05|Devil's recaination.

Alaric's pov.

"Don’t you want me? I may be a virgin, but I give the best blowjob. Just sit back and let me take care of you—I promise to make you cum, daddy~"

“Alaric? Alaric, are you even listening to me?”

Adam’s frustrated voice on the other line cut through my thoughts, snapping me out of my daze for the third time today.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly as the corner of my lips curled into a smirk. Ignoring the persistent ache in my pants, I leaned back in my chair, fingers tapping idly against the hard surface of my desk. Shifting slightly, I adjusted my position and lifted the phone higher, pretending to focus—when, in reality, my mind was still stuck on that sinful little voice.

“Yes, I’m listening,” I drawled, my tone low and laced with boredom. “You were saying something about how evil I am, right? Please, go on. I’d love to hear more about how I’m the devil’s reincarnation.”

Adam paused at my words before scoffing dramatically, then suddenly screamed,

“I swear to God, Alaric, I am going to smack you when I see you! You know what? This isn’t even your fault—it’s mine for listening to you. How the hell do you sleep at night after pulling something like this?”

I shrugged, my smirk widening as I leaned back lazily.

“Do you think I sleep well at night in the first place?” I mused. “But you know what? Three nights ago, I actually slept pretty damn well. Guess all I needed was to do something bad instead of those pathetic meds you keep forcing on me.”

Adam let out an exasperated groan. “Y-you—God, you’re a devil. You destroyed that girl’s wedding, Alaric! I don’t even know if I should be impressed or terrified.” He sucked in a sharp breath before continuing, his voice almost accusatory.

“Last year at the engagement ceremony, when you told me to bring Serena along with me, I was skeptical at first. I mean, we all know how Serena is around men, especially men in relationships. But I thought, maybe, just maybe, you didn't have an interior motive to destroy Isla’s relationship. But now? Now I’m sure you did it on purpose. And what’s terrifying is that you knew Serena would seduce him and that Isla's fiancé would cheat”.

I yawned as Adam ranted, my hand reaching for the file in front of me while I listened without bothering to interrupt.

“Alaric… are you even listening to me?! I asked if you did it on purpose!” His voice was laced with frustration. “I’m literally watching the trending video on YouTube right now. Do you know what the title is? ‘Pregnant Mistress Causes a scene at the Wedding of the Ashford Family’s Heiress.’ Serena is fucking pregnant with Isla’s fiancé—”

“Ex fiancé,” I cut him off, my voice colder than I intended.

Adam fell silent for a moment, and I could almost picture the sneer of disgust on his face.

“And whose fault is that?” he finally muttered. “Man, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. You usually don’t give a damn about anything other than yourself, but now you pull this? And on top of that, I heard you’re forcing Isla to work for you? You’ve lost it, Alaric—wait… Don’t tell me you like her.”

I scoffed and flipped open the file, my eyes landing on none other than my little rose herself. My gaze roamed over the résumé with interest.

Name: Isla Ashford

Age: 22

Education: Business Administration, Harvard University

Experience: Senior Executive at Ashford Corporation

“What do you want me to say?” I murmured, flipping the page and pulling out her picture. My eyes lingered on the image as I tilted my head slightly. “That I didn’t do what you’re accusing me of? That I have no idea what you’re talking about? Or perhaps that I didn’t send one of my strippers to an engagement ceremony to seduce a pathetic excuse of a man?” A quiet chuckle left my lips. “Pfft, even if I denied it, you wouldn’t believe me. So why waste my breath on something so… insignificant?”

“Alaric—”

“And as for whether or not I like Isla…” My smile widened as I brought the picture closer, my fingers trailing over her delicate features. “That’s something for me to know and for you to figure out, since you seem so intent on keeping tabs on me.” My tone darkened slightly as I added, “But let me warn you, Adam—the next time I catch one of your men lurking in the shadows, I won’t be nearly as nice.”

Before he could say another word, I ended the call and set the phone down on the desk. My fingers tapped lightly against the photograph as memories of that night replayed in my mind.

“I’m so close, little rose,” I murmured, a slow smile tugging at my lips. “Just a little more time, and you’ll be all mine.”

Slipping the picture back into the file, I tucked it away in the drawer before absentmindedly running a finger over my bottom lip.

Now, as for what Adam was accusing me of—sending one of my strippers to that bastard on purpose to ruin my little rose’s marriage? You could say I did it. But was it really so wrong? All I did was toss a piece of bone to a starving dog. It wasn’t my fault the dog devoured it.

Heh. He really was an idiot—throwing away a rare gem for a few fleeting nights of pleasure. If he could be tempted so easily, then he was never worthy of her to begin with. In fact, no one was.

No one except me.

Knock, knock.

My gaze flickered to the door, and I leaned back in my seat before straightening slightly, my eyes narrowing.

“Come in.”

A woman entered. I didn’t recognize her, and I didn’t care to. But the name tag pinned to her blouse told me she worked for me.

“Good morning, Mr. Voss. Miss Isla is here.” She bowed politely before stepping aside.

And then, there she was.

The moment my eyes landed on her, my body reacted—instantly, instinctively.

She stood there, neat and proper in her white suit, her little glasses perched on her nose—the same ones she always tilted higher whenever she was nervous.

The moment her eyes met mine, she went stiff, a blush creeping onto her face as she swallowed nervously.

“Little rose,” I whispered, and from the way she quickly avoided my gaze, I knew she had heard me.