[Reid Enterprise—Alexander’s Office]
Evelyn stepped out of the elevator with her heart pounding.
Alexander hadn’t called her back since he rushed out of the café. Hours had passed and all she got was a single ssage.
She tried calling him but his phone went straight to voicemail.
Even Carl wasn’t replying.
The feeling of sothing not being right kept clouding her mind. This is when she decided to find him.
She reached Alexander’s office and the mont Carl saw her, he straightened.
"Miss Carter," he said softly, "Boss is inside but he is not in a good mood."
Evelyn nodded once. "It’s okay. I need to see him."
She didn’t wait for permission, she pushed the door open gently.
Alexander stood with his back to her and hands braced on the glass wall.
Several files were scattered across his desk and the usually orderly office looked like a storm had ripped through it.
"Alexander?" Evelyn’s voice was soft but it still made him turn sharply.
For a mont, he just stared at her. His eyes were darker, his expression exhausted and he looked like he hadn’t taken a break in hours.
"Evelyn," he exhaled, straightening. "You didn’t have to co."
She stepped closer. "You didn’t call. You left without a word and—" Her voice cracked slightly. "I was worried."
He closed his eyes briefly, as if steadying himself.
"I didn’t want to drag you into this," he murmured.
"Into what?" When he did not say anything, she demanded gently. "Alexander, talk to ."
He hesitated but only for a second. He then walked to his desk, picked up a report and handed it to her.
"The Heinberg project has been paused."
Evelyn’s brows knitted. "Paused? Why?"
"Sabotage," Alexander bit out. "Soone tipped the regulatory board about supposed safety violations with tampered photos, fake docuntation and soone made sure the board would halt everything."
Her stomach dropped and without Alexander needing to say another word, she knew.
"Jack," she whispered.
He didn’t answer at first but the silence said everything.
"He pretended to be shocked," Alexander said quietly. "But he was too quick with his reactions and he looked too calm and too prepared."
He paused for a while and continued, "He wanted the project stopped so he wouldn’t be sent away."
Evelyn felt anger rise in her chest. It was hot, sharp and humiliating.
"So he is doing all this," she said, voice trembling, "because he doesn’t want to leave the city? Because he wants to stay close to and also sabotage our wedding."
Alexander looked up at her sharply. "Evelyn—"
"Why is he doing this?" she whispered. "Why won’t he stop?"
After everything Jack had done, everything she had been through because of him, she didn’t understand why he wouldn’t let her find peace.
Why was he still trying to ruin her life?
Alexander moved closer but didn’t touch her. He waited for her to et his eyes.
"Because Jack doesn’t care who gets hurt," Alexander said softly. "Not , not the company and not you."
Evelyn blinked hard as anger burned her eyes.
"I hate that he keeps creating problems for you," she said brokenly. "I hate that he keeps forcing you to deal with his ss again and again."
Alexander’s expression softened instantly.
"Hey," he murmured, tilting his head to catch her gaze. "Look at ."
And she did.
"This isn’t your burden," he said. "Jack isn’t your responsibility and whatever he is planning, it won’t touch you." His voice lowered, steady and absolute. "I won’t let it."
She inhaled, deeply and shakily.
"I know," she whispered. "But I also don’t want him ruining your peace or ours."
That one line hit Alexander straight in the chest.
His features softened completely and a hint of warmth replaced the storm.
"Ours?" he repeated quietly.
Evelyn realized what she said but she didn’t look away.
"Yes." She nodded. "Ours."
For the first ti that day, Alexander breathed a sigh of relief. It was a slow, deep breath that seed to unclench sothing inside him.
He stepped closer, just enough that she felt his presence like heat.
"I warned him," Alexander admitted. "I told Jack to stay away from you and from us. That the past will always belong to him but the future won’t."
Evelyn’s eyes widened slightly at the honesty in his voice. "And what did he say?" she asked.
Alexander’s jaw tightened. "He denied everything and pretended I was imagining things. But Evelyn—" His voice dropped. "He won’t stop unless we stop him."
Evelyn nodded slowly.
"We will," she said. "Together."
For a mont, neither spoke. They just stood close, sharing the sa heavy breath of worry and determination.
Alexander finally brushed his fingers against hers.
"You coming here—" he said quietly, "it made my day easier."
Evelyn felt her heart flutter.
"And you telling the truth," she replied, "made mine easier."
A small smile tugged at Alexander’s lips, exhausted but real.
Outside, Carl pretended not to listen and down the hall, Benjamin was preparing for a new fight.
But inside the room, for a brief mont, the world felt like it had slowed just enough for Alexander and Evelyn to breathe together.
....
The corridor outside Alexander’s office had barely gone quiet after Evelyn left when Carl rushed back in, breathless.
"Sir—your father needs you in the boardroom imdiately. It’s urgent."
Alexander’s brows tightened. Urgent ant disaster-level in Benjamin’s language.
He grabbed his coat and walked fast with Carl keeping pace behind him.
When they reached the boardroom, the atmosphere hit him first. It was a suffocating mix of anger, panic and accusation.
The mont Alexander stepped inside, every head turned.
Benjamin stood at the end of the long table with his jaw tight and fists clenched, surrounded by the senior board mbers and major investors.
One of the investors slamd a file onto the table.
"Benjamin, your silence isn’t helping! Do you understand the kind of losses a frozen project of this size creates?"
Another one leaned forward sharply. "We need answers. Now. Who is responsible?"
Benjamin’s eye twitched but before he could respond, soone else snapped:
"This looks internal. The regulatory board received detailed information and these are way too detailed for an outsider."
A murmur rippled around the room.
Benjamin inhaled sharply. "I am aware of that." His tone was clipped and cold. "We are investigating internally."
Alexander stepped forward, taking his place beside his father.
"Let’s keep this professional," he said calmly, even though tension coiled under his skin.
One of the board mbers pointed a finger toward Benjamin. "Your son, Jack Reid was assigned to this project team recently, correct?"
Benjamin stiffened.
Alexander’s expression didn’t change but sothing cold flickered in his eyes.
"That is irrelevant," Benjamin said quickly.
Another board mber who was older, respected and known for hating chaos—leaned back in his chair and said slowly:
"Benjamin, you just admitted it might be internal sabotage."
The room froze and Benjamin blinked, realizing too late what he had let slip.
....
Reviews
All reviews (0)