Chapter 24 Alexander Beats Up Lucas
The black car cruised out of Bright Heal Hospital like it owned the place.
"That chick you saw earlier? Not my girlfriend," Alexander said.
Catherine just stared out the window, not saying a word.
"She's my secretary."
Still nothing from Catherine.
'Why should I care?'
Being one of the big shots on the dark web, it’s no surprise Alexander’s got a bunch of secretaries in the Shadow Syndicate. Plus, that secretary looked like she knew her stuff, probably a real pro.
"Good to know," Catherine finally said.
Alexander kept going, "Women in the workplace bring something special to the table, so I’ve hired quite a few."
Catherine nodded, "Totally. My brother’s company is full of women too. He says nobody falls for their boss at work. It’s all about character and skills, not gender."
Alexander chuckled, "Your brother and I are on the same page."
"Guys can fall for their boss too. Gender’s got nothing to do with it," Catherine added.
Alexander went quiet.
'That’s not what I meant!'
He scratched his nose, trying to hide the awkward smile creeping up, and said, "You must’ve heard about Ethan coming into town."
"Yeah, Ethan’s probably here to meet Eli," she replied.
As the head honcho of the Abyssal Blades, Ethan decided to meet Eli from Sunhaven Isles right here in Imperia City of Stellara!
"What’s your take?" he asked.
Catherine shot him a cool glance, "Eli wants the Stellara market, and Ethan wants to take us out. It’s just a temporary team-up."
Both Ethan and Eli, big names on the dark web, were always scheming.
When Alexander heard her say "us," a sly smile spread across his face, a warm feeling bubbling up inside him.
Catherine noticed his smile and rolled her eyes.
'Did Nightfall get a head injury on some mission? I just said Ethan and Eli are teaming up to take us down, and he’s grinning like an idiot? Maybe I should get him checked out at Bright Heal Hospital’s neurology department.'
The Evergreen Group, President's Office.
Charles, looking sharp in his suit and tie, sat at his desk. Not a wrinkle on his shirt, and his chiseled, handsome face had that upper-class vibe. Every move he made screamed sophistication.
His assistant, all business in her professional attire, stood by his side and said, "Mr. Windsor, we’ve dug up all of Catherine’s history with the Smith family."
"Spill."
"Catherine had a rough time with the Smiths. Her monthly allowance was supposed to be $2,000, but they kept docking it. Last year, she only got $5,000 total and almost had to pay her own tuition. Meanwhile, Clara, the Smiths' golden child, got over $5,000 a month and raked in $100,000 last year, all thanks to Celeste."
Charles rubbed his temples, trying to keep his cool, "Go on."
"Catherine was engaged to Lucas from the Johnson family in Serenitia City, but Lucas is a total player. The Smiths wanted Clara to marry Lucas, so they kicked Catherine out. When Marcus sent someone to pick her up, she got humiliated. Yesterday, Catherine was kidnapped on orders from Celeste and Clara. They wanted to sell her off to some remote place, hoping she’d never come back."
The assistant was shaking in her boots.
'This family is pure evil!'
Charles almost snapped his pen in half.
"Damn the Smith family! Even if they were broke, it wouldn’t matter, but to treat Catherine like this is unforgivable!"
Charles was always the picture of calm and elegance, and it was the first time the assistant had seen him this mad.
"Mr. Windsor, Nolan Dixon from Azurewave Group wants to talk business tonight at X Bar. Also, that Lucas guy will be there too," the assistant said.
Charles sneered, "Tell Nolan I'll be there soon."
"Got it."
---
X Bar.
The dance floor was a sea of bodies. As soon as Catherine walked in, she felt people purposely bumping into her.
Alexander grabbed her hand, pulling her close. His tall frame cast a shadow over her.
"Back off, she's with me."
The guys trying to hit on her saw Alexander's icy glare and backed off real quick.
Catherine found herself pressed against Alexander's chest, his shirt smelling faintly of sandalwood. Her face flushed.
It was the first time she’d been this close to a guy. She held her breath, about to pull away, but Alexander's hand pressed against her back.
"Ethan's over there."
He leaned in close, his deep voice tinged with a mix of joy and intimacy, dripping with magnetic charm.
Catherine's face turned even redder. She stiffened and looked where Alexander pointed, spotting Ethan at a booth.
A few years back, Catherine had crossed paths with Ethan, so she recognized him. The unfamiliar guy at the booth must be Eli from Sunhaven Isles!
Alexander patted her back, making it look like they were hugging.
"Ethan's got thirty assassins, and Eli's got over fifty bodyguards. There might be more drug lords hiding around." Catherine quickly did the math.
Alexander was impressed she could instantly gauge their numbers.
She smelled nice, making him reluctant to let go.
"Sorry for the sudden move, but we need to blend in to avoid catching Eli and Ethan's attention."
Catherine stayed silent.
'This disguise is so unnecessary!'
At a booth, Lucas scanned the dance floor, looking for his next target.
"Lucas, isn't that your fiancée?"
Someone nudged him, pointing to Catherine and Alexander hugging at the edge of the dance floor.
The guy in the black shirt was whispering to the girl in his arms. Under the dim lights, Catherine looked stunning.
Lucas's eyes lit up!
But he sneered, "My fiancée is Clara, the real daughter of the Smiths. Catherine's just a fake. She always turned me down, and now she's working as a bar girl."
Despite his words, Lucas's feet moved towards Catherine and Alexander.
Lucas forced a greasy smile.
"Catherine, long time no see. I've been thinking about you every day!"
Catherine rolled her eyes.
'X Bar isn't Charles's place, so it's no surprise Lucas got in.'
"Lucas? If you're sick, go to a mental hospital."
"Catherine, how did you end up here? Even though I can't marry you, I can still make you my mistress."
Lucas thought he was being generous, looking all smug.
Alexander's smile vanished. He looked down at Catherine and said, "Hold on a sec."
Lucas didn't even notice Alexander, assuming he was just another client.
Alexander calmly rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms, and punched Lucas square in the face!
Like a storm, punches rained down, and Lucas felt his teeth shatter!
"Do you know who I am?"
Shiny leather shoes pressed down on Lucas's face, Alexander grinding hard, his voice cold as ice.
"Just a nobody."
He waved his hand, and someone rushed out from the shadows, dragging the half-dead Lucas away like a rag doll.
Such scenes were common in the bar, and the dim lighting kept most people from noticing Lucas getting beat up.
Catherine stayed silent.
Alexander turned around, his eyes still burning with anger. He looked at Catherine, his voice filled with regret, and slowly said something.
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