Chapter 259 A False Alarm
The surveillance footage showed that about eight minutes before Alexander showed up, Victoria was heading towards the restroom. But just a few steps away, she stopped, took a phone call, and then turned around and left.
She then made her way to the elevator and hit the button for the sixteenth floor.
Dylan quickly called Alexander while heading out. "Mr. Howard, Mrs. Howard went up to the sixteenth floor and then headed to the rooftop."
Garrett had just stepped out, planning to grab a smoke, when he spotted Alexander nearby, looking all serious and storming towards the elevator with long, hurried strides.
Garrett squinted a bit. 'What's the rush? Wasn't Alexander going to find Victoria in the restroom?'
Garrett called out a few times, but Alexander ignored him.
By the time Garrett reached the elevator, Alexander was already on his way up.
Not long after, Kimberly, Marcus, and Quentin rushed over, calling out together, "Mr. Martinez!"
Garrett frowned. "What's going on?"
"Mr. Howard couldn't find Mrs. Howard, checked the surveillance, and saw she went to the rooftop alone," Marcus quickly explained.
Hotel Rooftop.
In the darkness, the light revealed two figures standing by the railing, one tall and one short.
The rooftop of the Golden Crown Hotel really lived up to its hype as the best spot to take in the night view of Rihegde.
Below, the streetlights looked like sparkling gems in the darkness, winding endlessly, absolutely stunning.
Victoria had gotten a phone call twenty minutes earlier and came up there.
"When did you get here?" She asked the towering man in front of her, gazing at the breathtaking night view, soaking in the beauty of the moment.
Arnold Sinclair looked down at her, his eyes filled with love and tenderness, a faint smile on his lips. "Last night."
"How is she?" Victoria turned her gaze back to Arnold, looking up slightly at his handsome, tall figure.
The bright light in the dark night highlighted his chiseled features, thick eyebrows, high nose bridge, and delicate thin lips, all exuding his nobility.
Arnold's lips curved into a happy smile as he replied, "She's been busy every day figuring out how to make more flavors of chocolate for you. She's very happy and doing great."
Victoria chuckled, "That's good."
Before meeting Victoria, Chloe's only hobby was clinging to Arnold.
Since meeting Victoria, Chloe's only hobby had been creating various delicious chocolates for Victoria.
"She knew I was coming to Rihegde and wanted to come along. She sorely misses you." Arnold paused, his face filled with happiness and affection. "But she's pregnant, so I didn't bring her."
Given their special status, traveling together was too risky, and he didn't want to take that chance.
Victoria was slightly stunned, then a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes. "What?"
"Chloe is two months pregnant. We originally planned to have the wedding in March next year, but now she doesn't want to. She said she wants to wait until after the baby is born," Arnold explained.
Victoria understood Chloe well. If it were her, she wouldn't want to wear a wedding dress with a big belly either.
"Vicky, what about you?" Arnold suddenly asked, raising his eyebrows slightly, "When are you having your wedding?"
Victoria was slightly taken aback and asked in return, "Did Bryan tell you?"
Victoria hadn't told anyone about it, except for being discovered by Bryan last time.
Arnold responded with a soft nod.
She pressed her red lips together, then gently bit them, a hint of apology in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep it from you all, I..."
Before she could finish, Arnold interrupted her, "No need to apologize to me, Vicky. No one will blame you. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
Victoria lowered her head a bit, staying quiet. In fact, she’d always been scared to reach out to them.
Arnold could tell she was thinking about that incident again. He sighed, gently ruffled her hair, and softly asked, "Is he good to you?"
Victoria nodded without a second thought. "He's very good to me."
Before meeting her, Arnold had Thomas dig into Alexander's background.
Alexander was definitely impressive. His skills and abilities matched up with any of them, and he could definitely protect Victoria. But what mattered most was if he treated her right. If he didn’t, all the skills in the world wouldn’t matter.
Arnold said softly, "You're not alone. You’ve got us, okay?"
Arnold had only ever been gentle to two people in his life: Chloe and Victoria.
Chloe was the woman he wanted to love forever. He saw Victoria as his sister and wanted to protect her at all costs.
In reality, they weren’t related by blood. They met by chance, and Victoria just happened to be the youngest among them, yet also the most mature.
Alexander, who had rushed to the rooftop, saw them standing close together.
Arnold was looking at Victoria with a gentle expression.
Both of them were super perceptive. As soon as Alexander came up, they instinctively turned their heads in sync towards the entrance just a few steps away.
Under the light, Alexander's stern face came into view. His features were flawless. His deep eyes filled with a chilling coldness, and a hint of tension and fear that hadn’t yet faded, along with a sense of relief upon seeing her safe and sound.
Slightly stunned at Alexander's abrupt appearance, Victoria didn't feel guilty or ashamed because she could catch from his look his obscure nervousness along with a hint of apprehension about her missing.
Alexander stood there, unmoving.
Garrett and the others, at his heels, heard Alexander's heavy voice say, "Come here."
Victoria obediently walked over. Before she could stand firmly in front of him, she was pulled into his arms.
Seeing Victoria safe and sound, the people behind them all felt relief. It was just a false alarm.
Alexander held her tightly, his chin resting on the crown of her head. His arms slowly tightened, as if only by doing so could he feel her presence.
Victoria felt like her waist was about to be crushed.
With her face pressed against his burning chest, she listened to his strong, powerful heartbeat.
Her slender arms gently wrapped around his waist.
"I'm here. I'm fine," she softly comforted him, lying against his chest.
After a long while, Alexander loosened his grip slightly and put some distance between them.
Before she could react, Alexander's cool lips pressed against hers.
Alexander's kiss started with urgency and dominance, as if only by doing so could he dispel the deep-seated fear of something happening to her.
She tilted her head back, doing her best to cooperate and soothe him.
The dominant kiss gradually turned gentle. He kissed her lips softly, from shallow to deep, like she was a precious treasure he held in his hands.
Indeed, to Alexander, Victoria was more precious than any rare gem.
Their engrossed kiss left the people around them slightly blushed.
Dylan and the others instinctively turned their backs, while Garrett boldly watched, calmly taking out his phone to record a fifteen-second video of the kissing couple, which he then sent to the group chat.
In the banquet hall, Caleb was about to take out his phone to ask where they were when he saw Garrett's video and clicked to watch it.
Caleb: [Holy crap!]
Caleb: [Weren't you going for a smoke? Why are you spying?]
Caleb: [Aren't you afraid Alexander will beat you up later?]
Caleb: [Alexander looks like he wants to have sex with Victoria right there!]
Caleb: [Garrett, where are they? I want to see this in person!]