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Message: <blockquote data-quote="80&#039;s Cha Cha Cha" data-source="post: 428650" data-attributes="member: 6964">Chapter 3DENVER COUNTRY CLUB-Kirby, Krystle and Amanda’s lunch, turned out to be more interesting than any of the three of them could have ever imagined.Steven was there with none other than Elena, Duchess of Branagh!  Amanda’s eyes were on them while Krystle stared at Daniel Reece and Claudia, whom were being seated. Steven did not appear to notice his wife and Daniel. And from what Krystle could see, Claudia did not seem to be aware of her husband’s royal companion.Amanda slowly stood up.“I plan to find out just what that woman is up to.” she said and approached Steven’s table.  Elena looked up and gave her a look that Amanda could not quite read.  It wasn’t the usual mocking smile, as if Elena somehow knew she could take Prince Michael from her.  No.  This was something else.Steven stood up to greet his sister and noticed Kirby and Krystle at their table. He clenched his jaw slightly, something Amanda noticed.“Steven? What in the world are you doing here with this woman?” Amanda asked coolly.Elena rose and did not bow.“Amanda.  Say hello to Prince Michael for me.”  Elena said before walking away and towards Krystle and Kirby’s table.  But Krystle, who found the sight of Daniel and Claudia at their table, disturbing, rose and walked over to them.  That left Kirby to face Elena for the second time this day.  And Elena made it a point of bowing to her, yet again, before asking if she could join her.  Kirby nodded and Elena sat in the chair Amanda had been seated in.“It is Amanda you should bowing to, not me,” Kirby sighed, “and I am not interested in being pulled into the middle of whatever is going on here.  You want Prince Michael back and are using whatever Caress Morrell is up to, to achieve that.”“Your Highness,” Elena said, as if she had not heard a word Kirby had said, “I did not bow to Amanda because she is no longer a princess.  Prince Michael is no longer a prince.  Everyone knows that Alexis Dexter has the morals of an alley cat.  It is very possible that your husband is the true Prince of Moldavia.  The terrorist regime of ’New Moldavia’ is keeping King Galen prisoner…or has killed him.  No one knows for sure.  And there are people that want Adam on that throne.”“Adam does not want to be King.  Or a Prince.  He is still struggling to be acknowledged by Blake…his real father.  Now I am going to ask you to leave this table.” Kirby said firmly.  Elena stood up and bowed again.“As you wish, Your Highness.  But just know that that you cannot run from your destiny.  And neither can Adam.”  she said solemnly before walking away.  Meanwhile, Steven and Amanda watched Elena leave the restaurant, before continuing their rather appalling conversation.“My God, Steven! You have to know that she is lying, do you not?” Amanda asked, unable to believe what her brother had just told her.“Krystle saw Galen alive but unwell.  And yet most people seem to believe he is dead. It is entirely possible that Luke survived as well.  Elena swears he is being kept prisoner along with Galen.” Steven said in a low tone.Amanda pursed her lips before responding.“Steven, you watched Luke die.  Claudia and you have been able to repair your marriage and make a life with Danny.  Elena is lying and can’t be trusted.  Has she offered some proof?”Steven nodded and Amanda looked at him with surprise.  He reached into his jacket pocket and produced an envelope.  He handed it to Amanda and she reluctantly opened it.  Inside, was a picture of Luke Fuller, looking like hell, sitting in a chair.  The next picture was of King Galen, lying on a bed with his eyes closed.  Amanda could not tell if he was alive or just asleep.There was another picture.  One of a young, blonde woman.  She looked like she was about twenty.“Who is this?” Amanda asked Steven.Steven cleared his throat before answering.“That is Lindsey Blaisdel. She is the daughter of a man named Matthew Blaisdel.  Claudia was once married to him and we all thought Matthew and Lindsey had been killed.”“Claudia was married to him when everyone thought he died?” Amanda asked uneasily.Steven nodded.“Amanda, Elena is offering to negotiate the return of either Luke or Lindsey, if I convince Adam to take some kind of blood test.”“Luke or Lindsey.  But not both?” Amanda asked quietly.  The picture of Luke could have been faked and who knew if this woman really was Claudia’s daughter?  Amanda stopped looking at the picture and turned to stare over at Daniel Reece’s table briefly, before looking at Steven again.  She handed him back the photograph.“Claudia knows about Lindsey?” she asked.“Yes, no thanks to Elena.  And Claudia wants to ask Daniel Reece and Dex to go and get Lindsey…and Lindsey only.”  Steven replied.***Krystle felt like the proverbial third wheel as she stood over Daniel and Claudia’s table.  Neither of them invited her to join them.“Krissy,” Daniel said, “it’s good to see you again.”There was an awkward pause.  And that was because Daniel could not think of an excuse or lie to explain why he was with Claudia.  He looked to her and Claudia stared up at Krystle.“Krystle, I want to get Danny a horse.  Since Daniel is his grandfather, I thought he might have some good ideas.”  Claudia lied.Krystle decided to just let that bald lie go.  She had already spoken to Sammy Jo about the matter last month.  Her niece had told her that she was going to speak to her newly discovered father about it.  Though it was possible that Sammy Jo had not said anything to Daniel at all on the subject.  She was currently chasing after some mysterious man that lived in Europe and was here visiting.“Oh well.  I’ll leave you to it.” Krystle said and walked back to the table.  She noticed Elena getting up from a chair and Kirby looking quite irritated.Daniel and Claudia waited until Krystle was out of earshot before speaking again.“Do you think you can get Lindsey out of Moldavia?” Claudia asked quietly.“I think that we need to ascertain whether what you were told by the Duchess of Branagh is true or not.” Daniel told her.“And if it is?” Claudia pressed.“Then yes, I can put a team together to return your daughter to you.  But Claudia…something about this whole thing just seems off.  You were shown proof that your husband and daughter were killed in a jeep crash in South America.  You said that the Duchess is claiming that Matthew is part of the terrorist regime that almost killed you all in Moldavia.  He’s now offering your daughter with him up as a hostage? Would he really do that?” Daniel asked, thinking of Sammy Jo.  There is no way in the hell he would ever think of doing something like that to her! And Krissy had actually loved this…this… Matthew Blaidsel?  How?!“The Matthew I knew would have never taken our daughter from me. He changed.  Something changed him when he heard me confess my affair with Steven in open court that day.  I don’t care about him, Daniel.  I just want Lindsey back.”  Claudia said unflinchingly.Daniel glanced over at the table Steven and Amanda were at.  He then looked at Claudia.“I’m sorry you’re in this situation, Claudia.  I truly am.”  Daniel said, thinking about the other ‘deal’ the Duchess had offered this fragile, lovely woman and her husband.  That they could ‘pick’ between a supposedly dead daughter  or…Or Steven’s supposedly dead lover.  Daniel decided he was going to find out if BOTH of them were still alive.  And if they were not, then the Duchess of Branagh would have a lot to answer for.Meanwhile, Kirby stood up just as Krystle, Amanda and Steven gathered at the table.  Steven asked the maitre d’ for a phone.“I’m calling Dad.  We need to have a family meeting.” Steven said, as his eyes fell upon his wife across the room.  There had to be a way to save Lindsey, Luke and put an end to this rumor about Adam, once and for all.***DENVER CARRINGTONCaress sat in Blake’s office and endured a tongue lashing from him!  Adam was present as well.  He stood in front of Blake’s desk with his arms crossed…“Blake,” Caress began in calm, soothing tone, “I do not write about ‘rumors’.  I am telling you that Alexis was always going on about being lonely when the two of you were married!  King Galen’s marriage to Prince Michael’s mother was arranged.  They resumed their affair and Alexis became pregnant with Adam.”“And my mother told you that she thought I was Galen’s son?” Adam asked skeptically.Caress looked away.“Cassie,” Blake said, “I remember that time as well.  I know Alexis didn’t like the fact that my work in building Denver Carrington  kept me away from her and the children.  But I also remember that the two of you were on the outs as well. You were angry that Alexis didn’t help break up Jason and Sable so that you could get him for yourself. So I find it hard to believe that Alexis would have ‘confided’ in you about an affair, or the paternity of my son.”Caress stood up.“What would you have me do, Blake? That part of the book will sell books.” she said quietly.  Adam rolled his eyes and looked at Blake, who was now staring at his former sister-in-law…hard!“I am going to call a press conference.  It will be held here at Denver Carrington.  You will confess that you made up the part about my son being King Galen’s true born son.   There is enough dirt on Alexis to…”Caress shook her head!“I am sorry, Blake, Adam, but the dirt that is circulating is not going to be enough! And do not tell me that the rumors of Alexis causing Cecil Colby’s death will suffice ! They will not! So unless you have new dirt on my sister that will replace what I am supposed to claim is a lie, then I will not go along with it!” Caress announced.But Blake did not back down.“I have arranged a press conference to take place here in one hour.  You will admit that that what you are alleging is a lie and tell the world that you won’t be writing that book.  So name your price, Cassie! Tell me what it would take to make all of this go away?” Blake asked.Adam eyed his aunt.  He could see that there was something she wanted.  Something that was beyond money and fame and he didn’t like it.  Caress tore her eyes off of Blake and looked at Adam.“Adam, I need to see your father alone.” Caress said.  Adam looked from Caress to Blake, who nodded in agreement.  Adam wordlessly left the office and closed the door behind him.  It was at that moment that the doors to the elevator opened and Steven, Amanda and Krystle stepped off.“Krystle?” Adam asked, walking towards them. He looked from Krystle to Amanda. He had expected Kirby to be with them. “Wasn’t Kirby with you?” Adam asked.But it was Steven that answered.“Kirby went home. I called her a cab. The three of us are here because we need to talk about something important.” Steven said.“And you didn’t think that my wife needed to be here?” Adam asked in a hostile tone.Steven refrained from sighing! Adam was…the kindest word he could think of was ‘persnickety’ when it came to Kirby.  Krystle answered Adam.“Adam, no one is trying to exclude Kirby.  She was upset about something that happened at lunch.  I think she felt the need to go home to Audrina.  I know the feeling.” Krystle said softly, thinking of Krystina.“Adam,” Amanda began, “Elena was at the country club.  She has been causing trouble again.  This time for Steven and Claudia.  Caress’s book is not helping things either.”“Caress is in with Father.  They wanted some time alone.” Adam revealed.“Why?” Krystle asked.  She actually didn’t mind Alexis’s sister, save for this book she was writing.  But in an odd way, she understood where Caress was coming from.  Anyone that had been victimized by Alexis, could understand someone wanting revenge on that God awful woman.The door to Blake’s office opened and Caress stepped out.  “I am going to freshen up for the press conference.” was all she said and walked past the four of them towards the women’s rest rooms.  Krystle hurried into Blake’s office, Adam walked off towards his own, leaving Steven and Amanda to wonder what needed tackling first: the press conference or Elena’s accusations?***Kirby paid the cabbie and walked towards the mansion door.  Before she could reach it, Gerard opened it for her.“Mrs. Carrington, I was unable to stop her.” he began.  But he didn’t have to explain any further.  Kirby could smell Alexis’s perfume.“It’s alright, Gerard.  Is she with Audrina?” Kirby asked in a tight voice.  Gerard nodded regretfully and Kirby walked away from him and towards the staircase.  It was as she was about to go up, that a voice called out to her.“You must be Kirby.”Kirby halted her trek up the stairs to confront Alexis, as a large man came out of the drawing room.  He was dressed in a dark suit and smiled at her in a rather wolfish way.  Like how Adam always looked at her, only this man’s stare was almost unrestrained.“And you are?” Kirby asked.  For a moment, Alexis and Audrina were forgotten.“Creighton Boyd.  Everyone calls me Creigh. I came here with Mrs. Dexter.  I’m an old friend of Adam’s.” Creighton said, his eyes roaming over her.Kirby forced herself to stop staring back at him and looked towards the staircase again at the mention of ‘Mrs. Dexter’.  She then looked back at Creighton.“Well Mr. Boyd, it was nice meeting you.  Now if you will excuse me, I must go upstairs and see to my daughter.”Creighton slowly reached for her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it.  He then slowly let it go.“It was nice meeting Adam’s wife.  We’ll all have to get together soon.” he suggested.Kirby said nothing to that.  She turned away and headed towards the stairs.  Who was this guy, really? And why had he come here with Alexis?  He was cute. He looked as if he might have been a football player or something…she had always liked football players…Kirby shook off her wicked thoughts and hurried to the nursery, where she found Audrina in Alexis’s arms! The raven haired grandmother was sitting in a rocking chair, staring down at Audrina.  Audrina was reaching for a necklace that was around Alexis’s neck.“Hello, Alexis.” Kirby said coolly.  She set her purse down on a nearby table.Alexis sighed loudly! She considered Kirby to be whey faced and poor! What did Adam see in her?  The only good thing this servant girl had ever done was produce Audrina.  And Audrina was definitely HER granddaughter! She had shaken off the Anders poor genes and become a full Carrington!  Alexis could see it everytime she saw her beautiful granddaughter…not that she got to very often, thanks to Kirby!Alexis stood up with Audrina and carefully placed her back in her crib, before turning to face Kirby.“So you were actually at lunch with Krystle? Where is she?  I thought I heard Krystina crying for her.” Alexis said in a voice that sounded like she could care less.“I didn’t hear Krystina.” Kirby said casually.  “I did meet your newest boyfriend downstairs.  He claims he knows Adam.  Does Dex know him as well?”Alexis folded her arms.“Mr. Boyd is going to get King Galen out of Moldavia.  He will help clear up Caress’s lies about who Adam’s real father is.”  Alexis said, as she ran her eyes over Kirby’s ‘lunch outfit’.  Needless to say, it wasn’t anything she would be caught dead wearing!  Even during a plague!Gerard entered the nursery before Kirby could think to respond.“Mrs. Carrington, your husband is on the phone for you.” he told her.“Thank you Gerard, I will take it in my bedroom.” Kirby replied.  She waited until Gerard nodded and left the room, before facing Alexis again.“Does Prince Michael know about this rescue?”  Kirby asked.“No.”  Alexis said.  “In case the mission fails, I don’t want him getting his hopes up.  And I am going along to make sure that it does NOT fail.”Kirby lifted a brow in response and Alexis turned away from her to stare down at Audrina.“You don’t want to leave my son waiting on the phone, do you?” Alexis said, as she reached down to touch one of Audrina’s little hands.  Kirby turned and walked out of the room.  Had Adam known about what his mother, Dex and his friend, Creighton, were up to?Kirby planned to find out.</blockquote>

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