Whirling around, Kyla found herself facing Alex, who stood at the shadowy threshold of the corridor, his brow creased and his eyes reflecting a chilling frost.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Alex demanded sharply. His sudden presence seemed to snatch the smug grin right off Kyla’s face.
Kyla blinked, momentarily thrown off balance, but she swiftly masked her surprise, her eyes flickering with defiance before settling back into their usual haughty glare.
“Oh, Alex, what a coincidence,” she drawled, her voice dripping with feigned surprise. “Still playing the gallant knight for Sadie after all these years?”
Alex’s expression turned stormy, his voice cold and steely. “Kyla, what exactly are you up to?”
With a sneer curling her lips, Kyla’s eyes sparkled with scorn. “What am I up to?” she huffed, leaning in closer. “Just paying a visit to an old friend. But you, Alex-three years and still chasing after Sadie’s affection? How… romantic.”
She stretched the word, her voice thick with sarcasm, mocking Alex’s unrequited devotion.
Alex’s hands balled into fists at his sides, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his anger in check. “Kyla, whatever you think is going on with Sadie and me, you’re wrong.”
Kyla’s eyebrow arched maliciously, and her smirk widened. “Oh? It isn’t what I think? Then enlighten me, Alex-whose child is that?” Her gaze landed on the door to Laura’s apartment, her question hanging heavily in the air like a charged accusation.
Alex inhaled sharply, his chest heaving as he struggled to maintain control. He was keenly aware that he couldn’t let Kyla uncover the truth, nor could he risk her spilling everything to Noah.
With a tense voice, he shot back, “This is Sadie’s personal matter-it has nothing to do with you.”
“Personal matter? Sounds more like something scandalous,” Kyla retorted, her voice dripping with scorn. “Alex, you really should open your eyes. Don’t let that woman fool you!”
Alex felt a surge of frustration but restrained himself, fearful that Noah might appear out of nowhere, leaving him scrambling for an explanation.
Steadying his voice, he warned, “Kyla, enough! Stay out of this! She’s done with the chaos-let her have the peaceful life she deserves and don’t bother her again!”
Kyla laughed harshly, disbelief clear on her face. “A peaceful life? If peace is really what she’s after, why come back to Jazmah? Face it, Alex-you’re blind to how she’s manipulating you!”
Alex’s eyes narrowed, a cold fire burning behind them. “That’s none of your business! Get the hell out of here!”
Turning around, Kyla strode toward her car parked along the roadside. Pausing by the door, she threw Alex a loaded glance. “If you’re really in love with her, you’d better stake your claim fast. You’re not the only one interested.”
With those parting words, she slid into her car and sped off.
Alex stood there, watching the red taillights fade into the distance, his brow creased with worry and contemplation. He lingered for a brief moment, then turned and made his way to Laura’s apartment.
With a gentle rap on the door, he waited, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. When the door swung open, Sadie stood there, her smile tired but welcoming.
“Alex, what brings you here at this hour?” she inquired softly, her voice a gentle murmur.
“I needed to see how you and your grandmother were holding up,” Alex replied, stepping inside with concern evident in his voice. “How is she?”
“She’s resting, already turned in for the night,” Sadie whispered, her gaze dropping slightly. “Kyla stopped by earlier.”
Alex’s brow furrowed deeply. “What was she after this time?”
“Just her usual drama, trying to stir things up,” Sadie responded, her tone even, almost indifferent, yet a subtle strain hinted at the annoyance simmering beneath the surface. “Alex, do you think she’ll tell Noah about me?”
Alex gave her a reassuring look. “She probably won’t. She’s not that reckless. But I do think Kyla could be a real threat. I have a hunch she was involved in that car accident three years ago. Remember, aside from us, she was the only one who knew about your plan to slip away from the banquet.”
Sadie’s complexion drained, her eyes wide with a flicker of fear. “You mean…”
“I’ll look into it,” Alex declared, his voice resolute with determination. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you, your grandmother, and Averi safe.”
After bidding Sadie goodbye, Alex drove back to his place.
As he unlocked the door, a pungent odor of alcohol hit him. Stepping into the living room, he found Noah slumped on the sofa, clutching an empty bottle, his gaze unfocused and distant.
“You’re back,” Noah murmured, his voice rough and tinged with the bitterness of drink.
Alex felt a sudden tightness in his chest, a sense of foreboding washing over him. “Why are you here? And why have you drunk so much?”
Noah gave a self-deprecating laugh. “What, am I not welcome?”
“It’s not that,” Alex replied, sitting down across from him and picking up the bottle from the coffee table to pour himself a drink. “I’m just surprised you found time to visit today.”
“It’s been three years, Alex. You’ve been hard to see,” Noah said, his gaze piercing as he watched Alex. “What have you been so busy with abroad? So secretive.”
Alex took a sip of his drink, keeping his tone casual. “Just the usual business.”
“Business?” Noah scoffed. “What kind of business has you jetting off to different countries all the time?”
Alex’s eyes flickered momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure. “You know how it is-expanding globally is part of the process.”
After a pause, Noah’s gaze turned icy. “Alex, be straight with me. Is Sadie hidden abroad by you?”
Alex’s heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure. “What are you talking about? Sadie left long ago, and I have no idea where she is.”
Noah scrutinized his face, searching for any sign of deceit. “Really? Your recent travels seem highly suspicious.”
Alex shifted his gaze away and changed the subject. “When are you planning to marry Kyla?”
Noah’s expression darkened, and he fell silent, as if lost in thought. Seeing this, Alex fell silent as well. The two of them sat there, each holding their drink, enveloped in a heavy silence.
Suddenly, a phone rang, shattering the stillness. Noah glanced at it, noticing the caller ID read “S.” He moved to answer it.
But Alex was quicker. He snatched the phone and stepped outside. “I’ll take this call.”
Outside, Alex answered and said, “Hello, Sadie.”
“Alex, I… I want to start my own brand and was hoping you could introduce me to some professionals in this industry. Is that okay?” Sadie’s voice was tentative.
“Of course, no problem at all,” Alex responded promptly. “I’m free tomorrow. We can discuss it then.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
After ending the call, Alex walked back into the living room to find Noah staring at him with a cold expression.
“Who was that on the phone?” Noah asked, his voice icy.
“Just my secretary,” Alex replied.
“Secretary? A secretary calling at this hour? Alex, do you think I’m a fool?” Noah’s tone was sharp with sarcasm as he reached out, trying to grab Alex’s phone.
Alex sidestepped, holding the phone away from him. “You’re drunk. Stop making a scene.”
“I’m not drunk!” Noah insisted, grabbing Alex’s arm with surprising strength. “Give me the phone!”
“Let go!” Alex snapped, pulling his arm free. “Noah, enough! Stop this drunken spectacle!”
He turned to the butler and said, “Please take Mr. Wall home. He shouldn’t be causing a scene here.”
The butler hesitated, glancing between the two men, then stepped forward to assist Noah. “Mr. Wall, perhaps it’s best if you head home to rest.”
Noah resisted, his gaze locked on Alex’s phone, but the butler eventually led him out.
Watching them leave, Alex exhaled deeply, quickly opened his phone, and changed Sadie’s contact name to “Allen,” vowing to be more discreet in the future.
Noah woke the next day with a splitting headache, the previous night’s events vivid in his mind. He summoned his assistant, Samuel. “Investigate everything about Alex, especially his travels over the last three years. I want details. And keep an eye on him. Report back anything unusual immediately.”
Samuel nodded and left to execute the orders.
The same day, Alex met Sadie at her grandma’s apartment as promised.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply