Chapter 35

Alice jerked her hand back, her voice flat. "I just needed some extra cash."

"Stop playing innocent!" The server scoffed, shoving her away. Alice stumbled and hit the ground.

When she looked up, Alexander stood a few feet away.

His expression was unreadable, but Alice could feel the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

He was furious.

She slowed her steps, letting the other servers pass before quietly approaching him. Before she could explain, his fingers gripped her chin.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Alexander’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Without warning, his lips crashed onto hers.

The kiss was wild, possessive—yet laced with something darker. A warning. A punishment.

Victoria watched, her face burning with humiliation. She wrenched free and bolted.

Nearby, two cars idled.

Dominic smirked at Ethan. "She’s been ignoring me for days. I thought she was just shy. Turns out she’s aiming higher—my cousin? Really? Sneaking in as a server to seduce him?"

Ethan chuckled. "She was always Alexander’s. You’re lucky he didn’t kill you for even looking at her. Pay up the bet."

Dominic rubbed his jaw. "Who says I’ve lost? That girl might seem like his, but Alexander doesn’t do attachments. You know how ruthless he is. That kiss wasn’t affection—it was a trap."

"A trap?"

"Grandparents are throwing this party to find him a wife. He doesn’t want any of them, so he’s using her as a shield. Now every woman here will tear her apart."

Ethan’s eyes widened. "Damn. That’s cold."

Dominic grinned. "Now you’re catching on."

Meanwhile, Alice fled into Knight Manor, her cheeks streaked with angry tears.

Why would he do that?

She just needed to snap a few photos for Margaret and escape.

Wiping her face, she rummaged through her bag—but the rented camera was gone.

Her stomach dropped.

That camera cost over a thousand dollars. If she lost it—

"Looking for this?"

Alexander’s icy voice cut through the air.

She turned.

In his hand was not the camera.

But a pregnancy test.