Liar!

"What?!", The plus-sized man sat up straight. "Don't push your luck, peasant".

Although members of the royal family didn't fall ill, it was still possible that they could get kidnapped even under his watch.

But...

It was highly unlikely.

He was sweating bullets now... A hundred million would take a toll on his financial status, but with his daughters... he would be able to make a comeback in about 3-5 years.

If nothing went wrong.

"Eighty million"

"Ninety-five", Caleb retorted.

"Eighty-five".

"Ninety".

"Fine!", Sir Randall slapped the table. "Your family won't forgive you... you know?".

Caleb chuckled. "What do I care? I'll be starting a new life away from them anyway".

"So the whole act about your wife was a farce?". His eyes narrowed at the wicked commoner.

"No... she's actually very ill. But it's incurable.... Sickle cell". He didn't stop talking so the nobleman won't reconsider the offer. "My genotype is AA. So... it blended with hers and we had perfect royal blood children".

"I wish I'd picked a better princess to run away with all these years", he rolled his eyes. "It's been years of planning, but it's finally time to get my life back on track".

"I see....".

"If that's all, I'll be leaving now", he stopped a few feet away from them. "But, do tell my girls I borrowed money to save their mother lest they'd struggle. I'll be faking my death a few months before you come to pick them up in five years..."

"Do you think it's wise to tell me your plans?".

Caleb waved. "Don't worry, it won't affect me in any way. You won't even be able to find a trace of me in Thames. He rubbed his chin. "And I didn't kidnap the princess, she was already rejected by the rest of her family and decided to run away with me. No one will bother to arrest me, instead - you'll have more competitors".

As the man left, Lord Randall couldn't help but feel sorry for his generation. "Chadwick, prepare a carriage.... We're going to the bank. But we'll have to test his daughters ourselves to make sure he's not lying".

Chadwick bowed. "I'll invite a doctor, Sir".

On arriving home, Caleb managed to keep up his act. "Daddy's home!", he pushed the door open and Vanessa came running into his arms, Natalie remained seated beside her mother without sparing him a glance.

Raising Vanessa in his arms, he spun her around.

"Daddy!!", she laughed as the wind blew through her hair. She was the happiest whenever their father returned.

"My adorable little angel", he casually dropped her beside his bag. "How's your mum?".

Vanessa looked like she was about to cry as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "She hasn't eaten since you left daddy".

Noticing that Caleb had come to her mother's bedroom, Natalie left the room to their front door after managing a smile. "Welcome".

"I have good news, honey". He held her frail hand in his. "I borrowed money from the Randalls to get you treated and start a new business".

Her eyes seemed to light up. "Thank you...", her voice was weak.

Vanessa hugged her father. "Daddy, you'll save mummy, right?", her eyes were about to burst out with tears of joy.

"I'll get her the best doctor, don't worry". He patted her naive head. The way she often clung to him was quite annoying. It'd have been best if she could be more like Natalie who seemed to avoid him.

He'd just told another lie again. He planned to get the cheapest doctor so it'll at least be like he made an effort.

Just her pills were expensive enough!

In five years, he'd be changing his name and identity and all these wasted years would be worth the money. It was quite frustrating when he'd discovered the princess he'd run away with fourteen years ago was a sickle cell.

He'd have been filthy rich by now!

"Daddy?", Vanessa's head slanted as he had a stern look on his face. "Is anything wrong?"

He shook his head as his mind returned to the present.

On the contract he'd signed, they would take Vanessa in five years... And Nathalie in ten years.

And apart from Sir Randall, only Chadwick was aware of the terms of the contract signed that day.

Vanessa loved her father more than anyone else.

When Caleb returned to the living room, he found Natalie zipping his bag. "What are you doing?". His voice startled her.

He'd often caught her snooping around his business. Such an odd little girl.

"The blood". She stammered pointing at the bag.

"Ahh.... Yes". He hurried over to pick it up remembering both rats were still inside. "I took your blood to the doctor to examine, as for these poor little things, I found them on my way".

She nodded as he dragged his feet back to his room. "Liar"