Chapter 550
Federico quickly clapped a hand over Caitlin’s mouth. “Keep your voice down! If anyone hears this, I’m as good as dead!”
Caitlin suppressed her shock, then whispered urgently, “What exactly happened? When did she contact you? Did she send someone? Call you directly?”
“Neither,” Federico replied, exhaling deeply. “Remember last night at the royal performance?”
He recounted everything–how he went to find Caitlin, got caught wandering, and ended up face–to–face with the Queen. “And that’s how I ended up in this mess. I’ve been stressed out ever since.”
Caitlin finally pieced everything together. The Queen of Auralia wasn’t just a fan–she admired Federico and had clearly made advances. Caitlin couldn’t help but think of the king in his wheelchair and wondered… was the Queen’s behavior driven by frustration with her husband’s condition? Was it a lonely woman’s secret rebellion?
But regardless of the reason, this wasn’t some petty scandal. This was the Queen of a sovereign nation. If Federico got involved with her and it came out… it could mean death. There wasn’t a man alive who’d tolerate being publicly humiliated–especially not a king confined to a wheelchair.
Federico looked grim. He glanced at his watch. The hour of the “invitation” was drawing closer, and the closer it got, the more agitated he became.
Caitlin teased him gently, “Most men would kill for an opportunity like this–spending the night with a queen? Sounds like something straight out of a fantasy. But here you are, stressing about it for a whole day.”
“Very funny,” Federico grumbled. “I’m an artist, not a… plaything. Come on, help me out. You’re smart. Think of something.”
Caitlin thought for a moment. “We can’t have you flat–out refusing her. That’d be a slap in the face. You’d make a powerful enemy. We need an excuse. Something that’ll make you unavailable, but also sympathetic.”
“Exactly! What’ve you got?”
She leaned in and whispered her plan into his ear.
Federico’s eyes widened. That… that could work. Might require a bit of acting, but I like it. Let’s do it.”
Around 6 p.m., Caitlin got a call from James.
“We’ve tracked Mikkel. He’s still in Sanctis. Just left ScandBuild headquarters and is on the move. We’re tailing his car now.”
“Good. Don’t spook him. I’ll come over once you confirm his destination.”
After hanging up, Caitlin and Federico got ready to put their plan in motion.
Night fell, casting neon reflections across the glowing city of Sanctis.
A luxury sedan–unmarked but obviously high–end–pulled up to the Sanctis Grand Hotel. It had been sent by the Queen’s personal
assistant to retrieve Federico.
As the assistant arrived, he noticed an ambulance parked at the hotel’s entrance. Frowning, but not thinking too much of it, he continued inside .
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But when he reached Federico’s floor, chaos was unfolding. Paramedics, hotel staff, and members of the European Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were crowding the hallway.
“Please move! Step aside!”
The crowd made way as medics rushed through, wheeling a stretcher toward the elevators. As the assistant caught a glimpse of the man on the stretcher, his heart sank.
Wasn’t that… Federico?
Once the medics passed, the assistant approached the nearest person–one of the orchestra members.
“What happened? Was that Mr. Colli?”
The conductor turned to him, clearly distressed. “Yes. He collapsed suddenly. I’m heading to the hospital now. You can ask his assistant, Esme, for details.”
The conductor hurried off with several others. The assistant quickly found Esme–Caitlin–and called out to her.
“Miss Esme, what happened to Mr. Colli?”
Caitlin looked stricken, her expression full of worry. “I honestly don’t know. He called me for help, and when I got to his room, he was already unconscious on the floor. I called for an ambulance right away.”
The assistant’s brows furrowed. “That’s terrible.”
“It is. I need to get to the hospital.”
She left with Ashfall in tow. With no one to bring back, and no clear explanation, the assistant had no choice but to return and report to the Queen.
Meanwhile, in a secluded royal villa lit by candlelight, a grand piano sat waiting. Wine was poured, music queued, and the Queen herself was dressed to perfection.
She checked the time again, impatient. When the assistant returned empty–handed, her expression darkened.
“What do you mean you didn’t bring him?”
“He was being taken away in an ambulance when I arrived. He collapsed at the hotel.”
“What?”
Heather stood up, her face stiffening.
“Why? What happened?”
“I don’t know, Your Majesty. They weren’t sure either.”
The Queen’s mood soured instantly. She picked up a wine glass and hurled it across the room. It shattered against the floor.
“No one dares refuse me. No one! And he thinks he can get away with this?”
As Queen of Auralia, she had given him the rare honor of a private audience–and he dared play sick to get out of it ?
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“Find out if he’s faking. If he is, I’ll make sure he never plays the piano again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
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At Sanctis General Hospital, Federico was rushed into emergency care. Caitlin and Ashfall arrived shortly after, joining the rest of the orchestra already gathered outside the ER.
Federico’s condition remained unknown. The conductor paced anxiously.
“What if something’s really wrong? If we lose Federico, we lose the soul of our orchestra.”
It was no exaggeration. The European Royal Philharmonic’s global success largely came from Federico’s reputation. He was their star. Without him, their future was in jeopardy.
“God, I hope he’s alright.”
“Please, let him be okay.”
The group began quietly praying, each person gripped with concern. Caitlin tried to keep everyone calm.
“Let’s not panic until we know more. I believe Federico’s going to be fine.”
“Yes, yes. He’ll be okay. He has to be.”
The Queen’s assistant arrived as well, standing at a distance, silently watching the ER door.
Time dragged on. Then, finally, the emergency room doors swung open.
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