The 5-time Rejected Gamma & the Lycan King novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Annie thought for a moment before she met Harold’s gaze as she said, “Yes, minister. I am.” The Duchess’s non-apologetic answer and confident tone made Christian smile. Lucianne and Xandar were proud to see Annie standing her ground as well.

The Duchess continued, “Despite my absence, I know what has been going on in recent weeks. Cummings and Whitlaw have proven to be incompetent in defending a significant population of the Kingdom. Caunterberg is a perpetrator of the very offence he was expected to safeguard the Kingdom from. One of the two sons of our Finance Minister saw it fit to make false sexual harassment complaints for slanderous motives. What’s worse is that this son of hers even hoped to succeed his mother.”

“I recommend a review of all current ministers. We should have every contribution or lack thereof recorded in black and white. And for the next six months or one year, we should assess if any improvements are being made to right any wrongs.”

As soon as Annie was finished, Cora was visibly furious when she said, “I think that’s a waste of time and resources. If assessments need to be done, then let it be done on the newer ministers. We have been here long enough to justify our positions in this government.”

Lucianne spoke again, “Cora, perhaps you’ve misunderstood the Duchess. The assessment she recommends is to ensure that govering ministers are capable of leading in the 21st century, which means that we are looking for creatures who can keep up with changing times. Conventional thinking may have served the generations before but those who have been here ‘long enough’ and who can’t find it i n themselves to…grow with the needs of the future should have the decency to step aside.”

“Decency?” Cora questioned Lucianne’s choice of word.

Lucianne uttered firmly, “Yes. Decency. I am going to assume that all of us here share a common intention, a mutual goal, that is to do what’s best for the people, not for ourselves. There will come a time when our knowledge is no longer enough, and our skills are no longer relevant. When that time comes, we should have the decency to allow another individual, one who can maneuver in the modern ages, to take our place, since it would be in the best interest of the people to do so.” 1

After she said those words, it was clear that not everyone in the room was there for the people. Many were there for themselves, for power and influence. Lucianne knew this too, and to keep slackers on their feet, she said what she did to wake them up.

Cora was seething in anger at the insulting way Lucianne and Annie spoke. Xandar then prompted her, “D o you require any further clarifications on the Duchess’s recommendation or the Queen’s explanation, Cora?”

She swallowed a lump in her throat before shaking her head in response to the King’s question.

Christian went next, “My recommendation builds on the recommendation made by my Duchess.” It didn’t take a lot for everyone to hear the affection in his voice when the Duke said the words ‘my Duchess’. Lucianne couldn’t help herself from smirking cheekily at the blushing Annie as her husband continued.

“The assessment of ministers should be done by our people, not us, seeing that there will be a clear conflict of interest if we assess our own colleagues. I suggest every pack leader and every Lycan representative from each state be given the right to ascertain whether a particular minister should remain in power. Only the people can tell us if whoever we have in place meets their best interest.”