The Crown in the Storm ✔️

Teeth and ambitions are barred

"And lastly..." a loud ping distracted me from finishing my sentence.

"Sorry..."Rania muttered taking her phone out. "Uh... on second thought, you need to see this" I frowned in confusion as she pushed her phone towards me.

"What is it?" Mian Mansha asked. I felt ice pour down my veins. I glared at the screen hoping that the text would change.

"I..." my throat had gone dry and I could not form the proper words. Ammi Jaan looked at me, worried. Get it together Elena, you just gave a speech of how you were the best person to lead.

"Uncle EJ's alleged bribery scandal has been leaked to the press" gasps and shouts echoed around me. I stared ahead, waiting for the onslaught of questions. Feroze looked like he was having a seizure. If it wasn't so serious, it would have been funny.

"Well... crap." Uncle EJ said, his face amused. I rolled my eyes at his nonchalance. He leaned over to calm Mian Mansha down.

Before I could call order, a knock sounded on the door and Zaroon walked in with a strange look on his face.

"What is it Zaroon?" Ammi Jaan inquired. He looked at me, his face blank but eyes full of sympathy. My stomach twisted in dread.

"... Naila's on her way to Gulzar Mahal" I whipped my head to glare at Feroze. He looked shell shocked.

"Seriously Feroze?" Rania said from behind me.

"Why is she coming here Feroze? Who invited her?" I hissed as the noise grew. His mouth gaped open but no sound came out of it. "Feroze" I snarled, my patience running thin. He jerked and stared at me.

"I don't know... I did not, you have to believe me"

"How much time do we have?" I asked Zaroon.

"Around 45 mins" okay... so I had to solve Uncle EJ's issue first and then hash it out with Feroze.

"Close the door" Zaroon moved to do what he was told. "Enough... okay" I stood up and made sure to project my voice in a neutral way.

Thankfully they all quieted down. Putting my hands on the table I looked down on everyone sitting at the table. The heels were coming in handy now.

"Uncle EJ, would you like to explain the details of this case?" he nodded and started to explain. I saw the expressions change. Feroze was the only one who looked like he wanted to sink into the ground. Ghulam Uncle rubbed his chin, his face thoughtful.

"I know the man. I can get you out of this no worries. He owes me. We might have to do a show first" Ghulam Uncle said.

"What show?" Ammi Jaan asked.

"Ehsan might have to go to jail for a bit"

"No!" Rania and I said at the same time.

"We have to show that we're serious about change Khanum. Your Uncle technically did do something wrong. While he did not go through with it and the intention was not there, we need to get him cleared through the courts"

"This could also affect my campaign" Feroze muttered.

"They're asking for an official statement from Gulzar Mahal," Rania said from behind me. I was getting a headache from this. I looked at Uncle EJ and he gave me a reassuring look.

"We..." a phone ring interrupted me. Honestly, couldn't they keep their phones on silent? Jamshed looked at me apologetically but took the call. After some whispering and a rushed goodbye, he looked at me and cleared his throat.

"That was the Inspector Khanum. He wanted to ask if he can come and arrest Ehsan Sahib. Public and media pressure..." his voice trailed off as I stared at him. What was I supposed to do?