Chapter 15

Alice stood frozen, utterly speechless.

"What... What did you just say?"

Despite her usual composure, Alice was shaken to her core by Alexander's words.

"Enough stalling!" Alexander had no intention of explaining. He gripped her wrist and pulled her deeper into The Grandview.

Behind them, Dominic—the man who had just driven Alice here from the construction site—stood dumbfounded. He rubbed his temples, fumbling for his phone with trembling fingers.

The call connected almost immediately.

"Ethan, I might not live to see tomorrow," Dominic whispered, his voice unsteady.

Ethan chuckled from the other end. "What now? Don’t tell me the girl you kidnapped an hour ago nearly killed you?"

"This isn’t funny! That woman belongs to Alexander Knight."

Silence.

Then, Ethan cleared his throat. "Uh… I’m driving. Can’t talk. Bye!"

Dominic stared at his phone in disbelief. The line went dead.

Before he could react, a trembling hand latched onto his arm. He recoiled, shaking off the grip of a disheveled Victoria Sullivan.

Her makeup was smeared, her face ghostly pale. "M-Master Dominic… please, explain what just happened?"

Dominic scoffed.

Some people really are this clueless.

"Clearly, he wasn’t here for you," he said dryly. "But you dressed up and waited like a fool."

He shrugged. "Sorry, but I’ve got my own problems. I need to find a talisman before Alexander kills me."

With that, he strode out, leaving Victoria humiliated and seething.

Her gaze snapped to Alexander and Alice, still standing at the end of the corridor.

Fueled by desperation, Victoria charged forward, blocking their path. She grabbed Alice’s arm, nails digging in.

"Alice Carter! Was this your plan all along? To ruin my engagement?" Victoria spat. "My family took you in at twelve, and this is how you repay us?"

Alice remained unshaken.

"Miss Sullivan, today is my wedding," she said coolly. "This is my husband. We’re legally married. You crashed our event in a wedding dress. Are you trying to be the homewrecker?"

She tilted her head. "Even if I were generous enough to forgive that…"

Her voice dropped to an icy whisper.

"Does my husband want you?"

Victoria flinched.

"A few days ago, Alexander promised to marry me!" she shrieked, avoiding his piercing glare.

Alice shrugged. "And?"

Victoria’s lips trembled.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

All of Harborview City knew she was Alexander’s fiancée. The Sullivans had invited half the elite to witness their triumph.

Now? They were a laughingstock.

Blind with rage, Victoria clutched Alexander’s sleeve. "You swore to my parents you’d marry me!"

Alexander’s gaze could have frozen hell.

"I said two months from now," he hissed. "Not today."

Victoria paled.

Alexander shoved her aside, signaling a makeup artist. "My mother arrives in thirty minutes. Get her ready."

The woman nodded, guiding Alice away.

Then, Alexander turned to Victoria.

She shuddered under his glare.

A horrifying realization struck her—

What if he knows?

What if he’s discovered she wasn’t the one who saved him that night?

If he found out… the Sullivans were finished.

"I—I’ll leave!" she stammered, backing away.

Too late. Alexander grabbed her like a ragdoll and hurled her toward the entrance.

Benjamin and Olivia Sullivan had been anxiously waiting.

Their relief at seeing Victoria vanished when she was thrown at their feet.

Benjamin swallowed hard. "Y-Young Master Knight…"

Alexander’s voice was lethal. "If Victoria hadn’t ‘saved’ me, she’d be dead already. Now—compensation or marriage?"

The Sullivans froze.

Had he uncovered their lie?

But his next words gave them hope.

"If you want the wedding in two months, leave now."

Benjamin nearly collapsed in relief. "Y-Yes! We’ll go!"

He dragged Olivia and a sobbing Victoria out, their dignity in tatters.

Alexander adjusted his suit and strode to the dressing room.

The door swung open with a light push.

And what he saw inside—

Left him speechless.