Chapter 4

THE WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT SCANDAL 

The large floor-to-ceiling windows of Alexander Blackwood’s office shaped the sprawling city skyline, a reflection of his supremacy. Yet, at this moment, he stood with his back to the room,one hand on the pocket,the other touching the frame of the window. His jaw tightens as he re-echoes the rejection message in his mind he has received earlier.

“The offer was not accepted, it was a mistake.”

The words echoed like a taunt, each one a disrespect to his power. Alexander didn’t do rejection—not in business, not in life, and certainly not in matters of control of everything.

“She thinks she can refuse me?” He muttered to himself, his voice low but very sharp and dominating.His bold and brutal eyes, showing in the reflection of the glass, clouded with determination.

Moments later, the office door to his office creaked open, interrupting his thoughts. Alexander barked, without turning to the person, “What is it?” 

“It's done,” a voice replied, clipped and professional but sound with tension.

Alexander turned, his quick and smart gaze landing on Mark,his most trusted advisor and assistant. Mark stood stiffly by the door, his eyes full of carefulness yet defiant.

“The fake announcement?” Alexander asked, though he already knew the answer.

Mark nodded, stepping forward “It's all over the media house now. Every Major media outlet is carrying the news. Billionaire Blackwood to wed Sophia Carter. It has gone viral, in fact, to the world also.”

Alexander's lips curved Into slow, predatory smile “Good”

Mark hesitated,then added, “But there is a problem.”

The simple faded. Alexander was anxious to know what the problem was all about. He arched a brow, giving him a serious gaze for him to continue.

“Sophia hasn't accepted the arrangement yet”, Mark said bluntly. “The media already running and reporting the story very quick around,and if she denies it publicly–”

“She won't”, Alexander interrupted,darting his gaze toward somewhere else.

“Mark didn't relent but went on. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Alex. This could blow up in your face” He spoke without any iota of respect. “If she calls you out, it’s not just your reputation at stake. It’s hers, too. People will see her as some desperate woman you’re using for—”

“Enough”.

Alexander's voice blew up the room. Mark froze, his mouth clamping shut as Alexander moved slowly, dipped his two hands in his pocket, moved majestically to his desk.

Sinking into his chair slowly, he leaned back,his finger steepled in front of him. His expression can not be explained,but his dark eyes bored Mark.

“You forget your place,” Alexander said,his voice soft but dangerous.

Mark swallowed hard, realizing he had passed beyond his boundaries. “I didn't mean to disrespect you, sir,” he said, softening his tone. “I’m just stressing out the risks. If Sophia doesn’t cooperate—”

“She will,” Alexander said, leaning forward. His voice lowered, projecting confidence. “Sophia has no choice. Her family’s crumbling, her mother is dying with deadly disease, and she has a younger brother relying on her to further her education. She’ll come around, She didn't get any choice out of that situation. This is just... resistance.”  

Mark frowned but didn’t argue. “And if she doesn’t?”

Alexander chucked, his gaze brutal. “Then I’ll make her bend to my will. Everyone has a breaking point, Mark. I’ll find hers.” He insisted.

Mark admitted uncomfortably. “Understood,” he said, his voice below a whisper now.

Alexander nodded his head, studying Mark with a strange intensity. “Do you doubt me, Mark?”

Mark shook his head quickly. “No, sir. Of course not. Your power and influence in this city and country cannot be underrated”

“Good,” Alexander said, his tone calming. “Because doubt is weakness. And weakness has no place here.”

Mark nodded, returning back toward the door. “I’ll keep monitoring it as this situation goes.”

“Do that! I trust you for that, Mark” Alexander said, waving him off. “, Now, you are just talking.”

Mark waited for a moment, his unreadable face reflecting a thought inside him, but the sharp look Alexander gave him silenced whatever thought he had. Without another word, he turned and left the office, banging the door behind him without politeness.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled only with the faint hum of the city below.

Alexander leaned back in his chair,his gaze shifting to the headlines in his laptop screen, The article all showcase the picture of him besides Sophia's– a carefully chosen picture of her showing her vulnerability yet graceful.

“Rejection,” he muttered to himself, a bitter laugh broke out from his lips. “She thinks she has a choice on her own. A poor person is not free, but subject to a rich person's authority.” 

He stood abruptly,pacing the room with long, deliberate strides. His reflection in the glass seemed to make jest of him, reminding him of the rare moments he had been denied something he ever wanted.

But then, his lips curved Into a sly smile.

“They will always come around,” he said, more to himself describing his status-power,wealth and influence.

“Sophia will bend, just like the rest of them.”

Outside the office, Mark hangs around,near the door, his mind racing. He had seen Alexander like this before—greedy, crazily overambitious, and dangerously overconfident. But this time, there was something slightly different, something more personal than the usual.

Back inside, He moved to his desk,picked up his phone. He scrolled through his contacts but didn't dial. He began to stare through the screen, unknown on what to do but his mind is storming with potential diverse strategies.

Then, his phone beeped twice. A new text message came in.

He opened it, his lips curved Into a pleasing smile, expecting another business update or congratulatory messages about the engagement, 

Instead,it reads: “The offer is not accepted,It was a mistake.”

Alexander froze,the words sinking in. The room seems to be colder than before as he re-read the text message. Many series of questions started to run inside his mind.

Was it from Sophia? Or had someone else dared to confront him?

The question remained hanging in his mind. His heart pounded hard, though he won't admit it was from anything other than frustration from the anonymous message. He darted his eyes to the text message to check the phone contact and went ahead for the earlier message. He found out they are different phone numbers.

Dropping the phone on his desk,he turned back to the window as if it was his saviour and fortress whenever he was in uncertainty.

His hands braced against the glass. 

“She will come around”, he muttered,though the certainty in his voice wavered so slightly.

For the first time in a while, Alexander Blackwood felt the unfamiliar sting of uncertainty. In the midst of all these anonymous messages, there is certainty in his heart that coupled with his family ever increasing fame,wealth, power no individual can reject his offer. No, not one, not to talk of Sophia vulnerability that requires urgent financial aid.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in,” he said, his voice cool.

Mark entered,his usual composed demeanour masking his nervousness. He had already perceived the mood in the tone of his Boss earlier, but he knew better than to talk about it.

“Sir,” Mark began, closing the door behind him, “I just want to remind you about the picnic today. It is all set as you requested.”

Alexander's eyes were fixed on the screen of his phone,on the desk.

“We will get to that,” he said curtly. “Firstly, I need to know— Or do you know who is sending me those messages?”

Mark frowned, caught with surprise and uncertainty.

Alexander picked up the phone and tossed it onto the desk. “I've been receiving text messages, the same irritating sentences, and a message of rejection. Someone thinks they can play games with me.”

Mark moved toward the desk,looked into the phone screen. He darted his gaze to his Boss, waiting before speaking. “Could it be……Sophia?”

Alexander scoffed,a smirking laugh escaping his lips. “She doesn't have the nerve to disturb me like this. Even if she wants to reject my offer, she will do it very quietly, not texting me messages like this.”

“Perhaps it’s her method of setting up courage,” Mark suggested cautiously. “She doesn’t look like someone who’s entirely sure of herself. Could be her.”

Alexander turned a fierce gaze to Mark.

“You're full of assumptions today, aren't you?” He raised his voice, sounded brutal.

“I’m just suggesting who it may be Sir.” Mark raised his hands, showing a gesture of lowliness and surrender.

Alexander leaned forward, clasping his hand together. “If it is her, she'll regret it. And if it isn't……” He let the sentence hang.

Mark shifted on his feet, uncomfortable with Alexander overambitious. He decided to turn the main conversation back on track, he cleared his throat. “Sir, the picnic is ready. Your schedule is very tight today, and you decided on making time for it.”

Alexander’s mood became clear, though his irritation still lingered. He stood, adjusting his suit jacket with a practiced motion. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Mark nodded and opened the door, stepping aside as Alexander walked out, he followed him and bang the door. The air of authority Alexander had made everyone in the corridor stopped as they passed him, nodding respectfully.

By the time they got to the building’s private exit, a sleek black SUV was waiting for them. Two bodyguards stood by the vehicle, with sharp alertness.

“Everything is secure,” one of them said, opening the car door for him.

Alexander slid into the backseat, his expression is unexplainable. Mark followed, sitting beside him, although he couldn't interfere into the tension in the mind of his boss.

As the car began to move, Mark looked at his boss, doubting whether to speak. He eventually broke the silence. “Do you want me start working into the messages issues, sir? It might help settle this before it becomes a bigger problem for you.”

Alexander’s gaze darted to the window, watching the city blur past. “No. Not yet.” His voice, calm and sharp.

Mark nodded, he didn’t admit entirely. He knew better than to raise the issue any further.

The car started moving with a fast speed in silence, save for the faint hum of the car engine. Alexander’s phone beeped twice again, and his jaw tightened. He didn’t bother to check the message.

Mark perceived and sighed softly. “Sir, if you keep ignoring it, It will continue to create more tension for you.”

Alexander finally turned to Mark, his face expressing his anger. “That’s the difference between you and me,” He barked at him. “Mark,you think addressing every nuisance will solve the problem. I usually wait for the right moment to strike.” He grabbed Mark’s ear and squeezed it.

Mark held his gaze for a moment before looking away. “As you say, sir.” He bowed and focused his eyes to the window, scanning the city landscape.

The car pulled to a stop unexpectedly at the private estate where the picnic had been arranged. The bodyguards stepped out first, surveying the area before opening the doors for Alexander and Mark.

As Alexander came out, he adjusted his cufflinks. The picturesque scene before them—a perfectly manicured lawn, elegant seating arrangements, and a spread of gourmet food, full of favourite aroma—seemed almost against the turmoil stirry in his mind.

Mark followed closely. He knew Alexander well enough to notoced when something was truly troubling him. And today, those texts had clearly caused a distraction for the atmosphere of the picnic.

“Let’s get this over with,” Alexander said, his tone

low as he strode toward the setup, smiling in admiration of the picnic setup. Mark perceiving the sudden change of mood, quickly adapted, also smiled.