ALEXANDER'S POV
Thoughts raced through my mind as Redmond drove quickly out of the manor. My father's voice still chased after the car- raw, angry, desperate- but I ignored him as I had ignored him for years.
My chest tightened as old memories forced themselves up like unwanted ghosts.
I remembered when my mother disappeared… and it didn't take two weeks before my father held a full press conference to declare publicly that I was not his son. He claimed the Blackwood legacy by calling himself her husband. He even changed his last name to Blackwood.
If not for Grandfather- his lawyers, mother's will, his unstoppable fury- I would have been known everywhere as the bastard son of Amara Blackwood.
I stared out of the window, jaw clenched.
I still had to investigate my grandfather's sudden death… and my mother's disappearance. And today had only added more fuel to the fire.
"Master?" Sebastian's voice cut into my thoughts.
I furrowed my brow.
"The old man texted," he paused, holding the phone out with both hands. "He says he wishes for you to know something before you take full control of your mother's legacy. He also mentioned you have a guest, but he didn't say who."
I exhaled slowly. "Alright."
****
We arrived at Blackthorne Manor- my quiet sanctuary. Where Grandma lived. Where the old man stayed. Where loyalty was still sure.
"Welcome home, Master," the butler bowed. "A visitor awaits you on the second floor."
"Where's the old man?" I asked. Exhaustion sat heavily on my shoulders, but if he wanted to speak, it was important.
"He is in the lounge on the last floor. But he insisted you see the visitor first."
I nodded, though suspicion curled in my stomach. Who could it be?
A servant moved forward to take my tie the moment I loosened it. Another collected my jacket. A third offered a chilled crystal glass of water. I drank half in one swallow and handed it back.
Then I stepped into the elevator alone. The soft hum of the ascent made my ears ring.
The bell dinged at the second floor. I stepped out… Only to come face-to-face with Miss Scarlet Crimson Oak.
One of the three most powerful and highest paid actresses in all of Thide country.
Fiery red hair and emerald eyes that sparkled with self-assurance. She stood when she saw me, her smile softening her sharp beauty. The crimson jumpsuit hugged her curves, paired with black stilettos and a leather jacket.
"Alexander," she breathed my name as if it were a plea.
My brows lifted slightly. "Coming back from an audition?"
She tucked a strand of her bright hair behind her ear."Yes."
"Mmm."
She took a step forward. "How do I look?" She spun lightly, a faint smile tugging on her lips.
"I'm sure you didn't come here for me to rate your outfit."
Her smile faltered but she fixed it again. "I heard about your engagement to Hazel."
"Lady Hazel," I corrected.
She moved closer, heels clicking softly, determination flickering in her eyes. "I was waiting until your birthday to tell you this."
I tilted my head slightly. Waiting.
"That…" Her voice shook. "That I love you."
I might have laughed on a normal day, but hunger and exhaustion kept my face still.
"So what do you want me to do with that?"
Her breath hitched
"Alex," she whispered, desperate now. "I can give you more than Hazel ever will. With the Crimson Oak family and the Blackwoods… you and I would be unstoppable."
"Actually," I said calmly, "the Jade Maples jewelry alone is valued at over twenty-five billion. Their combined companies are worth four hundred billion farqus. Meanwhile, your family stands at one hundred billion. They're four times more powerful than you."
Silence swallowed her.
I studied her gravely. She looked away first.
"I can give you happiness, Alexander," she murmured, voice trembling.
"How?" I asked, genuinely curious.
She opened her mouth… but nothing came out.
"How?" I repeated, firmer this time.
"I…" she stammered.
Her shoulders sagged a little, the fire dimming from her stare.
Nothing.
I turned to leave.
"Alexander!" Her voice cracked. "You love her, don't you?"
"Your words, not mine," I muttered under my breath- quiet enough that she didn't hear.
*
I reached the top floor and entered the lounge. The old man sat there - back straight, expression unreadable, hands clasped like he was holding the world together with his fingers. He had shaped me both physically and mentally, more than my father ever could.
"It's not nice to bully your cousin, Alex," he said the moment he saw me, eyes twinkling. "Even though he's adopted."
I let out a tired laugh. Damien… the boy Grandpa had adopted after I moved into this manor. He was supposed to be my brother, but after seeing the constant parade of children my father brought home from Vivian, I didn't want any more siblings. Damien had agreed to be called cousin.
The old man's smile faded gradually. His eyes softened, then sharpened- both at once.
"Alex," he said quietly, "the woman with the tattoo… the one Damien described on the phone…"
My heartbeat raced.
"I know her."
A cold sweat broke across my forehead as I reached for him.
Everything inside me went silent.