Chapter 12

From the window of his office, Xander saw the city lights sparkle against the night sky. Usually, their constant light calmed him, reminding him of the world beyond his unrelenting one that never changed. But there was no solace in their shimmer tonight. He was thinking about other things, the storm brewing in his present and the ghosts of his past.

Silently, Isabella entered and saw the stiff posture of his shoulders. She had been with him all day, assisting him in addressing a problem that jeopardised all he had worked so hard to create. However, she felt that there was more—a weight that he bore alone, hidden deep.

"Xander?" she said quietly as she moved up to stand next to him. "You’ve been here a while."

He didn't look around. His image in the glass was motionless, a man of authority, but she could see a glimmer of weakness underneath. He said, "It's nothing," but his voice seemed unconvinced.

She moved in closer and put a soft hand on his arm. It's not insignificant. You can speak with me.

Silence hung between them for a moment, like an unspoken truth. Then he spoke in a voice that was nearly too low.

In a gruff voice, he said, "I didn't have much growing up." "My father was a tough guy. He saw emotion as a weakness. And I was supposed to be his ideal reflection as his son and successor.

Isabella felt pain, and it made her heart twist. Although she was aware that Xander was more than the cunning businessman he presented to the public, she wasn't prepared for him to divulge this much.

With a hint of resentment in his voice, he went on, "There was no love in our house." "Humans were tools, to be used and then discarded." Additionally, I I turned into what he desired. A man who was obsessed with power.

With eyes darker than she had ever seen and a vulnerability that left her speechless, he turned to face her.

He said, "I vowed I wouldn't be like him." But here I am, moulded by his hands, ever aiming for greater authority and control. And occasionally, I'm not sure whether I can be anything else.

Isabella felt terrible for him. She witnessed the burden he bore, the wounds from his father's demands. She cupped his cheek slowly, her touch anchoring and soft.

"Xander, you're not your father," she asserted. "You possess more than he ever did. You care, I've witnessed it. You sense it. You are so much more powerful and in control than that.

Xander let himself feel the weight of her words as he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. He let his barriers down for a time.

But the vulnerability disappeared as fast. He took a step back and put his mask back on.

He responded sharply once more, "There's no time for this." "We must prevent this assault. I cannot afford to be distracted.

In an attempt to preserve that fleeting view of the man in the armour, Isabella bit her lip in order to argue. She was wise enough not to push, though. If Xander ever opened up, it would be in his own time.

They were back in the boardroom the following morning, planning. Tension was high in the room as the crew frantically tried to contain the situation.

There was a moment of silence when Isabella's phone buzzed. The name, Vivian, made her heart skip a beat as she looked down.

She read the message, her fingers shaking, "Meet me at the café on 5th Avenue." You should listen to what I have to say.

Her heartbeat accelerated. She was aware of Vivian's slyness and manipulation. However, she had a gut feeling that this was crucial. She gave Xander a quick glance as he continued to talk to his colleagues.

Isabella left the room quietly, her thoughts racing as she walked to the café.

Isabella sat across from Vivian, who was waiting, sipping a cappuccino and smiling smugly, her eyes shining.

With a note of derision in her tone, Vivian remarked, "You're brave to meet me." "Given how much Xander despises me."

Isabella folded her arms. "Vivian, what do you want?"

Vivian smiled broadly as she leaned back. "I would like to warn you. Isabella, you're not as safe as you believe.

Isabella felt cold, but she maintained a composed demeanour. "It's not working if you're trying to frighten me."

Vivian's grin became icier. Actually, I'm attempting to assist you. In addition to having adversaries of his own, Xander lives in a perilous world. Some of them are closer than you may imagine.

Isabella felt a knot in her stomach. "What are you discussing?"

Malice glinted in Vivian's eyes. "Darling, you'll find out soon enough. However, trust can be fatal. Watch who you allow to get near to you.

Vivian then got up and left, leaving Isabella alone with a lot of questions running through her head.

Isabella sat in the penthouse later that night, thinking about what Vivian had said. Could there actually be an insider working against Xander?

Her phone rang as she was about to go to bed. It was a call—from an unknown number.

The voice on the telephone trembled a little and added, "Isabella." "You must have some information about Xander. Vivian, too. You are in danger.

Her heart pounded. "Who is this?"

The voice faltered. Someone who is concerned. Tonight, meet me at the docks. I'll go over everything.

Isabella's heart pounded. The intensity in this person's voice was obvious, even though she had no idea who they were. Whatever it was, it was greater than she could have ever guessed, and the truth was lurking in the shadows, waiting for her.