Chapter 14

“Bring her back, Grandma.”

“No, she’ll return after a few days. For now, she needs to rest at the family residence,” Grandma Helen responded firmly, her tone unyielding.

“I said no,” Alexanders’s voice grew colder, sharper. “She’s not staying there. Send her back to my house.”

“No,” Grandma Helen retorted, her voice carrying a finality that left no room for argument. Before Alexander could protest further, the line went dead.

Beep!

Alexander clenched his jaw as the call disconnected, his frustration palpable. He glanced at James, who was already staring at him with a dark, unreadable expression.

“I apologize for not informing you sooner, boss. Please forgive me,” James stammered, knowing he was walking on thin ice.

“No bonuses for the next year,” Alexander stated coldly as he entered his office and slammed the door behind him.

James froze, his heart sinking. The weight of the punishment was crushing—first six months of lost bonuses, now a full year, all within two weeks. He barely held back the tears threatening to spill over.

Other employees who had overheard the conversation exchanged sympathetic glances, some envying his position as the boss’s assistant, while others pitied him for constantly being in the line of fire.

In the car, as the city lights faded into the distance, Grandma Helen hung up the phone with a victorious smile. For the first time, she had won a battle against her stubborn grandson. She glanced at Lilly, who was still sound asleep on the other side of the car.

Taking Lilly to the family residence wasn’t just about ensuring her rest—it was about getting to know her better, about bonding. She needed to give Lilly the tools to secure her place in Alexander’s life, whether he liked it or not. She was determined to make this marriage last, to see her grandson find happiness, even if it had to be forced upon him.

Lilly stirred, waking up slowly as she noticed the surroundings had changed. They were no longer in the bustling city center. She turned to Grandma Helen, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

“Grandma, where are we going?”

“To the Alexander family residence, dear. I told you I’d bring you home with me for a few days. Just relax, we’ll be there soon.”

Lilly nodded, her gaze drifting to the scarves in her lap. The precious scarves that held so many memories, so much pain.

Grandma Helen noticed. “Those scarves mean a lot to you, don’t they?”

“Yes,” Lilly replied softly, her voice thick with emotion. “They’re all I have left of my sisters.”

Grandma Helen’s gaze softened, understanding the depth of Lilly’s attachment. “They’re beautiful, just like you, dear.”

When they finally arrived at the Alexander family mansion, Lilly was struck by its grandeur. The mansion was old but carried an air of timeless wealth and elegance. Every detail spoke of history, of a legacy that demanded respect.

“Welcome back, Ma’am,” Camila greeted Grandma Helen with a bow, before turning to Lilly with a warm smile. “Welcome, Miss Lilly.”

“Thank you, Camila. Is the room ready? And her bath?”

“Yes, Ma’am, everything is prepared.”

Grandma Helen turned to Lilly with a smile. “Follow Camila; she’ll show you to your room. Take a long bath and rest. Dinner will be ready shortly.”

Lilly smiled back, grateful for the kindness. She followed Camila upstairs, surprised to find herself in a room that was clearly masculine in design. The walk-in closet was filled with clothes that belonged to Alexander. Her heart skipped a beat—this was his old room. She ran her fingers over the spines of the books on the shelf, imagining Alexander as a young boy, growing into the man he was now.

After a relaxing bath, Lilly rested for a couple of hours until Camila came to escort her to dinner. The meal was lavish, with Grandma Helen insisting that Lilly try every dish. Afterward, they took a leisurely walk in the garden, the flowers glowing under the moonlight.

“It’s so beautiful here, Grandma. Thank you for bringing me,” Lilly said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.

“I knew you’d love it here,” Grandma Helen replied with a smile. “Let’s sit and talk for a bit before bed.”

They sat on a terrace overlooking the garden, the night air cool and fragrant.

“What would you like to drink?” Grandma Helen began, her voice warm and inviting. “When I first met you, I knew you were special. My instincts rarely fail me. There’s something about you, Lilly, that’s different. I see strength in you, a strength that will serve you well in this family.”

Lilly smiled, feeling a surge of affection for the older woman. For the first time, she didn’t feel the need to hide or protect herself from judgment. Grandma Helen’s words were comforting, a reassurance that she wasn’t alone in this strange new world.

“And I’m certain Sandra will like you too.”

Lilly’s brow furrowed. “Sandra? Who’s Sandra?”

“Alexander’s sister,” Grandma Helen explained. “He persuaded us to adopt her after she lost her parents in an accident. He’s very protective of her. She’s studying abroad now, but you’ll meet her soon.”

Lilly nodded, feeling a pang of sadness that Alexander had never mentioned Sandra. They still had so much to learn about each other, so many walls to break down.

“He only married you because of the stipulations in his grandfather’s will,” Grandma Helen continued, her tone turning more serious. “But I hope that in time, things will change for the better. For both of you.”

Lilly nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her thoughts. She wanted things to improve, wanted to build something real with Alexander, but she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

As they continued to talk, Lilly learned more about Alexander—his favorite foods, his childhood, the things that made him smile. By the time they retired for the night, she felt like she had taken a small step closer to understanding the man she had married.

************
Back at Alexander's company, one of the richest and most famous business locations in Aurora city, a bustling environment with skyscrapers, towers, and many tourist attractions. Seven years ago, this location was rural until Alexander transformed it, building one of the tallest buildings—ONXY Corporation, a tourist magnet. He also built malls, parks, and other recreational facilities under his company name, including ONXY Mall, ONXY Park, ONXY Hotel, Gallery, and Museum.
His extensive development and infrastructure growth attracted other business owners, making it the wealthiest business area in Aurora city. People were eager to establish their businesses there.
Alexander's rapid ascent from a young age had been a source of inspiration for young entrepreneurs and the envy of peers who had not achieved half of what he had and relied solely on family wealth, something Alexander never depended on.

at ONXY Corporation, Alexander sat in his imposing office on the 88th floor, the city lights glittering outside. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more frustrating than the last.

“Repeat what you just said,” he demanded, his voice ice-cold.

James swallowed hard, his nerves fraying under the intensity of Alexander’s gaze. “The chauffeur called… Grandma Helen refused to let Miss Evans return home. She said she would bring her back herself… tomorrow evening.”

“Tomorrow evening?” Alexander’s frown deepened, the lines on his forehead growing more pronounced.

“Yes, boss… which means she’ll be staying there for three days,” James added hesitantly.

Alexander clenched his fists, his mind racing. “Did you find out who the maid is that’s been feeding information to my grandmother?”

“Yes, boss,” James replied quickly, sensing the storm brewing.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed, fury simmering beneath his calm exterior. It was unthinkable that his own grandmother had a spy in his house, someone reporting every detail of his life.

“Bring her here. Now,” he ordered, his voice low and menacing.

James hurried out, returning moments later with Jackie, Alexander’s chief bodyguard, who dragged a young woman into the office. She fell to the floor, trembling with fear.

“Please, young master, I had no choice!” she cried, her voice shaking.

Alexander stared at her, his gaze like a winter storm. “You want forgiveness? Fine. But on one condition.”

“I’ll do anything, please forgive me,” the maid pleaded desperately.

“Since you’re so skilled at spying, you’ll return to the old mansion. You’ll watch Miss Evans, and you’ll report to me immediately if she leaves the house.”

The maid nodded fervently, relief flooding her face. “Yes, young master, I’ll do as you say.”

Alexander turned away, dismissing her without another word. His thoughts were already elsewhere, focused on the battle brewing between him and his grandmother. He couldn’t afford to lose control—not now, not ever. And Lilly… she was a wild card he hadn’t anticipated. He needed to keep her close, to understand her, to decide whether she was an ally or a threat.

But for now, he needed to play the game carefully. Very carefully.