In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

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They arrived at the palace’s private dining room, the table set for four. Amelia and Niko were still away.

Amelia had sent her some photos of the private beach and house they were staying at. She was so happy for them Amelia had sounded more relaxed in her messages.

Keira smoothed her pink dress nervously as she and Alexei waited for his father to arrive. She had a sinking feeling the other place setting was for Maria. She hadn’t seen the bitch since she had turned up after Alexei had uninvited her. Keira had found out from Elena that Maria had gone home for a few days. Those few days had led to over a week, and she couldn’t say she missed her.

“Stop fidgeting,” Alexei murmured, his hand finding hers under the table.

“Easy for you to say,” she whispered back.

Before Alexei could respond, the doors opened. King Theodore entered, followed by Maria in a stunning burgundy gown that emphasized her Mediterranean coloring.

Keira’s stomach dropped. Maria. Of course. She should have known she hadn’t seen the back of her. But she wasn’t going to let the harpy get under her skin tonight. She forced herself to breathe and keep her composure.

“Father.” Alexei’s voice carried a warning edge as he rose from his seat.

“Alexei, Keira.” The King settled at the head of the table, gesturing for Maria to sit across from Keira. “I thought it would be pleasant to have Maria join us this evening. Family dinners should include family, after all.”

It was the first time the King had called her by her first name. It pleased her. She smiled at him before turning to watch the other woman waiting for the first dig.

Maria’s smile was perfectly polite, but her dark eyes glittered with something sharper, something well hidden. “Thank you for including me, Your Majesty. It feels so long since we were all together.”

Keira forced her expression to remain neutral as the first course arrived. Braised scallops in wine sauce, normally something she’d enjoy, but her appetite had vanished the moment Maria walked through the door. She knew what was coming… she just didn’t know how long Maria would wait before striking.

“Miss Warner,” Maria began, her tone conversational, “I heard your visit to the children’s literacy center was… eventful. Something about a child asking why Prince Alexei couldn’t find a proper princess?”

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Chapter 208

She should have known it wouldn’t take long. Keira’s fingers tightened on her fork.

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“Children say the most honest things, don’t they?” Maria continued, cutting her scallop with surgical precision. “Out of the mouths of babes, as they say.”

“Indeed,” Keira replied evenly. “Children also repeat what adults say. Not always well–informed adults.”

Maria’s laugh tinkled like breaking glass. “Though I imagine it must be exhausting, constantly having to defend your position. The stress must be overwhelming for someone not raised for this life.”

Alexei’s jaw clenched beside her, but Keira touched his thigh lightly under the table. This was her battle.

“Actually, I find it invigorating,” Keira said, taking a sip of wine. “Every challenge is an opportunity to prove people wrong. And I do so enjoy proving people wrong.” But she didn’t care what this woman thought.

The King watched their exchange with interest, saying nothing as the second course arrived.

“Speaking of challenges,” Maria pivoted smoothly, “I heard there has been a lot of negative press.”

Heat crept up Keira’s neck.

Maria’s smile didn’t waver. “I did try to help Keira and explain this life wasn’t easy, Your Majesty?”

Keira almost felt like laughing the woman seemed to remember their encounters very differently to how they truly happened.

The King said mildly, though his eyes remained sharp. “Keira will find her own path… It is still early days.”

“Exactly,” Maria agreed eagerly. “Which is why it’s so important to have advisors who truly understand these nuances. People who’ve studied them their whole lives.” She paused delicately. “I’d be happy to provide additional guidance, Keira.”

“How generous,” Keira said, her voice dangerously sweet. “But I have all the guidance I need. Amelia and Alexei.”

“Do you?” Maria tilted her head. “Because it appears a lot more help is needed.”

That was it. Keira set down her fork.

But before she could respond, Alexei’s hand covered hers. “Father,” he said, his voice cutting

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Chapter 208

through the tension, “there’s something you should know.”

The King raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

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“I was planning to discuss this with you privately tomorrow, but since we’re having such an interesting dinner conversation about media attention and challenges faced being a royal…” Alexei’s eyes hardened as he looked at Maria. “My security team has identified the source of the palace leaks to the press.”

Maria’s face paled slightly, her fingers stilling on her wine glass.

“Has it?” The King leaned forward, suddenly alert. “And?”

Keira realized the King had been aware of the leak, but she certainly hadn’t. Until now, she had assumed the tabloids were inventing ‘the palace insider” to make their stories sound believable.

“It’s been traced to someone with intimate knowledge of palace schedules and private family matters. Someone who’s had unusual contact with certain tabloid journalists.” Alexei’s gaze never left Maria’s increasingly white face. “Someone at this very table, in fact.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

“That’s a serious accusation,” the said slowly, his attention shifting to Maria.

King

“It’s not an accusation,” Alexei said calmly. “It’s a fact. Every leaked story about Keira, every ‘inside source‘ quoted in those vicious articles, every private family detail that somehow made its way to the press… all traced back to the same person. And it’s not a staff member like we first thought.”

Maria’s hands trembled as she reached for her water glass. “I don’t know what you’re implying

“I’m not implying anything.” Alexei pulled out his phone, sliding it across to his father. “This is the security report. IP addresses, phone records, even meetings with journalists at cafes she thought were discreet.”

The King studied the phone screen, his expression growing thunderous. “Maria.”

“Your Majesty, I can explain-”

“You’ve been feeding private information to the press?” His voice was quiet, which was somehow worse than shouting. “About a member of my family?”

Keira’s heart swelled at his words. It wouldn’t seem much to most people but to her it was everything, growing up with her uncle and aunt who hadn’t really wanted them and now having Alexei’s father claim her. It was… well overwhelming. So much so it brought tears to

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Chapter 208

her eyes.

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“She’s not family!” Maria burst out, her composure finally cracking. “She’s nobody! An American slut who seduced Alexei during a crisis!”

“Enough.” The King’s voice cut like ice.

Maria wasn’t very good at hiding her true feelings. First with Alexei, now with the King, the one man who could protect her.

But Maria was beyond stopping now, her carefully maintained facade crumbling. “I’ve devoted my life to this family! I speak five languages, I know every protocol, every tradition! I was perfect for him, and she-” She pointed at Keira with a shaking finger. “She waltzed in and ruined everything!”

“You ruined yourself,” Alexei said coldly. “Your jealousy, your entitlement, your complete inability to accept that I never wanted you–that’s what ruined everything. And let’s be honest, Maria, if Niko hadn’t already been promised to Amelia, you would have targeted him instead.”

“No that’s not true… I wanted you and you would have…” Maria’s voice rose to near–hysteria. “If she hadn’t trapped you-”

“No one trapped anyone,” Keira finally spoke, her voice steady despite the chaos. “Alexei chose me. I chose him. And all your scheming and leaking and passive–aggressive digs won’t change that. We love each other Maria… I don’t think you have it in you to understand the kind of love we share.”

Maria turned on her, eyes wild. “Love has nothing to do with it. You think this makes you suitable? You’re still just common slut playing dress–up!”

The slap of the King’s hand on the table made everyone jump.

“Maria,” King Theodore’s voice was arctic. “You will leave this palace immediately. Your presence is no longer welcome. If I discover you’ve leaked one more piece of information, I will ensure you’re prosecuted to the fullest extent of our laws. I will strip your family of their titles and revoke the family estate that belongs to the crown.”

Maria stared at him in shock. “Your Majesty-”

“Guards,” the King called.

Two uniformed men appeared almost instantly.

“Escort Lady Maria from the palace. She is to collect her belongings and leave within the hour. She is not to be left alone.”

As the guards moved toward her, Maria shot one last venomous look at Keira. “How dare you.”

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