r 255
Alexander
“Currently single.” She adjusted a diamond bracelet on her wrist. “London’s dating scene is… let’s call it ‘quaint
compared to New York. Besides, I’m married to my career at the moment.”
“I’m surprised,” I said, not meaning it. “Successful, intelligent woman like yourself.”
She laughed again. “Flattery, Alexander? That doesn’t seem like you.‘
“Just an observation.”
“Well, relationships require time I simply don’t have right now.” She leaned back in her chair. “Investment banking isn’t exactly conducive to work–life balance. Sixty–hour weeks are the norm, not the exception.”
“I know the feeling,” I replied.
“Do you?” Her eyebrow arched slightly. “Somehow, I imagined you’d have assistants to handle the grunt work.”
An image of Madison flashed in my mind: her determined expression as she tackled the Manhattan Project, the way she stayed by my side during the stock crisis. The thought of her waiting in the car sent me an unexpected pang of impatience.
“Even with the best team, some things require personal attention,” I said.
“Indeed they do.” Selena’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “So, now that we’ve established we’re both workaholics with non–existent love lives, perhaps you’ll tell me why you’re really here? I doubt you crossed an ocean for small talk about my dating habits.”
Leo shifted in his seat. “Can’t old classmates catch up without an agenda?”
“They can,” she replied smoothly. “But Alexander Knight doesn’t do anything without purpose. That hasn’t changed since high school.”
Her perception wasn’t wrong. I’d always been calculated, even as a teenager.
“You’re right,” I admitted. “I’ve never been one for social calls.”
Leo shifted beside me, his body language casual but alert. I could feel the tension in the room, the carefully choreographed dance of two predators circling each other.
“So let’s cut to the chase,” I continued. “We’re looking into an… incident that occurred at a recent event in New
York.”
Selena’s expression remained perfectly neutral. “An incident? How vague. And what does this have to do with me? I’ve been in London for two years.”
“That’s what makes it interesting,” Leo interjected. “Someone drugged Alexander’s drink at the Morrison merger celebration. Someone who went by the initial ‘S‘.”
“And naturally, you thought of me?” She laughed, the sound like crystal breaking. “I’m flattered that I’m still
1/3
Chapter 256
+25 BONUS
on your radar after all these years, Alexander, but I’ve been rather busy building my career here.”
“The timing is suspicious,” I pressed. “Knight Industries announces a major expansion into European markets, and suddenly, someone’s trying to incapacitate me at a high–profile event.”
Selena sipped her tea delicately. “And you think I care enough about your business ventures to drug you? Please. Thornfield and Knight operate in completely different spheres.”
“Not entirely,” I countered. “Your recent acquisition of Helvetica puts you squarely in competition with our financial services division.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve done your homework.”
“Always do,” I replied.
She set her teacup down with a gentle clink. “Well, this has been enlightening, but I have a conference call in twenty minutes. If you’ve finished accusing me of international corporate espionage, perhaps we can-
“We’re not finished,” I interrupted, my voice hardening. “A bartender named Tyler Phillips was paid to slip something into my drink. He described a woman with dark hair who called herself ‘S‘.”
“How original,” she scoffed. “Do you know how many women in finance have names starting with S? Sophia Reynolds at Goldman. Sarah Chen at Blackstone. Samantha Winters at JP Morgan.” She counted them off on her manicured fingers. “Should I continue?”
“None of them went to high school with me.”
“Neither did I, technically,” she corrected. “I transferred in senior year, remember? We barely interacted.”
That gave me pause. I didn’t remember her at all, which seemed to amuse her.
“See? I wasn’t even a blip on the great Alexander Knight’s radar.” She stood up, smoothing her dress. “Now, if you’ll excuse me-”
“Sit down,” I commanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous register.
To my surprise, she complied, though her eyes flashed with irritation.
“This is becoming harassment,” she said coolly. “I’ve entertained your absurd accusations long enough.”
1 leaned forward. “Tyler identified your photograph, Selena. We know it was you.”
Her composure faltered briefly before she regained it. “That’s impossible.”
“Is it? We showed him pictures of women from my past. He recognized you immediately.”
“He’s lying,” she snapped. “I haven’t been to New York in months.”
“Your passport says otherwise,” Leo countered. “You flew into JFK a few weeks ago. Left two days after the Morrison event.”
Her eyes widened fractionally. We were bluffing; we had no access to her passport records, but her reaction told me everything.
2/3
Chapter 255
+25 BONUS
“This is ridiculous,” she said, her voice rising slightly. “I don’t have to listen to this in my home.” She reached for her phone. “I’m calling security.”
Leo moved faster than I expected, plucking the phone from her hand. “No need for that.”
Selena’s composure finally shattered. She stood abruptly, backing away from us with a frantic edge to her movements. “Get out of my house now, or I’ll scream and tell everyone you tried to assault me.”
I remained seated, unruffled by her threat. “By all means, scream. I’m sure the police would be very interested in the security footage from the Morrison event.”
“You’re bluffing,” she hissed.
“Am I? The bartender gave us quite a detailed statement. The money trail is next. Ten thousand dollars leaves traces, Selena, no matter how careful you are.”
Her hand disappeared into the drawer of a nearby side table, emerging with a small pistol that she pointed directly at my chest.
“Get out,” she said, her voice steady despite the wild look in her eyes.
Leo tensed beside me, but I remained calm, studying her stance. The way she held the gun suggested familiarity, which was not a good sign.
“Pulling a gun seems excessive for someone who claims innocence,” I observed, keeping my voice level.
“I’m not going to jail because you can’t handle your liquor,” she spat.
I raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. I never mentioned jail.”
Her finger tightened on the trigger. “I said get out!”
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.
