Chapter 266
Chapter 266
Alex was shocked at first, but worry consumed him the next second. His arms tightened instinctively around
her.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, still hugging her close to his chest.
Mia pulled her head up slowly to look at him, and Alex’s chest squeezed at the look in her eyes.
“Baby… what’s wrong?” Alex whispered, his lips brushing against her face, kissing her eyes, kissing away the tears that wouldn’t stop coming. His tone was desperate, almost pleading, like he needed her to tell him right now so he could fix it.
But then it hit him where he was, his executives….. They were staring at them. Everyone was just shamelessly watching…. shock painted so openly on their faces.
Some of the executives looked like they had just witnessed a scandal unfold in front of them.
Alex rolled his eyes in irritation. He didn’t care for their thoughts, but he did care about Mia and her comfort. He didn’t want her breaking down in front of strangers. He held Mia’s hand tight in his and guided her toward the elevator.
The moment the elevator doors closed behind them, Mia hugged him again, tighter this time, burying her face into his chest like she wanted to disappear inside him
“Is Aiden fine, baby?” Alex asked quickly, his mind running through the worst possibilities.
“Yeah, he’s fine,” Mia whispered, her voice small but shaky.
Alex let out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. He kissed her hair, holding her as tightly as she held him, pressing her against him like he could shield her from whatever got her in this state.
Mia pulled away a little, her red eyes searching his face. Alex stared right back at her, not blinking once, and then leaned in to kiss her eyes again
“What’s wrong? Talk to me”
“You can’t go,”
Alex frowned. “Can’t go where, baby?”
“The conference… you can’t go,” Mia said, her tone firm this time even though her body was still shaking.
Alex stared at her silently, trying to understand.
The elevator dinged, breaking the heavy silence. He didn’t press her further, not here. He just tightened his grip on her hand and led her straight to his office.
14:10 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 266
Meanwhile, outside the elevator, Jullian walked beside Esther, both still trying to process what had just happened.
“At some point, we have to face the truth,” Jullian said seriously.
Esther glanced at him. “What truth?”
“Someone is impersonating Alex,” Jullian muttered, half serious, half baffled.
Esther laughed softly. “Honestly, it wouldn’t even be a far–fetched theory. Alex is a completely different person with Mia. The switch–up sometimes stuns me too.”
She shook her head with a smile. The executives had been shocked into silence moments ago when they saw their usually cold, untouchable CEO drop everything to hold a crying woman in his arms. It wasn’t just shock -it was disbelief.
Some of these men and women had been working for Alex for years, and they could proudly say they had never seen him smile. Not once.
Esther herself, his own mother, had barely seen it. Most of the time, talking to Alex felt like talking to a machine—calm, sharp, efficient, and emotionless. No warmth, no laughter.
But just now… he hadn’t just smiled. He had looked worried, scared and so soft with her.
It was like watching someone else. And to Esther, it was the most beautiful sight.
She wasn’t worried about her son in this moment. No, she felt relieved. Relieved that Mia could bring this side of him out. Relieved that her prayers had been answered.
“I used to pray for days like this, Jullian,” Esther said, her smile soft, almost teary. “I’m going to buy Mia a car. Or even a house. She deserves it.”
Jullian rolled his eyes at her, but he didn’t argue.
“Do you think something happened though?” he asked, his tone more serious. “Mia looked… scared. Really scared.”
Esther paused. She had been too busy celebrating Alex’s reaction to think more on how Mia had looked…. Pale face and trembling hands.
“We’ll check up on them later,” Esther said finally, though she frowned now, worry sneaking into her chest.
“What about Charles?” Jullian asked, lowering his voice.
Esther’s smile vanished instantly. Yesterday they had received a message and pictures that Charles Blackwell was seriously ill…. the message said.
Esther scoffed, her lips tightening.
“That man is not sick. This is just another one of his games. Another way to try and trick us back to Willowcrest,” she said, her voice sharp with anger.
14:10 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 266
Her mind replayed his recent attempt to trap her through a business deal. If he could fake contracts and lies, he could fake sickness too.
“I have no idea why he won’t just let it go and be happy that his children are doing well in another country,” Esther continued. “But I suppose him not having control over us must be killing him every single day.”
Her jaw tightened.
“I hope he dies already,” she muttered, not regretting a single word.
Back in Alex’s office….Alex guided Mia to the couch and sat her down gently. He poured her water himself, pressed the glass into her shaking hands, and waited until she sipped it. She gave it back, and his eyes never left her face.
Her lips parted as if the words were hard to force out. “I had a dream. A nightmare,” Mia started.
Alex moved closer immediately, his hand reaching for hers, squeezing it, steadying her.
Her voice shook, her eyes glassy. “The conference room got bombed, Alex.”
Alex’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t interrupt. His hand simply tightened over her trembling fingers.
“A man wore a bomb there because of some grudge with some of the men that will be there. I didn’t see the full details…” she paused. “It was horrible. People died, Alex.”
Her voice cracked on the last word.
Alex pulled her into his lap without thinking twice. He positioned her carefully, both her legs draped over his, her body pressed against his chest. She clung to him instantly, her arms wrapping around his neck, holding on as if letting go would mean losing him.
Alex’s hands wrapped firmly around her waist and back. “Hey… it’s okay,” he whispered softly against her ear.
Mia shook her head hard, burying her face into his shoulder.
“You can’t go. Please, you can’t go. Please,” Mia whispered brokenly, her voice muffled against him.
Her entire body trembled in his arms, and Alex’s chest ached with the weight of her fear.
“I can’t lose you, I can’t ”
14:10 Thu, Oct 2
