Chapter 120
Alex adjusted the collar of his tailored black suit,as he stepped out of the car and approached the grand building where elites have gathered for Chen”
The dinner was everything he expected it to be-pretentious, flashy, and meticulously designed to impress.
And yet, he walked in with his head held high, shoulders squared, a mask of charm already on his face.
He joined his father at the entrance, the older man barely acknowledging his presence with a nod.
“You’re late,” his father muttered, adjusting his cufflinks.
“Fashionably,” Alex replied with a small smile, brushing off the comment.
Inside, the room buzzed with conversation and clinking glasses. Soft classical music floated in the background.
Alex followed his father as they moved from group to group-shaking hands, offering empty compliments, laughing at jokes that weren’t funny.
This was the world he was born into.
“Ah, Chen Jianming,” his father whispered, nudging Alex discreetly. “You know what to do.”
Alex followed his father’s gaze and spotted the Chinese business magnate standing near the balcony, a glass of wine in hand. Mr. Chen had a calm expression and a gentle demeanor. Nothing like the sharks circling around them.
Alex walked toward him confidently, bypassing the others who tried to stop him for a quick hello.
When he reached Mr. Chen, he bowed slightly and spoke in fluent Mandarin. “Good evening, Mr. Chen. It’s an honor to finally meet you in person.”
Mr. Chen’s eyes lit up with surprise and amusement. “You speak Mandarin very well,” he replied, smiling widely.
“Thank you. I studied it during my time in Beijing. I find it helps me connect more meaningfully.”
“Most don’t bother.”
Alex chuckled. “Most don’t care. But I do.”
And that was the beginning of a smooth, engaging conversation. They spoke about the international market, potential investment opportunities, and cultural differences in consumer behavior.
Mr. Chen listened with interest, even laughing at a joke Alex told about a failed translation incident in his early years.
Within minutes, the atmosphere had shifted.
Alex wasn’t just another young businessman in a suit trying to prove himself. He was someone Mr. Chen enjoyed speaking with.
By the time they shook hands again, a meeting had been scheduled.
“Let’s speak further next week,” Mr. Chen said warmly. “I think there’s something worth exploring between our companies.”
Alex nodded. “I’ll have my assistant reach out to your office in the morning. Thank you for your time.”
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Chapter 120
“My pleasure.”
As Mr. Chen walked away, Alex turned to find his father grinning beside him.
“Well done,” his father said, raising his glass. “That meeting alone could land us a contract that covers next quarter.”
Alex didn’t smile. He simply nodded.
His mind was already moving elsewhere. The objective was complete. Mr. Chen agreed to meet. That was what he came for.
Everything else tonight?
Then he saw her.
Zde.
She walked in with her father, head held high, red lips pulled into a smirk that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She wore a crimson dress this time, the color of war. As if she had planned this like a battle.
Alex sighed internally.
He had known the confrontation was coming. There was no way to avoid it now, not with Zoe and her father walking straight to them.
Zoe’s eyes scanned the room and stopped the moment they landed on him. Their gazes locked.
It was only for a moment. But the tension was loud.
She said nothing. Just lifted her chin slightly before turning to speak to her father.
Alex exhaled.
He didn’t care what kind of drama Zoe was about to try. Not tonight.
He had no space in his head for bitterness.
He had what he came for. Now he just needed to find a way to slip out quietly without drawing his father’s attention. He wasn’t about to stand around and entertain small talk or pretend to tolerate more of Willowcrest’s elite just to maintain
appearances.
Not when all he could think about was Mia..
He glanced at his watch.
If he left now, he could make it to Casa before closing. Maybe surprise her. Hold her for a few minutes. Just to remind himself what real peace felt like.
He turned to grab a drink from a waiter passing by, using the moment to disappear into the crowd.
Time to go.
Just as he was about to make his way toward the back of the room.He turned just in time to see Zoe and her father heading in their direction, weaving effortlessly through the crowd.
Of course.
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Zoe wore that same smug look she always wore when she had something up her sleeve. Her father looked pleased to see his father, already reaching out to shake hands
“Charles!” Zoe’s father exclaimed, clapping his father on the shoulder. “You’re looking sharp as always.”
Alex stood beside his father, every muscle in his body tense. He greeted Zoe’s father politely, nodding with respect. But when it came to Zoe, he barely acknowledged her. His eyes brushed past her like she was invisible.
But he knew what was coming.
He felt it.
“So,” Zoe’s father began with a tone that was almost playful, but edged in something else. “What exactly happened between you and my daughter, Alex?”
Alex took a breath..
There it was.
He looked the man in the eye, calm. Not defensive. Not apologetic. Just steady.
Before he could respond, his father laughed again, trying to wave it off.
“Ah, leave them,” he said, his voice rich with forced amusement. “They’ll sort it out. Kids fight.”
But Zoe has plans it seems.
She smiled sweetly. “Oh, I don’t think we will this time, Mr. Blackwell.
She turned to face Alex directly. “He said he prefers a Turner to me.”
There it was. The grenade, lobbed with precision.
Alex didn’t even flinch. He met her gaze for a moment, eyes unreadable.
He knew exactly what she was doing. Saying Mia’s surname out loud. In front of his father.
A calculated strike.
He heard the shift in his father’s breath before the words came.
“Turner?” The name was spat out like something foul. Disgust dripped from every syllable. Mr. Blackwell turned sharply to his son, his jaw tightening, eyes narrowing. “The girl you’re dating now is a Turner?”
Alex didn’t blink. “Yes.”
Zoe tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Yes, Mr. Blackwell. The sister to Ethan Turner.”
A sharp silence followed.
His father stared at him, expression hardening with every passing second. The warmth he had forced moments ago had vanished. The tension between them coiled like a snake, ready to strike.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Zoe’s father said quickly, laughter returning to his voice as he tried to smooth things over. “Let’s not spoil the mood, shall we?”
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Chapter 120
But it was already ruined. The damage was done. Zoe had made sure of that.
Alex knew exactly how this would unfold. He could already see the fury building behind his father’s calm mask.
He wasn’t going to stand there and pretend.
“I’m going to head out first,” Alex said quietly, stepping back.
His father didn’t respond. Not a word.
He turned and walked away, not looking back.
The moment he stepped outside. He unbuttoned his jacket, taking in a breath that filled his chest and steadied his racing heart.
He wasn’t afraid…. At Least not for himself.
As he slipped into his car and started the engine, his mind wasn’t on his father or Zoe or anyone else in that room.
It was on his mother. His brother.
Because if his father planned to use this as a weapon, to lash out and punish him, Alex knew exactly who would be in the
crossfire.
And he couldn’t let that happen.
Not this time.
A storm was coming.
And Alex Blackwell was going to face it head-on.
