Galaxy's Only Triple-S: Five Lords Can't Hold Her novel Chapter 250

Chapter 250 Missing Funds

Chapter 250 Missing Funds

The room erupted.

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Claude shot to his feet, jabbing a bony finger at Margaret. “This is outrageous! We are hereditary peers of the Empire. We’ve served the throne for decades. On what grounds do you strip us of our titles with a single sentence?”

“On the grounds that I’m the Regent.” Margaret looked at him like the answer should have been obvious. “What, the late sovereign’s will suddenly doesn’t matter?”

Vincent couldn’t stay seated either. The genial mask slipped clean off his face. “Your Grace, you’re new here. Perhaps you don’t fully understand Imperial law. Even the sovereign cannot strip a hereditary noble of his title without just cause.”

“Without just cause?” Margaret let the words hang in the air, her eyes going cold.

She turned her head toward the Minister of Finance, who had yet to speak a single word. “Lord Stanley. What do you think?”

Howard lifted his head. That deeply lined face gave nothing away. He nudged his reading glasses up the bridge of his nose, his voice dry and cracking when he finally spoke, “Your Grace, youthful vigor is all well and good. But actions require evidence. Finding us unpleasant to look at hardly qualifies as just cause.”

Margaret held his gaze and caught the flash of cunning flickering behind his lenses. This one was on an entirely different level from the other two.

“Evidence…” Margaret drew the word out, her fingers tracing idle circles on the tabletop. “I hear that about ten years ago, the Imperial treasury had a rather large hole in its accounts. A massive sum. Unaccounted for. Enough to buy half a star system.”

Howard’s hand, still adjusting his glasses, froze mid-motion. Claude and Vincent’s faces flushed pale in the same instant. The change was there and gone in a heartbeat, but Margaret saw it clear as day.

“I’ve always had a sharp eye for money.” She leaned back in her chair, her expression hovering somewhere between amusement and predatory intent. “Now that I’m in charge, I suppose I’ll have to get to the bottom of that missing fortune, won’t I?“

The atmosphere in the room went ice-cold. Darien could sense something had gone wrong. But he still had no idea what Margaret was holding over these three men, and he didn’t dare open his mouth.

Cheiron stood behind Margaret, his gray eyes resting on the three old men with the quiet finality of someone looking at dead men.

“We’re done here.” Margaret rose to her feet and took Norman’s hand. “Take your time. Discuss it among yourselves. Let me know when you’ve reached a decision.”

She turned and walked toward the door. At the threshold, she stopped and glanced back at Howard. “One more thing, Lord Stanley.” Her tone was perfectly casual. “I’ve taken up gardening lately. I hear there’s a plant called starbloom-quite rare, from what I understand. You’re a man of considerable knowledge. Any idea where I might find some?”

The cabinet chamber doors slammed shut behind Margaret, sealing in the utter silence she left in her

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14:10 Mon, 6 Jul M✡

Chapter 250 Missing Funds

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wake.

Darien’s fist crashed against the table, sending coffee sloshing across the polished wood. He spun toward Howard, his voice raw. “What missing funds? What exactly does she have on you?”

Howard didn’t answer. The healthy ruddiness had drained from his face, leaving it the color of old ash. His hands were trembling so badly he could barely keep his glasses on his nose.

“Your Highness.” Howard braced both hands against the table and forced himself upright. “This Regency Council matter-I believe it requires further deliberation. I’m feeling unwell. I’ll take my leave first.”

He didn’t wait for Darien’s response. The old man turned and walked out at a pace that belied his seventy- plus years.

Claude and Vincent, already rattled, watched their strongest link abandon ship. They exchanged a single glance, then fled after him like startled rats.

Darien stood alone in the vast chamber, his chest heaving. He kicked over the leather chair beside him and sent it crashing to the floor.

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