Chapter Four.

Alexander Cage's POV.

Three Years Later.

My fingers unconsciously clenched into fists as I listened to my uncle's demanding tone on the other end of the line, and I could not stay silent any longer.

"You can't force me into signing over my company, Uncle Donald. The clause clearly states that I can only transfer ownership if Reyna and I are divorced. But we are still married," I explained, my voice rising in frustration. "We are not divorced. Reyna just disappeared without a word!" I added, struggling to keep my anger in check.

Uncle Donald had been on my nerves for the past three years, threatening legal action if I didn’t comply.

It had been three years since I'd last heard from Reyna, and I repeatedly tried to explain that I had no idea where she was or how she was doing. I asked for more time to find her, but Uncle Donald refused to budge.

"It's been three years, Alexander Cage. Three fucking whole years and you are yet to find your wife. I gave you enough time to bring her back home but you can't do such a simple task!" He spoke as if it was easy to track down Reyna.

"It doesn't matter if you guys are still married. What matters is that you let your wife off and you must find her and bring her home. Failure to do that means you must transfer the company to me, or else I will be compelled to take this issue to court," He threatened, and my expression darkened.

"You can't do that. What does the court have to do with this issue when it can be easily resolved between us?!" My grip on my phone tightened as I spoke through gritted teeth.

"Because_One, you are going against the clause stated in your marriage documents which was created by your late father, Douglas Cage, when you were getting married to Reyna. And_Two, you are being irresponsible because what sort of husband would let his wife run off without giving a damn about where she ran off to for the past three years?!" He demanded and I finally lost it!

"Who the fuck is the asshole that said I didn't give a damn about Reyna?" I snapped back. "I do give a damn, and I am doing everything within my power to find out where she is, but it just feels like she vanished into thin air. There's been no news about Reyna, Uncle Donald."

"Then do better! You have just one week, only one week to find Reyna and bring her home at any cost. If you are unable to do so, then this case would either be brought up in court, or you can decide to be wise by giving ownership of the company to me." He threatened then hung up the call on me before I could say anything.

"Fuck your ass, Donald! Fuck you!!" I cussed loudly, about to smash my phone against the tiled ground to lash out my frustration and anger but the double doors leading into the sitting room caught my attention as it was pushed open, and Chloe sauntered into the parlor in a drunken state.

With a creased brow, I strode slowly to where she was and inquired in a demanding tone, "Where were you last night, Chloe?" I asked and she looked at me, but her gray eyes were unfocused due to her intoxicated state.

"Why didn't come home yesterday and did not also pick up my calls all through the night?" I asked and she walked past me in zig zags, heading upstairs as she responded in a drunk voice. "I was out with my girlfriends, dummy head. Where else would I be?"

I grabbed her wrist and turned her to face me, "You lie, Chloe. I called all your friends last night and asked where you were but they all said they had no idea. So tell me right now, where were you? Who the fuck are you seeing behind my back?"

Chloe yanked her hand away from my grip, almost falling to the floor but she managed to regain her balance as she pointed her finger to my face, "You have no right whatsoever to ask such a ridiculous question, Alexander Cage. We are not married, and I have every right in the world to see who I want!" I raised an eyebrow, finding it hard to believe all of what she said.

"I can stay out all night, get drunk and fuck with any man If I must! You hold no place in my life, Alex!" She stated and I watched her storm off into the bedroom upstairs.

I heard a familiar mocking chuckle, and I turned in its direction. There I saw Maddox, walking out of the kitchen with pizza filled in his mouth.

"When the hell did you get your ass into my house?" I questioned, but he continued laughing at me, so I grabbed a pillow from the couch and threw it at him angrily. "Stop laughing, man, and answer my question. What's so funny?"

He dashed to the side, dodging the hit as he continued his mocking chuckle which annoyed me further while he settled on a couch that was far away from me for his safety.

"It's clear that your perfect life has been turned upside down ever since my sweet sister-in-law left you." He said, and I silently slumped on the couch, massaging my temples cause I knew the blabbermouth must've heard everything between me and Uncle Donald. Then there's Chloe too.

"I warned you multiple times, Alex, but you just wouldn't listen. Now look at the mess you're in," he said, shrugging as he took a bite of his pizza. "But hey, 'that's none of my business,' just like you always say. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you’re aware of the banquet at the Hudson residence for the billionaires."

"Yeah, I know about it. What's going on? Any problems?" I replied, my tone flat. His eyes lit up unexpectedly.

"I heard the heir of the Hudson family died in a fire a few months ago, and his wife took over his properties and companies. But what’s intriguing is that nobody knows who she is. They’re holding a banquet party tomorrow to reveal her identity."

"What does that have to do with me?" I scoffed, shutting my eyes.

"Don't tell me you're considering skipping it! Do you have any idea how many tycoons and billionaires will be at that party?" He stood up from the couch, pizza in hand, and took a few steps away from me.

"This is a massive opportunity to network and grow our business, Alex. If you say no, then I might have to agree with Chloe that you are indeed a Dummy head," he added, his tone playful yet provocative.

My eyes flew open at his words, but he was already retreating, knowing all too well the consequences of provoking me.

****

The next day, I reluctantly agreed to attend the Hudson Banquet Party, thanks to the blabbermouth Maddox's relentless persuasion. I hadn’t wanted to go at first, but his endless lectures about the importance of being there were unbearable.

When we finally arrived, the party was already in full swing. I realized I had wasted so much time debating whether to go and what outfit to pick that I ended up missing the beginning of the event.

The lights in the hall suddenly went off, and a spotlight was shone on the stage before us the hall went silent, and every gaze was fixed on the stage as an elderly man dressed in a black tuxedo was pushed onto the stage in a wheelchair by his bodyguard.

He was known as Roberto Hudson, one of the richest billionaires in the county before he retired and put his late son as the successor to his company and properties after a tragic accident that held him captive in a wheelchair for years.

"As we all know, my late son, Theo Hudson, who had been running my business and moving it to greater heights ever since I retired, sadly died in a tragic fire outbreak a few months back, which I am yet to recover from the loss of my only son. But I am glad that he left someone worthy enough. A woman with the brains and also the heart to keep the business thriving."

“Yo, man. Here comes the big reveal,” Maddox whispered, nudging my shoulder excitedly.

“Shhh, you talk too much,” I complained, shooting him a glare. Sometimes Maddox’s childish antics left me wondering how we’d been friends for so long.

Then I heard it: “So let’s welcome on stage my late son’s wife and the sole heir of the Hudson properties and companies, Reyna Hudson!” Roberto announced.

My attention was drawn to the stage at the sound of her name, and there she was, walking confidently in a glittering black dress that accentuated her curves perfectly under the spotlight.

Her blue eyes shimmered, her face radiant, looking more breathtaking than I remembered. But I was left bewildered by her last name.

"My wife is— Reyna Hudson?" I whispered in disbelief.