Chapter 569
Chapter 569:
But she was not the kidnapped, terrified girl they had spent weeks agonizing over. She was draped in breathtaking diamonds, wearing a scarlet haute couture gown that spoke of generational wealth. She was flanked not by captors, but by four elite, deferential bodyguards bearing the crest of the Royal family.
“Did you really think I’d miss the coronation?” Azalea called out, her voice ringing clear and confident across the room.
She marched straight down the center aisle. Tears sprang to Eliza’s eyes.
“Azalea? They said Julian Royal took you p>
Azalea reached the platform and offered a brilliant, unapologetic smile. “Julian is my biological uncle, El. I wasn’t kidnapped. I went willingly p>
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The missing Koch ward was a Royal heiress?
“I knew Dallas was bleeding the company dry trying to fight enemies on all sides to protect us,” Azalea said, her voice softening as she looked at Eliza. “So I went back to my bloodline. I claimed my inheritance. I took over the Royal trust fund, Eliza. The people who were funding Wendy’s coup — I bought their debt this morning. I froze their assets. The war is over, because I own the battlefield now p>
Eliza stared at her, overwhelmed by the sheer, reckless bravery of it. Azalea hadn’t been a victim. She had been a spy, sacrificing her own comfort to become the ultimate weapon for their family.
“You idiot,” Eliza sobbed, throwing her arms around her without a thought for the gold ring in her hand or the audience watching them. “We thought you were in danger p>
“I’m a Koch,” Azalea whispered, hugging her tightly and resting a gentle hand on Eliza’s pregnant belly. “We don’t get kidnapped. We take over. Now let’s finish this party — my little brother or sister needs to inherit a peaceful empire p>
The embrace between Eliza and Azalea settled into a fierce, triumphant quiet. The ballroom erupted once more, the applause redoubled — not just for the new Matriarch, but for the safe return of the family’s daughter and the crushing defeat of their enemies. The war was definitively, finally over.
𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘭оа𝗱𝖺𝗯𝘭е 𝘗𝖣𝘍𝘴 𝗼𝗻
But the sudden release of months of suffocating tension took a physical toll.
Eliza pulled back from Azalea, laughing — and then the sound was cut short by a sharp, breathtaking gasp.
She stumbled, her hand flying instinctively to the underside of her swollen belly.
“Eliza?” Azalea’s smile vanished instantly. She reached out and caught Eliza’s arm as the older woman swayed. “What’s wrong p>
Eliza couldn’t speak. A wave of agonizing pain gripped her lower back and wrapped around to her front like a tightening iron band. She looked down, her eyes widening in terror as a warm rush of fluid soaked through the heavy silk of her emerald gown and pooled onto the polished marble floor.
“My water…” Eliza choked out, panic seizing her throat. “It’s too early. Oh God, it’s too early p>
The celebration around them shattered. Gigi dropped her cane and shouted for the estate’s medical team. Lincoln moved immediately to clear a perimeter, pushing back the panicked board members.
“We need a stretcher! Now!” Azalea screamed, supporting Eliza’s weight as her knees began to buckle.