The room was thick with silence as ire watched Andre disappear through the hotel exit. Alexander stood beside her, his expression dark with disbelief. He couldn''t wrap his head around what had just happened.


    "You let him go?" His voice was low, but the sharp edge of frustration was unmistakable.


    ire didn''t respond immediately. Instead, she turned on her heel, ready to walk away. She didn''t have the patience for another argument with Alexander, not now.


    But before she could take another step, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly.


    "ire," he said, his voice quieter this time, but no less intense. "You need to tell me why."


    ire froze. Slowly, she turned back to face him, her eyes burning with unspoken irritation. "I don''t need to tell you anything," she said, her tone cold. "It''s my right to make that decision."


    Alexander''s jaw clenched. His grip tightened just enough for ire to almost wince, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of showing weakness.


    "You have to tell me," Alexander pressed, his voice dropping to a low, almost dangerous level. "I deserve to know." His eyes were hard, unwavering. "Because of your mess, my hotel got dragged into this. I think that entitles me to some damn answers."


    ire gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to snap back. As much as she hated to admit it, Alexander was right. If it weren''t for her enemies, his hotel wouldn''t have been affected at all.


    She exhaled sharply. "Fine," she muttered. "I''ll tell you."


    Alexander raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting her to cave that easily.


    "But not here," ire added, her eyes scanning the room. She gestured toward his men. "Get them out." Alexander didn''t hesitate. With a slight nod, he dismissed them. Once they were alone, he crossed his arms, his stance rigid. "Talk."


    ire took a deep breath before finally speaking.


    "I''m being targeted by a man named Eligos."


    Alexander''s expression darkened instantly.


    "I don''t know his face," she continued, keeping her voice steady. "I''ve never seen him. I have no idea why he''s after me. But what I do know is that he''s dangerous."


    Alexander remained silent, his piercing gaze never leaving her face.


    "Recently, I found out that he hired Andre," ire went on. "He''s using him like a puppet to ruin my life,


    but I have no clue why. And I don''t know why Andre is even going along with it."


    Alexander frowned, processing her words. His fingers tapped against his arm, his mind already piecing things together.


    "So this Eligos," he said slowly. "He''s been after you for a long time?"


    ire nodded. "For months."


    "And you still don''t know why?"


    "No," she admitted, frustration creeping into her voice. "That''s what I''m trying to figure out."


    Alexander exhaled, running a hand through his hair. His patience was wearing thin. "Has he ever hurt you?"


    Silence.


    That was all the answer Alexander needed.


    His fists clenched. "ire-"


    "It doesn''t matter," she interrupted, shaking her head. "What matters now is finding out why he''s doing this."


    Alexander took a slow, steady breath, trying to contain the anger bubbling inside him. ire was always like this always taking on everything alone, always refusing to let anyone in.


    "Look," he said, his voice calmer but no less serious. "If you need help—"


    "I don''t."


    Alexander narrowed his eyes. "ire."


    She pursed her lips, knowing he wouldn''t let this go.


    "I don''t need help," she repeated. "But-" she hesitated, knowing it was better to let him think he had some control over the situation. "If I do... I''ll let you know."


    It was a lie, and they both knew it.


    But Alexander let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. "Fine."


    ire nodded, taking it as her cue to leave. Without another word, she turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the marble floor.


    As soon as the door shut behind her, Christian entered the room.


    "Well?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. "How was the talk?"


    Alexander exhaled sharply. "Moreplicated than ever."


    Christian smirked. "Shocking."


    Alexander shot him a re before pulling out his phone. He dialed a familiar number and brought it to his


    ear.


    It rang twice before a deep, professional voice answered.


    "Mr. Alexander."


    "I need you to find information on a man named Andre," Alexander said without preamble. "I don''t know hisst name, but I have a picture."


    There was a short pause. Then-


    "That''s not much to work with," the PI admitted. "But send the picture over. I''ll see what I can do."


    Alexander smirked. "That''s why I pay you well."


    He ended the call and sent the


    image of Andre that ire had left


    behind Then, he poured himself a drink, trying to suppress the


    ve


    frustration still lingering in his chest.


    While waiting for his PI to call him back, Alexander headed to his office and decided to check up on the


    mess Andre cause. After all, this opening night was a mess.


    Hourster, his phone buzzed.


    Finally.


    Alexander didn''t waste time as he immediately grab his phone.


    Setting down the ss, he answered the call, his voice cool. "Talk."


    The Pl wasted no time.


    "The man''s name is Andrea Moretti.


    People usually call him Andre for short. He''s from Italy. Grew up in a small vige and has worked


    multiple jobs over the years to pay bills and cover his mother''s


    Cospital


    expenses. She''s currently undergoing chemotherapy."


    Alexander exhaled slowly, digesting the information. "And his father?" "Nothing. No records, no mentions. It''s as if he never existed."


    Alexander frowned. "Interesting. And what about his reason foring to London?"


    for


    "That''s where things get murky," the Pl admitted. I haven''t found a direct answer yet, but there''s something unusual. Andre has been in debt years creditors, bank loans, personal loans-you name it. before he left for London, single one of those debts was cleared."


    Silence filled the line.


    Alexander''s fingers tightened around the ss. "Someone paid off his debts."


    The PI didn''t need to confirm it. The implication was clear.


    Alexander''s mind immediately went to ire''s words.


    Eligos sent him.


    His grip on the ss tightened.


    "What else?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.


    "Not much, but I''ll keep digging, I''ll get back to you when I have more."


    Alexander nodded to himself. "Do that."


    He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.


    Alexander set his phone down, his fingers drumming against the desk.


    ire was right about one thing-this wasn''t a coincidence. Someone had pulled strings to get Andre to London.


    And if it really was Eligos...


    Christian, who had been listening from the doorway, raised an eyebrow. "So?"


    Alexander tossed his phone onto the desk. "Andre''s got a past," he muttered. "And someone cleaned it up for him."


    Christian''s smirk faded. "And by someone, you mean "


    "Eligos."


    Christian let out a low whistle. "Well, shit. Seems like Eligos is the mastermind."


    Alexander downed the rest of his drink in one gulp.


    This wasn''t just about ire anymore.


    Now, it was personal.


    And Alexander wasn''t the type of man to let things slide.