Chapter 226 - The Uproar In Moravia

[Altair, please keep my wife off the internet for the next few weeks. I don't want her to read any news that will stress her out during the healing process. Thanks.]

Ren grabbed his cell phone with difficulty from his pocket and texted Altair as soon as John called the police to come to the penthouse. He knew that in the not too distant future all the events taking place in Moravia would soon spread around the world and become hot news.

Everyone loved gossip and drama. He didn't want Vega to read the news that Amelia was about to shoot Ren and managed to injure him. Better if he told her himself when things calmed down.

[Of course.] A reply came from Altaïr not long after. [Are you okay?]

Ren smiled faintly reading Altaïr's reply. His condition was very bad, but he certainly couldn't trouble Vega's family for something like this. 

[I'm fine.]

Ren then turned off his cellphone. He sat down and closed his eyes while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. His right hand was pressed against his injured stomach to keep the blood from flowing profusely from the wound.

"Sir, have a drink," said John, handing Ren a cup of water. The man accepted the glass and downed the water in it in one gulp.

"Sir, may I check your wound?" asked John carefully.

"No," said Ren. "Just open the door for the police. They'll be here in a moment."

John looked like he wanted to say something but finally, he canceled it. He knew he couldn't argue. He dutifully walked into the living room and waited by the front door.

Ren stared at Amelia's body lying on the floor and let out a deep breath.

"I told you I'm a bad person, Amelia, but you would never listen," he muttered quietly. He then looked away.

One problem was resolved. Now all he needed to think about was Karl and Sophia.

***

At the Almstad International Hospital, Prince Renald Hanenberg was immediately admitted to the ICU and operated on to remove the bullet from his stomach. He was treated intensively for two days and no one was allowed to visit him, including the royal family.

Ren woke up from the influence of the anesthetics the next day and immediately asked for his cellphone to read the various news circulating about the shooting incident in the penthouse.

He suspected Altaïr fulfilled his promise to keep Vega off the internet for a few days as Ren requested, as he did not receive any SMS or calls from his worried wife.

Ren read various news about the shooting with no expression.

The wound on his stomach wasn't fatal but it was enough to clear all suspicion from him. All the police and journalists believed that Amelia attacked Ren out of jealousy. This was not entirely wrong, though. However, Amelia's target to kill was not actually Ren, but Vega.

This shooting incident at Ren's place was one hundred percent planned by Ren, to clear himself of any suspicions when he killed Amelia.

Ren didn't mind if Amelia died bearing a bad reputation as the girl who turned into a madwoman because of jealousy. In reality, that was what happened when Amelia attacked Vega.

Ren was still furious whenever he remembered the incident. Amelia came to the pavilion where Vega was treated, shot Vega, and killed their two children in cold blood. The punishment she received was not even enough to pay for her sins.

So ... according to Ren's logic, Amelia deserved to die by bearing the reputation now pinned on her.

"How is the situation outside?" Ren asked the nurse who came to bring him medicine to take.

The nurse looked tired but she replied with the usual respect.

"The lobby is still filled with journalists, Your Highness. They camped in our hospital ground and don't want to be kicked out."

"You haven't informed the palace that I have regained consciousness, have you?" asked Ren while narrowing his eyes.

"Of course not. We await your orders, Your Highness."

"Good. Tomorrow you should contact the court and tell them that I can receive visitors. I am ready to meet King Gustave and talk."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The doctor treating Ren didn't allow anyone to visit him, but news-thirsty journalists gathered in front of the hospital for days to get a statement. This news was shocking and they wanted to get direct information from Prince Renald.

The palace declined to comment, as did Ren's representative. Only the Genevieve family held press conferences over and over again to declare that their only daughter had no intention of killing Ren.

Ren watched the news of the press conference with a flat expression. Lady Genevieve cried non-stop while showing her various family photos taken with Amelia and Ren since they were little.

"My daughter really loves Renald. She could not possibly intend to kill him. They have been friends since childhood. Why don't you investigate Prince Renald? He is an ungrateful brat! He killed my daughter in cold blood. You should investigate him!!!"

[How are you?]

Ren glanced sideways and saw an incoming message on his cell phone. It was a message from Karl.

[Uncle, I need to rest. Can you meet me at the hospital tomorrow? King Gustave and Queen Elena will come here and I need you to take care of them.]

[I'm in the hospital now. Is there anything else you need?]

[Nothing. Leave me alone.]

Ren frowned and tried to think of various options to get rid of Karl. He couldn't use the same method as when he got rid of Amelia. Karl was not as emotional like her and he had no special feelings for him.

Maybe Ren could use Sophia to trap his uncle. He must think of the best way to get rid of the two of them together.

***

Meanwhile, Vega's extended family finally decided to end their vacation on F Island. They had spent quite a bit of time together and Lauriel stated that it was time to start treating Vega at their home in Targu Mures.

Terry and Jean and their families went home first. Terry still had a lot of work to do in New York. London, L, and Lily returned with Caspar, Finland, and Aldebar to Germany. Nicolae and his family followed Elios and his family to Targu Mures with Lauriel.

Nicolae wanted to help Vega's healing process as much as possible. Marie and Summer who really understood how important Vega was to Nicolae, of course, supported him and joined the man to Targu Mures.

"I have to take care of RMI in Almstad and will immediately visit you to Targu Mures once everything is settled," said Mischa giving an excuse when he stated that he would not go with Elios to Romania.

"What is it in Moravia that is so important that you have to intervene yourself?" asked Elios with furrowed brows. He knew Mischa very well and understood that his foster son was about to do something. "Do you want to find out for yourself who Vega's kidnapper is?"

Mischa nodded. "Yes, Sir. I really think the key is in Moravia ... Considering Vega was kept there for many years. I want to investigate something."

"Very well. Let me know when you find anything."

"Of course."