Chapter 4

The soft sound of a text message broke the silence in Alexander luxurious office. He was seated behind his imposing desk, his phone lying informally beside a half-finished glass of whiskey. The restless shadow of the city’s skyline spilled through the windows, but his attention darted to the phone.

Leaning forward, he picked it up and unlocked the screen. His eyes scanned the brief text:

"I’ve decided to accept the offer."

His lips curved into a slow, triumphant smile. He didn’t need a name to know who it was from. Sophia.

“She finally gave in,” he murmured to himself, a self-assured amusement escaping his lips. The image of her reluctant gaze, the way her voice weakened when they last spoke, played clearly in his mind. The broken-down house, the desperation marked into her every movement—it had all led to this.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his thumb lazily brushing over the screen. The thought of her in his world, bound to him by agreement yet vulnerable and so totally unlike the people he was familiar to, filled him with a mixture of fascinated and satisfaction.

He let out a breath, standing from his chair and moving to the window. His reflection looked back at him, confident and victorious. “This will be interesting,” he said, nodded in affirmation and victory, almost to himself.

Another flash jingle interrupted his thoughts. Still smiling, he glanced down at his phone.

The message read:

"The offer is not accepted. It was a mistake."

The words hit him like a bucket of cold water. His smile vanished, replaced by a sharp frown. His grip on the phone tightened as he read the text again, doubt flashing across his face.

“What the hell?” he whispered, his brows furrowing.

For a moment, he stood motionless, glancing at the message. His thoughts became restless, the certainty he had felt only seconds ago was flying away before his eyes. Was it Sophia playing games? Was it someone else?

He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. No. This isn’t over.

Alexander’s mind became anxious, planning the next thing to implement. But below the irritation, a flash of doubt crept in—unfamiliar and unwelcome.

He turned back to his desk, dropping into his chair with a controlled stillness that belied the storm stirring up inside him. His fingers tapped against the screen as he was meditating a reply, but then he stopped, hesitating.

His eyes narrowed. “If it’s Sophia... I’ll make sure she doesn’t back out. No one says no to me. She dare not.” He shouted, his eyes looked wicked and brutal.

Still, the message hung, its bluntness gnawing at him as he looked at the phone. For the first time in years, Alexander Blackwood felt something, he wasn’t used to uncertainty since he was welcome into the world.

………..

Jealousy clung to Julian like a second skin.

It hadn’t taken long after the company shifted into Alexander’s hands for the bitterness to settle deep in his bones. He was a stakeholder—on paper, at least. But in Alexander’s empire, paper meant nothing. Influence did. And Julian had never been satisfied with scraps. Not in this life. Not in any life.

Storming down the marble corridor, he gripped the file tight against his chest, knuckles whitening with every step. The polished floors swallowed the echo of his footsteps, but the fury in his stride announced him long before his fist slammed against the office door—loud, unapologetic, intentional.

Alexander answered him. “Come in, the door is not lock.” 

He marched inside with anger. Alexander was smart to noticed his demeanour. He suspended what he was doing, fixing his gaze on him. He leaned forward, staring at his eyebrows.

“Julian, what’s wrong?” No response. He stepped forward and dropped into the chair, slamming the file on the desk.

Alexander’s face remained unreadable. Julian’s fingers tapped restlessly. He opened his mouth, closed it, then tried again.

“What’s happening, brother?” Alexander asked, eyes flicking to the file.

Julian snapped. “Why did Father make me just a stakeholder? I deserve shares too! This is complete nonsense!”

His voice rose, sharp and relentless. Sweat gathered at his brow. His face tightened, eyes burning. Fury clung to every word.

“Shares?” Alexander’s brow lifted. “Being a stakeholder is a privilege. Don’t demand what isn’t yours, Julian.”

Julian slammed a fist on the desk, leaning in. “A privilege? We’re family—father promised me more than crumbs!”

“Silence.” Alexander’s voice sharpened, each word a snapped wire. “Father made no such promise. You’re here to embarrass me. If you can’t speak respectfully, get out of my office.”

Surprised surged through Julian. “Leave your office, for what?” He asked as he slowly stood up. “I can't believe this boy chasing me out of here!” 

“If you knew how to behave, I wouldn’t have to throw you out,” Alexander snapped, eyes cutting to his screen. “But since respect is beyond you, don’t expect patience.”

He lowered his gaze to the monitor, dismissing him without another word. The conversation was over.

“I should be going right?” He muttered, took few steps forward to leave and looked back maybe especting an answer. 

Alexander glanced up as Julian reached the door, then turned back to his screen.

Julian paused, hand on the handle. “Keep thinking you can claim everything,” he muttered. “One day, you’ll be replaced. I swear it.” He started to leave.

“Your file,” Alexander said calmly. “Don’t forget it.”

Julian turned, walked back, and grabbed the file. He lingered, eyes locked on Alexander.

“I should go, right?” he asked, voice low.

Alexander didn’t look up. “You’re still here.”

“Yes,” Alexander said without looking up.

Julian left, slamming the door behind him.

Alexander hissed, stood, and walked to the freezer to pour himself a glass of water.