LOGINI wiped my hands slowly with a napkin, not even bothering to lift my eyes.
"Does the young master rule the heavens and earth, or does he rule where people throw their trash?""Besides, digging through the trash is a habit for dogs."My fingers went slack, and the napkin fluttered down onto the dessert box, covering it entirely.He strode quickly into the room, his gaze locked on the mess in the trash can."What the hell are you trying to say?!"I finally lifted mI looked up at the courtyard lights swaying in the distance."Southwest China."My voice was quiet.I didn't avoid the question."We confirmed things after Yunqi Temple."Roy Shen went still for a moment.Then something clicked behind his eyes.Understanding."Of course..."He murmured it.Then a knowing smile crossed his face.Self-mocking."So that landslide. The road closure. You weren't on a business trip.""No wonder you fought so hard to get through the blocked zone.""I kept wondering what project could possibly be worth that kind of risk to you."He paused.His gaze dropped to the ring on my finger."The vibe was off back then. I just didn't see it."The night breeze stirred his hair.He turned to look at me.Studied my face."Lisa. I don't get it. What are you after?"His voice dropped.Something rare flickered in his eyes.Seriousness."The Knights.
Gerald paused.His knuckles rapped against the table. A dull thud."A piece of paper. Legal recognition. That's supposed to settle it?""I'm not dead yet. This family doesn't answer to you alone.""A wife is chosen for virtue. For the union of two houses.""You're running Knight Group now. You should know better. Know when to compromise.""Throwing away everything for a moment of impulse. Gambling the company's future on—this."His voice dropped. The last two words landed light. But they hit hard."Is she worth it?"The question hung in the air. Aimed at Alexander. Aimed at everyone watching.A challenge. And a warning.Warning Alexander. Warning them all.He didn't recognize this marriage.Knight Group's future was still in his hands.---My chest tightened.I felt Alexander's grip on my hand. Suddenly firmer.His knuckles went rigid. Veins rose on the back of his hand. But his face stayed ca
My heart slammed against my ribs.Under the weight of countless stares, I set down my glass and walked through the silent crowd toward him.My fingers found his palm, warm.He closed his hand around mine.Tight.The heat of it seeped into my skin, solid and grounding.He faced the room.His voice was steady, carrying to every corner."Since everyone's here, there are two things I need to make clear.""First. The engagement between Miss Voss and me never began. So what exactly did I betray?""Second. There is someone in my life.""She's not a mistress. And she didn't intrude on anything."Alexander's grip tightened.Our fingers locked together."She's my wife. Legal and formal.""We got married this morning.""The law recognizes it. I recognize it. And sooner or later, every member of my family will have to recognize it too."The moment his voice stopped, the world went silent.Like a bomb deton
Linda's face went white. She could barely stand.She whipped her head toward Alexander, her voice scraping through clenched teeth."You knew all along?"Alexander glanced down, adjusting his cuff."That's an interesting accusation, Linda. You're the one who played the video. How could I have known what was on it?"Linda's voice turned shrill, desperate to regain control."Gerald! Elena must have been forced!"Her composure was gone."Alexander. This is you. You set this up to save yourself!""Elena!"Her voice cracked. One last thread of hope."Tell the truth. Did Luke force you?"Every eye landed on Elena.She stood where the light met the shadow. Her slender back was straight, rigid.Her face was pale. The fabric of her gown was crushed in her grip. But slowly, she lifted her head."No one forced me."Her voice was soft. But clear."I wanted this."Edward Voss shoved away the hands holding hi
Linda's fingers curled into her palms, nails digging in.Alexander's unshakeable calm infuriated her.She hadn't expected him to be this direct.This unflinching.What gave him the right to stand there so steady?The videos and photos she had were enough to destroy Lisa White's reputation.Enough to drag him through the mud too."Alexander. You're determined to protect that girl, aren't you? To hell with the dignity of both our families?"She drew a breath, as if summoning her last ounce of resolve.Her voice lifted, carrying to every corner of the room."Fine. If you want to see, I'll show everyone.""Just don't come crying to me afterward, begging me to take it back.""Gerald."She turned to him, her voice heavy and cold."I didn't come here to cause trouble tonight. But Alexander has pushed me too far. He's treated my family like we're nothing.""If the Knights won't give the Voss family the respect we're
Gerald's fingers stilled.The lid of his teacup clinked softly against the rim.He looked up, gaze heavy as it settled on Linda."Speak."The music in the ballroom had stopped.No one knew when.Every eye was fixed on the head table.Linda drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something monumental.She rose to face the room.The polite smile stayed on her lips, but her eyes held pain."Tonight was supposed to be a happy occasion. Another union between the Voss family and the Knights. I know this isn't the right time to speak.""But for the sake of both their futures, I have to."She turned to Gerald, her voice trembling slightly."Gerald. I've watched Alexander grow up. I've always believed in his character, his abilities.""For Elena to be matched with him... it's an honor for our family. A blessing."Then her tone shifted.Heavy with sorrow."Lately, though, I've heard things. Rumors I di
I tossed my words out lightly, slicing through the thin, delicate tension between the two Knight men.Alexander Knight turned slowly.A cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips."Always finding ways to put me to work, Miss White.""What’s your advice? Go on.""It&rsqu
Alexander's palm closed around hers, steadying the fishing rod firmly between her fingers."Mermaid?""Not in this sea."His voice brushed her ear, laced with quiet amusement."But there's a disobedient one on this boat."I opened my mouth to reply.The warm pad of h
The white yacht sliced through the azure sea, its engines humming a steady, low purr. A briny wind, sharp with the tang of the open sea, swept into the cabin.I leaned against the porthole, watching the pier shrink into a cluster of colorful blocks in the distance.Alexander sat opposit
I stared at the identical keycard. My mind buzzed.Of course.Clara, the ever-dutiful little matchmaker, was at it again."Guess my luck’s just that good—I got randomly assigned to the boss’s suite."Alexander Knight's gaze swept over my half-exposed shoulder







