+15 BONUS
Chapter 236
Madison
“Scarlett?” 1 nearly choked on my coffee. “Why would she
“Because I rejected her advances, and she doesn’t take rejection well.” He shrugged. “She thought creating rumors about us would force my hand, make me reach out to her.”
“That’s…” I searched for the right word. “Delusional.”
“Indeed.” His smile was cold. “She’ll be receiving a cease and desist letter this afternoon.”
The waiter arrived with my breakfast, temporarily halting our conversation. When he left, I leaned forward.
“What about the other articles? The ones about Penelope?”
“Those trace back to a former employee named Robert Griffin. He was fired last year for embezzlement.”
“And he’s been writing fake news about you as revenge?”
“Not writing–feeding information to journalists who don’t bother fact–checking.” Alexander’s voice was tight with controlled anger. “But Robert isn’t clever enough to orchestrate this alone. Someone’s backing him, possibly paying him.”
“Who?”
“That’s what we’re still determining.” He ran a finger around the rim of his coffee cup. “My legal team is proceeding with action against both Robert and the publications that ran his stories. Defamation, false claims, market manipulation–the works.”
I took a bite of my toast, considering this. “So someone’s trying to tank your reputation and Knight Industries‘ reputation and stock prices. A competitor?”
“Possibly.” His eyes met mine. “Or someone with a personal vendetta.”
“You do have a talent for making enemies,” I observed.
His lips twitched. “One of my many skills.”
“Along with modesty.”
“I’ve never claimed to be modest.” His gaze dropped to my lips. “Just effective.”
I felt heat creep up my neck. “Well, whoever it is, they’re going to regret messing with you.‘
“Without question.” He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. “Your loyalty is… unexpected.”
“Is it?” I withdrew my hand, suddenly self–conscious. “I work for you. Your company’s reputation affects my career, too.”
“Is that the only reason?” His eyes held mine, searching.
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1 busied myself with my food. “I should hope my boss isn’t involved in scandals. Makes for awkward water cooler conversation.”
Alexander laughed. “God, Madison. You’re the only person who talks to me like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m just a man, not a balance sheet.” Something vulnerable flickered across his face before disappearing,” It’s… refreshing.”
The moment stretched between us, charged with something I wasn’t ready to name. I broke eye contact first.
“Well, someone has to keep your ego in check, Mr. Knight.”
His smile turned predatory. “And you do it so well, Ms. Harper.”
I took a sip of my coffee to hide my smirk. “Someone has to. Your ego would fill the entire building otherwise.”
“Only the top ten floors,” he countered, signaling the waiter for the check.
I finished the last bite of my avocado toast, dabbing my lips with the napkin. “So this Robert Griffin person—is he behind the stock crash too? That seems like a major escalation from writing fake dating rumors.”
Alexander’s expression hardened. “Yes, he’s involved, but I doubt he’s the mastermind. Robert was always more of a follower than a leader. Someone’s using him.”
“Like a puppet,” I mused. “Any ideas who’s pulling the strings?”
“Several.” He signed the check without even glancing at the total. “I have a short list of suspects.”
“Care to share with the class?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Not yet.” He stood, buttoning his suit jacket. “I prefer to have concrete evidence before making accusations.”
I gathered my clutch and stood as well. “Fair enough. What about Selena Johnson? Any progress there?”
Alexander’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Not exactly. We have information suggesting she’s in London, but no confirmation yet. Leo’s contact should have full details this week.”
London. My mind instantly made the connection. Katherine was in London, too. Was that just a coincidence or something more? I chewed my lower lip, thoughts racing. Katherine and Alexander had a history, a serious one, from what Caroline had implied. But if Katherine wanted Alexander back, why would she need to drug him? She could probably walk back into his life effortlessly, reclaiming her place as if no time had passed at all.
No, this had to be something else. Someone could be using Selena as a pawn, or perhaps Selena herself had her own motives for wanting to drug him. The possibilities were endless, each more unsettling than the last.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Alexander’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I blinked, meeting his intense gaze. “Nothing important.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Madison.” He stepped closer, his cologne enveloping me. “Your face gives everything away.”
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“Not everything,” I countered, keeping Katherine’s name locked behind my teeth. No need to let him know I’d been digging into his past. Our arrangement was complicated enough without adding that particular landmine,
Alexander studied me for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “One day, Madison, I’ll figure out exactly what goes on in that head of yours.”
“Good luck with that,” I replied, forcing a lightness into my voice I didn’t feel. “I barely understand it myself half the time.”
Alexander’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he nodded.
We moved towards the hotel reception, where Alexander handled the checkout process with the same efficiency he applied to everything in his life. It was almost mesmerizing to watch him interact with the staff, his voice smooth and commanding, leaving no room for error or delay.
His hand found the small of my back as we walked toward the exit, the heat of his palm seeping through the thin fabric of my new blouse. “The car is waiting. We should get to the office.”
Outside, the morning air was crisp and clean after the storm. Alexander’s sleek black car idled at the curb, his driver standing at attention beside the rear door.
“Good morning, James,” Alexander greeted as the driver opened the door for us.
“Morning, sir. Ms. Harper.” James nodded politely.
I slid into the backseat, Alexander following close behind. As soon as the door closed, he pulled out his phone and began typing rapidly, his brow furrowed in concentration.
“Something wrong?” I asked, watching his fingers fly across the screen.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” He didn’t look up.
I nodded, turning to look out the window as the city blurred past. The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t exactly relaxed either. There was tension in the air, questions unasked, and answers withheld on
both sides.
When we arrived at the office building, Alexander finally put his phone away. “I have meetings until three. I’ll need you to sit in on the call with investors at eleven.”
“Of course.” I gathered my things, preparing to exit the car.
His hand caught my wrist, stopping me. “The burgundy looks good on you,” he said, his voice low. “I was right about the color.”
Heat bloomed in my cheeks. “Thank you for the clothes. And the room.‘
“My pleasure.” His thumb traced small circles on the inside of my wrist, sending shivers up my arm. “We’ll continue where we left off. Soon.”
It wasn’t a question. I nodded, not trusting my voice.
“Good girl,” he murmured, releasing my wrist.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
