term. The thought has been circling my mind more and more lately, especially since Iris told me about her pregnancy. Another child means more responsibilities, more time I’d need to be at home rather than here dealing with all of this.

But then I think about Silas in my position, making decisions that affect millions of people, and I’m not sure if I can bring myself to step aside. Not when my only opponent is someone like him. Someone who clearly hates me enough to try to destroy not just my career, but my reputation and legacy.

“Did you get what I asked for?” I ask, changing the subject.

Ezra nods, glancing around to make sure we’re alone before reaching into his jacket. He pulls out a manila envelope. “Wasn’t easy, but yes. Birth certificate, medical records, and a copy of the original paternity test.”

I take the envelope. “And it confirms what Alfred told us? That Leonard is Silas’ biological father?”

“Without a doubt,” Ezra says grimly. “The paternity test shows a 99.8% match. Leonard is definitely Silas’ father.”

I slip the envelope into my jacket. “Thank you for this, Ezra. I know it wasn’t part of your official duties.”

Ezra shrugs. “What are Betas for, if not to dig up dirt on your illegitimate half-brothers?”

Despite everything, I laugh. “I’m heading to my parents’ house now. Want to come along and see the fireworks?”

“As tempting as that sounds, I think I’ll pass,” Ezra says with a wry smile. “Besides, someone has to stay here and put out any fires that might start while you’re gone.”

He’s right, of course. The press conference might be over, but the day is far from done. There are meetings scheduled, reports to review, decisions to be made. But all of that will have to wait. This can’t.

The drive to my parents’ estate is shorter than I’d like, not giving me nearly enough time to organize my thoughts or decide exactly what I’m going to say. How do you confront your father about a decades-old affair and a secret half-brother who now happens to be your political rival?

The housekeeper answers the door with a surprised look.

“Alpha President,” she says with a slight curtsy. “We weren’t expecting you today.”

“Is my father home?” I ask, stepping past her into the foyer without waiting for an invitation.

“I’m afraid not, sir. He’s at a business lunch and won’t be back until later this afternoon.”

Of course he isn’t here. When I actually need to speak to him, he’s conveniently absent. “What about my mother?”

“She’s in the sitting room, sir.”

I thank her and make my way through the house. Sure enough, I find my mother in the sitting room, reading a book. She looks up as I enter.

“Arthur,” she says, closing her book. “This is a surprise. What brings you by in the middle of a workday?”

“I need to speak with Father,” I reply curtly. “The housekeeper said he’s out.”

“Yes, he’s having lunch with some investors.” She studies my face and narrows her eyes. “Why Is something wrong?”

For a moment, I consider coming back when my father is here. But I have to know: did she know about this affair all along? And she kept it from me?

“What do you know about Silas Creed?” I decide to ask vaguely, watching her reaction carefully.

My mother’s expression doesn’t change, but I notice her hands tighten almost imperceptibly on her book. “I’m afraid I don’t know much about him.”

I pull the envelope from my jacket and hold it up. “I have proof, mother. Birth records, medical files, a paternity test. Leonard is Silas’ biological father.”

She stares at the envelope, then at me. “Where did you get those?”

“Does it matter? The point is, I know the truth. Father had an affair when I was a toddler, and Silas is the result.”

My mother sighs, and reaches for the envelope. “Let me see those papers.”

I hesitate, then hand her the envelope. She opens it, scanning the documents inside. Her mouth presses into a hard line.

Then, she walks over to the fireplace, where a small fire is burning. Without warning, she tosses the entire envelope into the flames.

“Mother!” I lunge forward, but it’s too late. The paper is already catching fire, curling and blackening before my eyes.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demand, watching helplessly as the evidence burns away.

“Protecting this family, as I have always done.”

I stare at her, incredulous. “So you did know. All this time, you knew.”

“Of course I knew,” she says with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Did you think your father could keep something like that from me? I knew about the affair before the bastard child was even born.”

“And you stayed with him? After he betrayed you like that?” My mother has always been a proud woman, or so it seemed. I can’t believe she would humiliate herself like that.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Arthur. Your father and I have always had an… understanding.”

“An understanding,” I echo flatly. “So you just looked the other way while he slept with another woman? While he fathered a child with her?”

My mother’s expression hardens further. “What I did, I did for this family. For our name, our position in society. Do you have any idea what a scandal like that would have done to us? To you?”

I shake my head, disgusted not just with my father now, but with her as well. “So that’s all that ever mattered to you? Appearances? Reputation? Not love, not happiness, not even basic decency?”

“You have no idea what sacrifices I’ve made to ensure you had every advantage in life.”

“Like staying married to a man who cheated on you? Who treated me like nothing more than a political pawn my entire childhood? Who groomed me to be his perfect little successor while he was off having affairs like a total fucking hypocrite?”

She doesn’t flinch at my harsh words. “Your father provided for us. He gave you opportunities that most people can only dream of. If the price for that was occasionally turning a blind eye to his… indiscretions, then so be it.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. All these years, I thought my mother was as much a victim of my father’s cold, controlling nature as I was. But she was complicit all along, willing to sacrifice her own dignity, and ultimately, my happiness, for the sake of status and wealth.

“Goess,” I say, turning to leave. “You two really were made for each other. But I’m not going to let either of you cause any more trouble. Whatever scheme he’s hatched with Silas, it ends now. I’ll tell everyone the truth about them if I have to.”

With that, I storm out of the sitting room. My mother follows me all the way to the front door, and as I step out into the cold January air, she catches up to me.

“If you reveal the truth,” she calls after me, “you’ll regret it!”