#well well well...

If this gets out, it’s over for her boss, for the Duchess, and for the twins. All she will think of is to run the hell out of Del Sol Valley, and live in Sulani with her lover permanently. Her thoughts were broken when she heard Bernie’s vows. 

“Now that we are about to be wedded to each other, my Duchess Margaret, you no longer need to be alone, for I am here, not only as your husband, but as your personal private secretary, which has always been. I will not let other people hurt you anymore, not even the royal family.” 

And Penny started to look away, trying not to scoff. She looked up at the sky. Earlier it was clear, but now…even the sky disagrees with the wedding. 

She doesn’t know how the time passed, but she heard Perlas say, “Mr. Braxton, you may now kiss your bride.”

Everyone cheered, Penny herself tried her best not to make her clapping sound sarcastic, as Bernie swooped Margaux off her feet. She saw how Judith and her personal assistant shared a look, and it made her feel uneasy. 

Judith caught her stare, and the actress smiled at her. Penny smiled back politely, and she returned her attention to the newlywed couple. Maybe it’s nothing. 

The couple walked down the aisle, with everyone following suit. The photographer also followed, camera in hand. What was left in the little pier was herself, and Perlas. 

“It must be hard, my Rose,” Perlas said, standing beside her. 

“It is, honey,” Penny sighed. “Here I am, trying to pick up their mess, and here they are, making another one.”

“You can only do so much, my love,” Perlas gently guided her to walk. “You have done your best to protect their reputation and the twins.”

Penny agreed, her spirits lifting up. “I just know something bad will happen soon. No matter how hard they try to cover up everything, the truth will always come out.”

“Yes,” Perlas nodded, “and you must prepare yourself when the time comes. You must save yourself, as you can no longer save them.”

Penny stopped and sighed. Perlas approached and embraced her with a kiss. “Come now, my love. At least there is cake.”

Penny laughed. 

“Well?”

“It took a lot of reassurance but I convinced the Duchess and Mr. Braxton that the only copies of their photos existing are the physical photographs…that they have now,” Kristine said. Grinning, she added, “I have the soft copies.”

“Excellent, darling,” Judith smiled, letting out a laugh, “And the photographer?”

“Paid handsomely to keep his mouth shut. Though, apparently, he was made to sign an NDA by the other secretary,” Kristine said. 

Judith frowned, “The blonde girl?”

Her personal assistant nodded and smiled, “Don’t worry. I got the copy of the NDA, but I will still need the secretary’s copy…”

“Matteo can take care of that,” Judith smirked. “I’ll let him know. They wouldn’t suspect a butler did it. What would they know? He only does cleaning.”

Kristine giggled. “Good thinking, Judith! Now, just say the word, and I’ll have it sent to…”

“Now, now, sweetie,” Judith shook her head. “Let’s not get hasty. When the time is right, I will let you know. Let’s just hold on to it for the meantime. If we release it now, they’ll know who did it. Let the days pass by. Wait until winter. When college is over for her children.”

Kristine watched the look towards the dark horizon. Judith continued, “By then, Margaux will have no family left by her side anymore.”

She smiled to herself. “By then, her name will fade amongst the stars. Judith Ward will continue to shine.”