Alexander turned to look at him sharply.
"I didn’t admit anything," Benjamin snapped but the damage was already done.
Investors exchanged loaded glances and soone whispered, "Cover-up."
Another muttered, "Internal conflict—unacceptable in leadership."
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
Alexander stepped forward. He then said with his voice steady and controlled, "The company is investigating every angle. Until then, let’s not jump to conclusions."
The board’s attention shifted to him. It was clear that they trusted him more than his father.
A woman from the finance board crossed her arms.
"Alexander, we expect daily updates. This project is costing us millions by the hour."
"We understand," he replied. "You will receive reports directly from ."
Benjamin’s jaw clenched at that. The subtle shifting of power was impossible to ignore but he kept quiet because today, the room was not on his side.
A senior investor then spoke up. "If the investigation confirms internal involvent, the consequences must be severe. We cannot function with traitors in the house."
Alexander nodded once but Benjamin remained silent and for the first ti, he looked cornered.
When the eting finally adjourned, everyone left in a rush of whispered suspicion. Only Benjamin and Alexander remained in the room.
Benjamin exhaled harshly. "That damn slip, they slled blood the second I said it."
Alexander folded his arms. "You are losing control of this."
Benjamin shot him a glare. "Then regain it for ."
Alexander didn’t react but sothing hardened in his chest because this wasn’t just business anymore.
Jack had started a war and the family was standing on a fault line that could explode any mont.
...
[Alexander’s Office]
Alexander spent the next hour in his office going over docunts, satellite photos, digital reports and Carl’s notes but nothing made sense.
Every file he opened raised the sa questions like how did the violations appear all of a sudden and who inford the regulatory board about it.
He pushed the files away sharply and muttered, "Enough—"
Carl was startled. "Sir?"
"I am going to Heinberg."
Carl blinked. "You an personally? Today?"
"Yes. Soone on-site knows sothing and they won’t talk through email or phone."
His voice hardened. "If soone staged violations, then soone saw it happen."
The office door flew open.
Lucas leaned against the fra with two coffees in hand. "Good evening, sunshine. Why do you look like you are about to burn down the company?"
Alexander didn’t bother explaining. "I am leaving for Heinberg imdiately."
Lucas raised his brows. "Why? Don’t tell you are running away again."
"No, it’s not that," Alexander sighed and explained the whole situation to Lucas.
"So you think Jack is involved?" When Alexander nodded, he clasped his hand together. "Oh, great. I will grab my bag."
"No," Alexander frowned, "I am not taking you.."
Lucas snorted. "Yes and I am the Queen of England." He stepped forward, placing the second coffee in Alexander’s hand. "You are not going alone. Not when Jack is acting like a Disney villain with a trust fund."
"Lucas—"
"Nope, save your breath. Your father is hiding sothing, Jack is hiding sothing and the whole company is practically vibrating with secrets. Soone needs to watch your back."
Alexander stared at him for a long mont then sighed.
"Fine."
Lucas smirked. "Thought so. I will drive us to the airport."
.....
[On the Way to the Airport]
Lucas was talking about strategy, risk assessnts and possible whistle blowers when Alexander’s phone vibrated.
When he saw who it was, he imdiately answered.
Her voice was soft, concerned. "You didn’t call. I was worried."
Alexander exhaled and so of the weight lifted. "I am sorry. Things got complicated."
"I figured. Carl told you weren’t in your office anymore. Where are you?"
"On the way to the airport."
"Why?" she asked. "Are you going sowhere?"
"Heinberg," he said quietly. "I need to look at the site myself, and talk to the teams because sothing doesn’t add up and I don’t want the board breathing down our necks before the wedding."
There was another pause but this one was heavy with unspoken worry.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked.
"Just a day or two."
Her voice softened. "Okay."
It was just an ’okay’ but he could hear the tremor she tried to hide.
He leaned his head back. "Evelyn."
"Hmm?"
"I will call you every night and morning," he added, a faint smile ghosting his lips.
That finally made her breathe out a tiny laugh. "You better."
Lucas made a gagging noise from the driver’s seat. "Stop before I puke in your expensive car."
Alexander glared at him and continued, "I don’t want you to worry. I am going there to check facts. The mont I know what is going on, I will tell you."
Evelyn took a slow breath. "Just be careful, Alexander. Whoever sses with the project, they will be extra careful and I am sure they are not harmless."
"I know."
"Is Lucas also there?" Evelyn asked.
"Yes, he insisted on following ," Alexander’s lips twitched.
Lucas on the other hand raised a hand proudly. "Hi, Evelyn."
"Hi Lucas," Evelyn chuckled.
Alexander quickly turned on the speaker.
"Don’t worry, I will keep your future husband safe and sound," Lucas added.
She laughed softly. "Good, now I feel a little better."
"Let’s hang out when we are back," Lucas said. "It’s been ages since I t you."
Alexander’s voice dropped into sothing tender, rare and reserved only for her. "I will co back soon."
"I will wait," she whispered.
For a mont neither of them spoke.
It was the kind of silence that wasn’t empty but full of trust and sothing deeper neither of them dared to na yet.
Finally, she said, "Call when you land?"
"I will."
They hung up but Alexander kept the phone in his hand for several seconds before lowering it.
Lucas glanced at him and chuckled. "You are in deep, man. You are completely ripped."
Alexander didn’t deny it because he was.
....
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