Chapter 25

The call was from Alexander.

The old man's voice carried both authority and a hint of pleading. "Alexander, since you mentioned that woman was there to comfort your mother, your grandmother and I have decided to host a small gathering this weekend. Several eligible young ladies from prominent families in both Harborview City and Kingsbury will be in attendance..."

"I'm not interested." Alexander cut him off before he could finish.

The old man sighed, softening his tone further. "Alexander, at least let me finish. Please?"

Silence.

"Alexander?"

"I'm listening."

"When it comes to Knight Enterprises, I won't interfere. But I'm ninety-six years old. Must I leave this world without seeing you settled? If you happen to take a liking to one of the young ladies, wonderful. If not, I won't force you." The last words were nearly a plea.

Alexander glanced at Victoria, still standing in the rain, and replied coolly, "Fine."

After hanging up, he turned to her. "Prepare yourself. This weekend, you'll accompany me to Knight Manor to meet my grandfather."

Victoria's eyes widened in shock. "Master Alexander... did you just say... you want me to go with you?"

"Yes. You'll meet my family," he said flatly.

He had no intention of choosing a wife from the gathering.

In this lifetime, Alexander would never form alliances through marriage. He would never select a bride from some prestigious family.

His wife could only be Victoria—whether or not they had feelings for each other.

But there was responsibility.

He wouldn’t let the woman he’d slept with suffer the same fate as his mother—unrecognized, invisible, living in the shadows.

Since it had to be Victoria, he might as well take her to meet his family. It would also crush any hopes the other women might have.

"Meeting the family... I'm really going to meet Alexander's family!" Victoria murmured to herself, forgetting he was still there. "What should I wear? I have to be the most stunning. I won’t let any of those women steal him from me!"

Then she snapped back to reality, hastily schooling her expression. "Master Alexander, don’t worry. I’ll dress appropriately—elegant, refined. I’ll never embarrass you. And I’ll always remember I’m your woman. I’ll behave!"

With that, she turned to leave, stepping back into the rain.

"Wait." His voice stopped her.

He had meant to tell her to take the car—she was his fiancée, after all. He couldn’t let her walk home in the rain.

But Victoria spun around, eyes bright. "Master Alexander, did you want to ask me about Alice?"

Alexander raised a brow. "Hmm?"

"You told me to be obedient, so I didn’t dare bring it up. But as your fiancée, I feel I should warn you. Alice was always trouble—partying in bars, getting involved with older men. One even tried to take advantage of her, and she accidentally killed him. That’s why she went to prison."

"And in prison... well, let’s just say she didn’t change." She left the implication hanging, watching his reaction.

Alexander’s expression remained unreadable.

Victoria pressed on. "She must have an ulterior motive for getting close to your mother. Don’t let her fool you. I... I understand that a man like you might have other women. I won’t be jealous."

"But Alice is... filthy. Her past is a mess. She’s not good for you."

"Master Alexander..."

Alexander’s face stayed impassive.