The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 90 : Cartier Manor Incident

Both Catherine and Henry reddened immediately. Henry opened his mouth to say something but then decided it would be stupid of him to even try.

"Is this the reason why you tried so hard to convince Dusk to bring you to the party? And why you also convinced your Mom for permission to stay overnight? You are growing up fast, but I hope you remember there is still a limit you cannot cross till you are 18." Luke asked.

"No! I was actually bored and had not seen my friends in school for some time. (She forgot that Luke knew the college had just started.) And Dusk had not seen what a Regis party is like... Uhh, no Luke, you are making this look bad. We were not doing anything." Catherine tried desperately. "I mean, we were just walking... The garden is beautiful even at night, we should try and make the same style at home... The lights were nice. But this part something wrong with the wires. We were not planning to come here actually. I mean, it was not planned or something. Then it was dark and then..."

"Yeah, and everything fell into place for you, huh? You think I am stupid, Cath?" Luke asked pointedly. He signalled and one of Dusk's Imperial Security Guards came forward immediately.

"Where are the guards of Princess Catherine? Check if they have any idea where she is. And why the shadows are missing." Luke asked coldly.

Hearing the question, both Catherine and Henry looked very scared. They had actually used some side routes to slip away, unknown to both the security teams.

"No sir, they think the Princess is still on the dance floor." The officer said darkly. There was going to be hell to pay for this. Heads would roll once the matter reached General Tarrier, the Head of Imperial Security. To allow the Princess to walk around the garden unprotected was unacceptable, immaterial what the circumstances were.

"I can accept your childish behaviour. As well as your attempt at adult behaviour driven by teen hormones. But such stupidity, putting lives at risk, I am not going to tolerate!" Luke thundered. "You will go back to the main party venue, right now. Finish your dinner quickly and then make an excuse to retire to your room and not leave it till morning when it's time for breakfast."

"But brother..." she started

"Not another word! That is enough. I shall let mother know you are not mature enough to be allowed to stay other than at home. Your stay at Continental Pacific is over." Luke said, his voice cold as ice. Even Dusk felt scared, though the words and anger were not directed at her.

"Go now!" he said loud enough for all the security to hear.

Then he turned to the officer. "Have the entire contingent return to the barracks immediately and be confined there till the decision is taken on the punishment. Inform Sir Oyster and General Tarrier immediately. I don't care if he dismisses all of them! Useless bunch of Security Personnel cannot keep track of a kid!"

As Luke turned to go, Henry called to him hesitantly, "Mr. Jones, would you please stay and meet my father? You are at our house and it would be unfair if you do not join us for dinner. And my father would be very happy to get a chance to meet you. I know he has been talking of you often in the last few months."

"I was not 'Invited' here, young Henry. So, I will not go to the house and join the party. I have come for a specific purpose and I will now return. Unless you want me to go back and show your father the pictures that I have of you with the Princess? That could be a part of my purpose, so I guess I should come over with you..." Luke said quietly without even turning back.

"No! Please don't! Really, we didn't do anything. It was a mistake. It's not what it looks like." Henry almost fell to his knees begging. Catherine also looked very scared.