CHAPTER 267: FLORA’S TIME IS LIMITED?

Gabriel finished signing the last file and let the pen rest on the table when Karmen walked in.

"Your father is here," he informed.

"What? Why?" Gabriel left his seat immediately.

"I don’t know. A security guard at the gate informed me. His Majesty is already in the elevator," Karmen said.

He walked out of the office while Karmen followed him closely. They both stopped right in front of the elevator. The other executives in the company had also come to greet their Alpha King.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the floor number and finally a ping sound came. The doors opened and all of them bowed in respect.

Raidan stepped out of the elevator and met his son’s gaze, who had already lifted his head.

"You all can relax. I’m here to see my son, nothing more," Raidan said in a soft tone. "Show me the way to your office," he told Gabriel.

"Please, this way, Dad," said Gabriel and the two walked ahead. Behind them Raidan’s trusted bodyguard and Gabriel’s beta walked closely.

As Raidan entered the office, Gabriel turned to Karmen, asking him to send tea for the Alpha King. He, too, went inside and saw his father had already taken a seat on the office couch.

Gabriel poured a glass of water for his father and placed it gently on the table before Raidan. The Alpha King leaned forward and grabbed the glass.

"Why did Dad come here without informing me?" Gabriel looked at his father in bewilderment.

Raidan sipped the water first before lowering the glass on the table.

"Can’t I give surprise visit to my son?" Raidan arched his eyebrow. He gestured to Gabriel to take a seat.

"I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just Dad never visited me like this," Gabriel answered, taking a seat across from him.

"You should’ve told me the moment you found out what Mabel did," Raidan said, his expression hardening now. "It’s my fault to never stop her troubling you. I thought she would start showing love toward you some day." A sigh escaped his mouth as he realized he failed understanding his own wife.

"I didn’t tell you because I knew it wouldn’t change anything. I made the right choice by leaving with Amelie. You know why I came to San Ravendale a long time ago, Dad. I’ve cut those ties. Whatever the rest of the family thinks of me... it doesn’t matter anymore. My own family will start soon. The pup will be out in the world, then I’ll be a father. I can’t keep thinking about what my mother did or find any way to correct her. I’ve done enough already," Gabriel explained his stance to his father.

Raidan nodded his head as he understood the words of his son. "I won’t call you back either. I know you built this place with lots of efforts. Every time I step in San Ravendale, it surprises me how nicely you planned this city. As for your own family, I agree. You’ll be a father soon to a beautiful pup." A small smile formed on the Alpha King’s lips, which was enough for Gabriel to feel at least his father’s blessings were there.

They heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," Gabriel said.

An assistant walked in with a tray in her hand. She laid the cup on the table, bowed to them and left silently.

"Have tea," Gabriel told him.

"I’ll stay the night at your house. You can’t refuse for it," Raidan said before holding the cup.

"Sure," Gabriel replied with a smile.

~~~~~

Back in the mansion, Amelie saw off her mother and sister in the car. Carlos remained standing right beside her, and they both returned to the living room.

"Your sister seems depressed. Seems like she’s undergoing a lot of societal judgement and pressure," Carlos began.

"Did you see something in her too?" asked Amelie.

"No. But her face said a lot," Carlos replied.

"She’s doing better than she was before... but that doesn’t say much. Flora should have been my pillar of strength, but instead, she used to look down on me. She believed every lie that Alex fed her and had an affair with her. And when the truth finally came out, when she realized he had framed her for everything later, her world crumbled."

She took a brief pause, taking a deep breath.

"The worst part was the aftermath. The pack turned on her. They bullied her, tormented her, made her feel like she was less than dirt. She lost everything. Her reputation, her dignity. There was a time when she told me she didn’t see the point in living anymore. That’s when I decided I should help my sister. It was a hard decision. But I couldn’t see her taking her own life."

"That explains how forgiving you are," Carlos said, his eyes lingering on her with admiration. "It’s not wrong to forgive, but it’s also the hardest thing anyone can do in this world. Flora... she seems to truly understand what you did for her."

But deep inside, his thoughts stirred uneasily. ’Her future... I couldn’t see it. Why do I feel Flora’s time is limited?’ A frown formed between his brows, but he said nothing.

"You’re right," Amelie responded softly, walking beside him. "Forgiveness is never easy. But I chose it, for both of us. I just hope she uses that second chance to become someone stronger and better."

They reached the couch, pausing there when Albus entered with urgency in his steps.

"Madam," he said with a respectful nod. "The Alpha King has arrived in San Ravendale. He’s currently with Prince Gabriel at the company headquarters."

Amelie straightened at the news. "I see... Then we should make proper preparations for his welcome." She turned to Carlos. "This visit might mean something important."

Looking back at Albus, she added, "Please have the guest suite cleaned and made ready. And inform the kitchen, dinner should be nothing short of our best."

"Understood, Madam," Albus replied with a bow before taking his leave.

Carlos glanced at Amelie once more. "I can find more about the High Priestess from the Alpha King then," he said with a smirk.