Drake was concerned with the sadness that overtook Riley's face. He decided then that he'd help the two out. Drake asked, "Could I hold onto the ring for you Brooks?" "Sure Drake," she replied. He took the ring box and moved to his seat shooting a text to Liam. [Drake] Liam you need to come up with a proposal for Riley. [Liam] Does this have anything to do with the document I just had Madeleine sign. I don't think she even read it.
[Drake][ In a way it does have you talked to Leo? [Liam] Only to be sure he had received the signed copy for safe keeping. He was too distressed to talk and I didn't have time to wait.
[Drake] I will drop a ring in your pocket. [Liam] Drake I can't do that I'm already engaged!
[Drake] The King is engaged but in America, there are no kings. For once in your life bend the rules, Liam. This will protect her. [Liam] Alright Drake if you really think this will protect her somehow I will do this. I've gotta go, Drake, we'll talk when you are back in New York.
The flight seemed to take forever but, soon they were landing in New York. Thankfully Liam was there at the gate when the jet landed. He rushed the group to a limo once everyone was inside Liam said, "I have obtained office space in the hotel. Bastien will open the envelope with gloves on and we will see what Tariq has to say. Depending on what is contained inside we will have to decide on our course of action." He turned to Riley asking, "Love were you behind that document Leo sent for Madeleine to sign?"
Riley looked at him sheepishly saying, "Yeah, I thought it couldn't hurt. I don't know what Tariq left for us. I also am not planning on giving up on finding him but, I'm not sure how long that will take so I thought it was better to be safe than sorry." Liam wrapped an arm around her pulling her body close to his murmuring, "I'm so lucky to have you. I hope it won't be needed but, I'm glad it's safe with Leo should we ever need it. Did you think of it all on your own?" Riley shook her head no before adding, "It was Leo's idea. I just told him what I wanted and asked him to add anything else he thought was needed." Liam nodded his brother had added quite a lot he only had to add one thing before having Madeliene sign the digital copy. He had added a clause that said she would step down if she was asked.
Soon they were at the hotel and Liam lead them to the office space. Bastien had been with them when they entered. Everyone was seated and the door was closed Bastien said, "Where's the envelope?" Maxwell handed him his jacket saying, "It's in the pocket only my prints are on the outside. I tried to minimize contact with it so you could hopefully get prints." Bastien nodded he was sure Maxwell had some help with minimizing the number of hands that touched the envelope. Bastien put on gloves before reaching into the pocket and pulling the envelope out. He carefully opened the envelope removing the contents then putting the envelope inside a clear plastic bag. He took the documents and read the first page. "I Tariq do hereby give up my Dutchy and title in Cordonia. I have no plans on ever returning to the country I also, give up my Cordonian citizenship. I will be spending the rest of my days with a long lost relative. I ask at this time to be left alone. I'm sorry if my actions are hurting anyone but, I feel this is the best course of action for myself."
The remaining documents were all that were needed to relinquish citizenship, title, and dutchy. Bastien handed all the paperwork to Liam. He stated, "I will freeze all his accounts associated with the Dutchy so he can't steal Cordonia's money. I am sorry there is nothing more here sir." Liam nodded before saying, "I would appreciate that Bastien. Please make sure to add him to the wanted list in Cordonia to be detained should he ever step foot in the country again." Bastien nodded leaving to get to work. Liam sighed in frustration before grounding out, "I know of no family he has outside of Cordonia someone knew you were coming and helped him. These documents can only be obtained by one of four people. Myself, my father, Regina, and Madeleine."
Drake looked thoughtfully before saying, "I know you wouldn't have sent him the forms without talking him into clearing the scandal first. Your father promised to help you find Tariq. So I doubt he'd risk angering you further by sending those to Tariq without getting a statement out of him. That leaves Regina and Madeleine. We both know Madeleine will do anything to be queen and Regina may have given him the forms not thinking anything of it." Liam slammed his hand on the table shouting, "Damn it!" Riley looked to Bastien saying, "Check into all his accounts while you're at it see if he bought any tickets. You should also check the airlines in case he used cash or someone else purchased tickets."
Bastien nodded saying, "I will leave to get started on all this. I'll let you know if I make any progress. You should call your father sir. He may know if Tariq does have any relatives outside of Cordonia." Liam watched Bastien leave and close the door Hana looked confused before asking, "Isn't there anything you can do?" Liam shook his head before finally saying, "Tariq has already done everything I could have done. There is nothing more I can do other than what I have already requested from Bastien." Liam turned to Drake asking, "Would you marry Riley? I think this is the safest choice for all involved." Drake dropped the ring box in Liam's coat before placing a hand on his shoulder saying, "Riley has requested I decline. She cares for me like a brother and she can't bear for me to be married to a woman who doesn't love me. While she knows I would she doesn't think I should put my life on hold indefinitely. I have thought about it and have to agree with her. I'm not the type to cheat and I can't imagine having to take care of my own sexual needs for as long as this will take."
