Chapter 17
Alexander
“Looking a bit tense there, Alex.” Leo dropped into the chair across from me, a knowing smirk on his lips.
I shot him a warning glare. “The security footage?”
“Right here.” He pulled out a Hard disk, mercifully switching to business mode. “But seriously, you might want to fix your tie.
It’s crooked.”
I snatched the hard drive from Leo’s hand, shooting him another warning look while adjusting my tie. “Your timing is impeccable, as always.”
“Hey, that’s why you keep me around.” Leo sprawled in the chair, kicking his feet up on my desk. “To interrupt at the worst possible moments.”
I shoved his feet off. “You’re paying for any scuff marks on this desk.”
“Please, that desk has seen worse.” He
gaggled his eyebrows.
“Shut up.” I plugged the hard drive into my laptop, grateful for the distraction. The security footage loaded instantly- multiple camera angles split my screen into a grid of black–and–white scenes from that night.
I scanned each frame, watching the crowd mill about with their drinks. Nothing seemed out of place, and even with the enhanced footage Leo had processed, I couldn’t spot anything suspicious.
“Fucking waste of time.” I rubbed my temples, the familiar tension headache creeping in. “Three hours of footage and not a single lead.”
“Maybe we’re looking at this wrong.” Leo stretched in his chair. “You sure you didn’t leave with anyone that night? Some hot blonde catch your eye?”
I shot him an irritated look. “What are you implying?”
*Come on, man. You’re not exactly known for your… restraint.” He grinned. “Could’ve been a hotel hookup gone wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to get their claws into the mighty Alexander Knight.”
“For fuck’s sake, Leo.” I slammed the laptop shut. “I didn’t leave with anyone. Someone slipped something in my drink at the
event.”
“Just checking all angles.” He raised his palms in feigned defense. “Remember that redhead in Vegas?”
“That was different, and you know it.” I loosened my tie, and memories of that disaster made me cringe. “She tried to steal my Rolex, not drug me.”
“After you fucked her senseless.”
“You’re not helping.”
Leo chuckled. “At least she had good taste. That was a nice watch.”
“I will throw this laptop at your head.”
“Fine, fine.” He leaned forward, suddenly serious. “But someone got close enough to spike your drink. That’s what worries me. They knew exactly what they were doing.”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. The footage showed nothing useful – just the usual crowd of socialites and business associates mingling around the bar. Whoever did this knew how to stay invisible.
“Look, maybe we should get that drink tested,” Leo suggested. “It could tell us what kind of shit we’re dealing with here”
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“Biblatte for that don’t you think?” I stretched my neck, feeling the tension. “That was days ago.”
“Yeahhbuat you kept the glass, right? Like I told you to?”
I stared at him. WWho the fuck keeps a used glass for days?”
“Jesus: ObhisttAlex Leo threw his hands up. “You’re supposed to be the smart one here: Basic evidence preservation, man.”
“Next time soomeoneldrugs me, I’ll be sure to bag and tag everything.” I rolled my eyes. “My badhä”
“There better mobbeanext time. “Leo’s face turned serious.
“I’ve got enenmessbuuthhis feels different Most people who want to fuck with me go for the business angiel wiwhere it hurts
– stocksscontraatssaaqquisitions: Not this personal shit.”
“We need to figure out how deep this rabbit hole goes. Could be some idiot’s idea of a prank, or.” He leaned forward doce droppings “Someoneditying to set you up. For all we know, that shit in your drink could’ve been more than justsaman aphrodisiac Could vedbenmething way nastier.”
“Fuck” I hadn’t considehatiangle. You think someone’s trying to kill me?“?”
“Nahhif they wanted you ddaddyyauld be dead. “Leo shrugged. “But incapacitated? Compromised? That’s a different story:Getet
as a kite
you stupid, boom – blackmail material.”
“Blackmail? That’s samateau huur Ayane wanting to take me down would aim bigger.”
“Hey, sometimes the simple plays swokkobest. LLeo sprawled back in his chair. “Speaking of which, wasn’t this at Thompson’s’s gathering?“”
“Marcus Thompson?” I snortedd“PleasseThamarroambarely coordinate his tie with his shoes, let alone orchestratete
something like thiss Besides sheaeeddamyysappport for that merger next quarter.”
“True. Would be pretty stupiddo ddugghhaggywww.hoses signature he needs.” Leo scratched his chin. “But what about his circle???
That snake Samuel was hovering aroundcallhnight.”
“Samuel’s all talk He wouldn’t risk his reputationoorsoomething this messy. I pulled up the footage again, scanning the e faces. “No, whoever did this knew exactly whhathhyywereldoing. They avoided every camera angle, timed it perfectly!”
“Almost like they had inside help Leodeaneddóowanddhismusual playful demeanor gone.
“My thoughts exactly I rewound the footage focusing port bhes staff movements. “Look at the bartender here notice how here
keeps checking his phone?”
“Could be nothing.”
“Could be coordination.” I paused the frames” And thentheevanishesight after No notice, no forwarding address.”
Leo whistled low. “Damn, you’re right. That’s not suspicious sat all.”
“The question is who was he working with?” I rubbed my jawydd aoning though possibilities. “Someone had to bankroll this. Bartenders don’t just decide to drug CEOs for fun!”
“Want me to track him down?”
l’emirked at Leo’s question. “No, let’s completely forget about the guyyhhought/valdmagged me and focus on more pressing matters Like what tie I should wear tomorrow
“What?” Leo’s brow furrowed.
“For fuck’s sake, Leo “I leaned forward, fixing him with an exasperated stare “Whhheld you think you’re here for? Track him down. Find everything where he came from and who he’s working with I wanttoowwhhota palling his strings”
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Leo raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Don’t get your designer panties in a twist. I’ve got some contacts who might help – there’s this private investigator who’s pretty good at-”
“No.” I cut him off. “We handle this ourselves first. The moment we bring in outside help, we risk this getting out. You know how PI’s work – they’ll dig up everything, including shit we don’t want them to find.”
“Fair point. The last thing we need is shareholders panicking because someone tried to drug their golden boy CEO ”
I rolled my eyes. “The board would have a field day with this. Stock prices would plummet faster than your dating life.”
“Hey! I had a very successful date last week.”
“Ordering takeout and watching N**** alone isn’t a date.”
Leo flipped me off. “At least I don’t have a stick up my ass 24/7. But you’re right about keeping this quiet. If word gets out that someone managed to slip something in your drink at a high–profile event…”
“Exactly.” I pulled up the footage again. “Look at his movements. The way he handles the bar–it’s clear he’s trained and professional. Th wasn’t some amateur job.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. You want me to be your personal bloodhound.” Leo stood up, straightening his jacket. “I’ll start with his employment records and work backward from there. But if we hit a dead end…”
“Then we’ll consider r your PI friend.” I conceded. “But only as a last resort. And they’ll need to sign an NDA that would make God himself think twice about breaking it.”
“Got it.” Leo headed for the door, then paused. “Whoever did this really picked the wrong guy to mess with.”
I smirked. “They certainly did. Keep me updated.”
Leo paused at the door, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious. “Alex, we need to proceed carefully with this.
Whoever spiked your drink might be watching our every move. The last thing we want is to tip them off that we’re onto them.
23
“Agreed.” I nodded, appreciating his caution.
“And one more thing,” he continued, leaning against the doorframe. “Maybe lay off the hookups and dating women at parties for now. At least until we figure out who’s behind this.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re telling me to take a break from casual relationships? What am I supposed to do with all
my free time?”
“Read a book, take up knitting, I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Just avoid giving anyone another chance to drug you. It’s not
worth the risk.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve already stopped casual sex after that incident,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “The idea of
waking up in another compromising situation isn’t exactly appealing.”
Leo grinned. “Well, there’s a first time for everything. Never thought I’d see the day Alexander Knight went celibate.”
“Don’t get used to it,” I shot back. “Once we figure out who did this, I’ll be back in action.”
“Yeah, yeah ” Leo waved a hand dismissively. “Just remember stay vigilant and don’t let your guard down.”
“You sound like my mother,” I teased.
“Someone’s gotta look out for you,” he said with a wink before disappearing through the door.
Alone again in my office, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling. This whole situation was a mess – someone had targeted me specifically, and it was more than just a random attack. There had to be a motive, something bigger than just wanting to embarrass me.
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I stared at the screen again, replaying the footage for what felt like the hundredth time. My mind kept cycling through possibilities–who could have slipped something into my drink and why? None of it made sense.
I massaged my temples, squinting at the grainy footage. The same faces blurred past–champagne–tipsy executives, networking socialites, and wait staff weaving through the crowd with practiced grace. Nothing stood out except my growing
headache.
My phone’s shrill ring cut through the quiet office. Anthony’s name flashed across the screen, and I answered with more
enthusiasm than the security footage deserved.
“Save me from this mind–numbing footage review,” I groaned into the phone.
Anthony’s deep laugh rumbled through the speaker. “That bad, huh? Should I call back when you’re done torturing yourself?”
“God, no. I need the distraction.” I leaned back in my chair, grateful for the break. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to let you know I took care of that transfer you asked about. Madison’s mother? All set for tomorrow morning. Prime suite, top floor, best view of the city. Though I have to say, you’re getting soft in your old age, Alex.”
I snorted.
- d. “I’m thirty–two, you ass.
“Ancient by bachelor standards. But seriously, since when do you arrange hospital transfers for your employees‘ families?”
I shifted in my chair, a mix of irritation and amusement coloring my response. “Since none of your damn business, that’s
when.”
“Oh ho!” Anthony’s voice dripped with gleeful satisfaction. “The mighty Alexander Knight, getting defensive? This is interesting.”
“Don’t you have actual work to do?” I drummed
fingers on the desk, fighting back a smile despite myself. “Like running
that overpriced hospital of yours or treating your patients?”
“My work right now is figuring out why you’re suddenly playing knight in shining armor,” He paused. “Get it? Knight?
Because your name-
“That joke wasn’t funny the first hundred times you made it.”
“Come on, Alex. Spill. Is she hot?”
I glanced at my office door, lowering my voice. “I’m hanging up now.”
“Wait, she is hot! I knew it. You’re actually blushing, aren’t you? The great Alexander Knight, blushing over-
“Goodbye, Anthony.” I ended the call mid–sentence, tossing my phone onto the desk with perhaps more force than necessary.
My phone immediately lit up with a text: I’ll get it out of you eventually. Dinner this weekend?
I ignored it but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. Anthony had always been like a dog with a bone when he
sensed gossip Some things never changed since our college days.
