The Last Sovereign

Chapter 5

Molly Anderson settled into the leather-lined booth in the private dining room, her manicured fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass.

The room exuded luxury, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over pristine white linens and dishes prepared with rare ingredients flown in from across the globe.

She’d spared no expense for tonight’s dinner, pouring close to a hundred thousand dollars into wine and cuisine that screamed exclusivity.

When Molly and Charlie stepped in, Governor Calvin Dark was already waiting, his face breaking into a smile as he saw Charlie.

"Charlie! Finally, the Anderson empire is in good hands," Calvin said, his excitement evident.

As they settled into their seats, the restaurant manager approached, welcoming both Molly and Calvin with a bright smile.

He greeted them with practiced politeness but gave barely a nod to Charlie. The slight stung, but Charlie brushed it off, focusing on the promising evening ahead.

The manager’s gaze lingered on Molly, his expression softening as he spoke. “Mrs. Anderson, it’s always a pleasure to see you. But may I ask, I noticed your husband wasn't with you today. Is Mr. Joshua quite occupied recently?”

The question hung awkwardly in the air.

Molly’s smile tightened, and she took a slow sip of wine before answering.

“Joshua and I are no longer together,” she replied, her tone devoid of warmth.

Calvin’s face remained impassive as he swirled his glass.

“Oh, my apologies,” the manager said, a bit flustered, sensing the chill.

But the manager’s thoughts were harder to mask—Joshua had been pivotal for Texpanse, a symbol of stability, especially near the troubled southern borders.

The idea of his absence felt somehow wrong, unsettling.

Molly noticed the manager’s hesitation and arched a brow, her tone cool. “Joshua has done his part, yes. But we’re moving forward.”

She shot a glance at Calvin, who nodded in agreement.

It was as if both shared an unspoken desire to sweep Joshua’s legacy under the rug, to let the man’s contributions slip quietly into obscurity.

The manager forced a polite smile, but he felt a wave of bitterness as he stepped back, reflecting on how much Joshua had sacrificed for Texpanse.

In his mind, Joshua was the backbone of the state’s safety, especially given the chaos that constantly threatened the southern regions.

But now, he could see Calvin and Molly’s plan as plain as day—to cast aside someone who’d done the heavy lifting, who’d faced dangers they’d never dared approach.

Watching Molly and Calvin coolly dismiss his absence struck him as, at best, shortsighted—and, at worst, treacherous.

Meanwhile, Governor Dark leaned toward Charlie, clapping him on the back.

“Charlie, we couldn’t be more thrilled to see you stepping up in the Anderson family business. Texpanse needs sharp, forward-thinking leaders like you.”

Charlie grinned, his chest swelling with pride. He’d long waited for his moment, and Calvin’s enthusiasm assured him he was on the right track.

“Thank you, Governor. I’ll do everything in my power to live up to the Anderson name.”

The manager noticed the exchange and felt a pang of bitterness on behalf of Joshua. In his view, no one could fill Joshua’s shoes.

The evening was winding down when the door opened, and Deputy Governor Robert Harrison walked in, his face set in a stony expression.

He looked first at Calvin, then at Molly. “Governor. Mrs. Anderson,” he greeted, his voice smooth but holding a hint of warning.

Robert’s eyes flicked toward Charlie with a brief look of disdain before landing back on Calvin.

“I received a call from the police chief earlier tonight. There seem to be…accusations against Joshua Anderson. Quite serious ones, if I understand correctly.”

Calvin leaned back, his face impassive, and took a sip of his wine. “That’s correct, Robert. But you know as well as I do that these things come to light eventually.”

He shrugged, his tone suggesting the matter was already settled.

Robert’s expression didn’t waver. “Then perhaps Mrs. Anderson could explain what evidence there is to support these accusations.”

His gaze turned to Molly, his voice calm, almost surgical in its precision.

Molly blinked, caught off guard.

“Evidence?” Her voice came out sharper than intended. She glanced at Calvin, but he simply nodded, prompting her to continue.

“Yes, evidence.” Robert’s eyes narrowed slightly. “It seems odd to discredit a man without concrete proof. Especially one who’s done as much for Texpanse as Joshua has.”

Molly’s silence was all the answer he needed. Robert allowed a pause, then sighed, his expression one of profound disappointment.

“Since there’s no evidence, then perhaps it’s time to be honest about what’s really going on here.”

He turned, his gaze cutting to Charlie. “What I see is an attempt to replace Joshua—a man who has risked everything for this state—with someone who’s barely proven himself.”

Charlie opened his mouth to protest, but Robert didn’t give him the chance.

“Joshua has spent his life ensuring the safety of this state, standing at the border when he didn't have to do this. He’s a hero to the people of Texpanse, and I can’t, in good conscience, allow this room to pretend otherwise.”

The silence grew thick as the weight of Robert’s words settled over them.

The restaurant manager watched from a distance, his respect for Robert deepening as he recalled Joshua’s deeds himself.

The idea of casting Joshua aside, now plainly exposed, felt absurd.

Calvin’s face tightened, his carefully controlled expression slipping. But he forced a smile, attempting to recover.

“Robert,” he said smoothly, “I was a friend of Molly’s father. It’s my duty to ensure the Anderson legacy continues smoothly. Young leaders like Charlie bring fresh energy and ideas. Surely you can understand.”

Robert’s eyes were steely, unmoved. “Energy is one thing. But tearing down a hero’s reputation to make space for someone else is another.”

Molly’s face reddened as she listened, her control fraying. “Joshua is just an orphan!”

She snapped, her voice laced with disdain. “He had no legacy to begin with! He owes everything he has to us, and it’s laughable to think he’s some kind of saint.”