Chapter 7

**Alexander's POV**

 I stormed into the board meeting, my anger and frustration palpable. The room fell silent as I took my seat at the head of the table.

 "Alright, let's get started," I said, my voice low and menacing. "I'm not pleased with the current state of our stock exchange. Our demand has plummeted, and it's all because of this ridiculous marriage saga."

 My board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. "Boss, we're doing everything we can to mitigate the damage," one of them said.

 I slammed my fist on the table, making them jump. "Mitigate the damage? You're not doing enough! I want to see a turnaround in these numbers, and I want to see it now."

 My marketing department head, a timid-looking woman, spoke up. "We're trying, Sir, but the public perception of you is—"

 I cut her off, my voice rising. "Public perception? You think I care about that? I'm Alexander fucking knight, for crying out loud and I won't let this company crumble because of some petty PR issue."

 The room fell silent again, with my board members exchanging nervous glances.

 "What's the plan, Sir?" one of them asked.

 I took a deep breath, composing myself. "I want to launch a counterattack. I want to show the public that I'm not the villain they're making me out to be. I want to—"

 My PA, James, walked in, interrupting me. "Sorry to interrupt, Boss, but I have some information you requested."

 I nodded for him to proceed.

 "Regarding Mr. Lucian Voss, I couldn't find much. They're a rival company competing in the same market sector, but that's about it."

 I frowned. "What do you mean you couldn't find much? I want to know everything about him. His family background, his education, his personal life... everything."

 James nodded. "I'll keep digging, but I have to add , Mr. Voss seems to have a very... clean record. Apart from the fact that we know him as our company rival, he has no social media presence, no public records... it's as if he just appeared out of thin air."

 My curiosity was piqued. "That's impossible. Everyone leaves a trail. Find out what you can, James. I want to know what's going on with this guy."

 James nodded and left the room.

 The board meeting continued, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake the feeling that Lucian Voss was up to something.

 As the meeting drew to a close, I turned to my board members. "I want to see a plan for a counterattack by the end of the day. I want to know what we're going to do to turn this around."

 They nodded, scurrying out of the room to start working on the plan.

 I sat back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the door. I couldn't shake the feeling of losing.

 Suddenly, my PA buzzed me. "Boss, Chloe is here to see you."

 I raised an eyebrow. Chloe was Isabella's best friend, and I had a... complicated history with her.

 "Send her in," I said, a smile spreading across my face.

 Chloe walked in, her long blonde hair bouncing with each step. "Alexander, darling," she said, sauntering over to my desk. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

 I stood up, my eyes locked on hers. "Not at all, Chloe. I was just about to take a break, I've really had a long day."

 She smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh? And what did you have in mind?"

 I walked around my desk, my eyes never leaving hers. "I think we can think of something."

 She stepped closer to me and grabbed me by the neck....Oh how I love when she does that. 

 We kissed, our lips crashing together in a fierce, passionate kiss.

 As we broke apart for air, Chloe smiled up at me. "I've missed you, Alexander."

 I grinned, my heart racing. "I've missed you too, baby."

 But as we continued to kiss, I couldn't shake the feeling of despair I as feeling towards Lucian. something is wrong, and it's getting me distracted from the pleasure I'm experiencing.

 We pulled back, and Chloe stared at me. "So, what's going on with you? You seem a little... distracted."

 I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's just this Lucian Voss guy. I don't know what his deal is, but I have a feeling he's up to something."

 Chloe's eyes narrowed. "What's his story?"

 I filled her in on what James had found, or rather, what he hadn't found.

 Chloe's eyes widened. "That's creepy. I don't like it."

 I nodded. "I don't like it either. But I'm going to find out what's going on with him, no matter what it takes."

 Chloe smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're so intense, honey. I love it."

 I grinned, pulling her close. "You know me. I'm always intense when I'm interested in something."

 "Have you been able to reach Isabella?" She asked while buttoning back her clothes 

 "No..not really. I doubt it that she'll even want to hear our side of the story. 

 "But babyyyy, why are we still keeping this a secret. She's out of the picture now, we can come public" Chloe said while using both hands to grab my cheek. 

 " No....no babe, you know how this whole charade has reduced the marketing pace of my company, I can't afford no more drama. For now"

 She started sulking but I didn't care. not now not ever. 

 *******

 LATER THAT DAY

 The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. I was on edge, my senses on high alert.

 Finally, my phone buzzed. "Alexander, I think I found something," James said, his voice low and serious.

 I sat up straight, my heart racing. "What is it?"

 "I found a connection between Lucian Voss and your ex-fiancée, Isabella," James said.

 My eyes narrowed. "What kind of connection?"

 "It looks like they've been meeting in secret," James said. "I have a witness who places them at a coffee shop together, just a few days ago."

 I felt a surge of anger. "That little... I need to talk to her. She planned this whole drama, to humiliate me with her cheating boyfriend"

 "I don't think that's a good idea," James said. "You need to calm down and think this through."

 But I was already out of the office, heading to the coffee shop to confront Isabella and Lucian.

 As I drove, my mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and deceit, I knew that I was in for a surprise. And I wasn't sure if I was ready.

 But I was ready to find out.

 The coffee shop was bustling with people, the noise and chaos a stark contrast to the calm, collected feeling I had just minutes before.

 I spotted Isabella and Lucian sitting in the corner, laughing and chatting like they were old friends.

 My eyes narrowed, my anger simmering just below the surface. You wanted humiliation Bella? Let's see who can do it best.

 It was time to get some answers.