2024-03-18 06:58:41After persistent persuasion from Seraphina, Alexander finally caved in and agreed to attend the Diamond Banquet. It was an invitation he hadn’t expected and, frankly, didn’t want. But with Seraphina’s insistence and curiosity gnawing at him about why Jacob Harrington, the King of Diamonds himself, would invite him, Alexander found himself in a tailored suit, entering the grand hall alone.
The entrance was a showcase of opulence, designed to awe even the wealthiest of guests. Twin marble staircases, draped with fresh white lilies and roses, spiraled upward, leading to intricately carved double doors flanked by torches held in ornate brass sconces. The soft hum of a string quartet filled the air, mingling with the laughter and murmured conversations of the elite. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow across the room and creating a labyrinth of light on the polished marble floors. As Alexander stepped into the banquet hall, he felt a pang of discomfort. The extravagant surroundings and the wealth-laden guests brought back memories from a past life he’d tried hard to forget. Geoffrey’s unexpected appearance had already stirred up emotions he’d buried long ago, and now, surrounded by the symbols of a world he’d once been part of, those memories flooded back with unrelenting force. He moved cautiously through the hall, painfully aware of the stares, the whispered remarks, the mocking glances cast in his direction. To them, he was nothing more than the “live-in son-in-law” of the Lockwood family—a title that elicited disdain and pity in equal measure. “Hey there,” a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see a young woman smiling at him. “Hi,” he replied, grateful for a friendly face amidst the hostility. “Is this your first time at one of the King’s parties?” she asked with a polite smile. “Is it that obvious?” Alexander replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. The woman laughed. “I’m Elaine Wellstone, princess of the Wellstone Company,” she said, extending her hand. Her smile was bright, her manner friendly, yet Alexander sensed a touch of guarded curiosity in her gaze. “Wellstone Company?” he replied, raising an eyebrow. He knew of the company’s massive influence in various industries, with a net worth in the billions. “Impressive.” “And you are?” she asked expectantly, waiting for him to flaunt his background. “Alexander Chase,” he simply said Elaine’s smile faltered. “Just…. Alexander Chase?” “Is that a problem?” he asked, amused. “Well...at events like these, you don’t just introduce yourself. You mention your family, your wealth, your lineage,” she explained, giving him a slightly puzzled look. Alexander chuckled, feeling a spark of defiance. “Well, in that case, I’m worth exactly zero dollars. Not a penny to my name.” Elaine desperately hoped it was indeed a joke. "Ha-ha, that's a joke, right?" she nervously laughed. But Alexander gave no countering response. Elaine’s laughter died, and her face twisted into a look of repulsion. “You’re joking, right?” “No,” he replied, still amused. “I’m a live-in son-in-law with no fortune of my own.” The disgust in her eyes was unmistakable. “A live-in son-in-law?” she repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. Without a second thought, she dumped the contents of her wine glass over his shirt. “What the hell, Elaine?!” Alexander exclaimed, wiping the liquid seeping into his clothes. “Don’t ever dare speak my name with that vile mouth of yours,” she hissed, looking down on him with utter contempt before storming away. As she left, Alexander caught snippets of the whispers that erupted around him. “Did she really just talk to him? A live-in son-in-law?” “How did he even get invited to this event?” “Isn’t he the Lockwood family’s pathetic son-in-law? Disgusting.” Alexander clenched his jaw, the humiliation swelling within him. He kept his head high, refusing to let them see how deeply their words cut. Alexander felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he recalled a quote he once read: "In this world, strength defines a person. And indeed, strength was often equated with wealth. Those without strength are crushed." he mumbled silently, to himself, whilst overhearing the disdainful remarks of the other guests. Pushing down his anger, he made his way to the bar. “One glass of vodka,” he asked, needing something to numb the bitter taste of resentment. Before he could take a sip, a man slid into the seat next to him, flanked by five others who radiated an unmistakable air of intimidation. The man looked at Alexander with a self-satisfied smirk, as if he’d won some unspoken game. “Alexander Chase. Who would’ve thought I’d run into you here,” the man said. Alexander turned to him, his expression unreadable. “And you are?” “Julian Monroe,” the man said, flashing a predatory grin. “Heir to the Monroe family.” “Good for you,” Alexander replied sarcastically, turning his gaze back to his drink, uninterested. Julian’s smirk widened. “Oh, it will be good. Especially once you sign this.” He slid a document across the bar toward Alexander. Alexander glanced at the papers, his eyes narrowing as he read. “What is this?” “It’s simple,” Julian said, his tone smug. “Divorce Seraphina Lockwood, and let me marry her. I’ll reward you generously for your trouble.” Alexander stared at him, incredulous. The audacity—Julian wanted to buy him off? To pay him to abandon his wife? “You must be drunk if you think I’d even consider this,” Alexander replied, his voice ice-cold. Julian chuckled, unfazed. “Come on. We both know this is inevitable. Do you really think a man like you deserves a woman like Seraphina? A pauper playing house in the Lockwood family mansion?” “We’re done here,” Alexander said, standing to leave. But Julian’s men stepped forward, blocking his path. “We’re not done until I say we’re done,” Julian said, sipping his drink nonchalantly. Alexander’s jaw tightened. “And what exactly do you think you’re going to accomplish here, Julian?” Julian leaned in, his voice a low whisper. “This doesn’t have to get ugly. Just sign the papers. I’ll make sure Seraphina signs her share. Then, you get a handsome payout, and I get to marry her. You’ll be a rich man, Alexander. Five million, ten million—name your price.” Alexander’s eyes burned with defiance. “And what makes you so sure Seraphina would even consider marrying you?” Julian sneered. “Why wouldn’t she? And frankly, it’s not up to her. I’ve already arranged everything with her mother. All that’s left is for you to sign the papers and stop asking questions that don’t concern you.” Alexander’s fists clenched. “And if I don’t?” Julian’s smirk turned dangerous. He tapped the bar twice, and his men adjusted their coats, revealing weapons—brass knuckles, batons, the faint glint of concealed blades. “Then we’ll take this conversation outside,” Julian replied with a menacing gleam in his eye. Alexander looked around, assessing the situation. He exhaled slowly, his mind racing as he prepared to respond. But before he could speak, a voice called out from across the room, cutting through the tension like a blade. “Alexander, you made it!” The entire hall turned to see Jacob Harrington—the King of Diamonds himself—striding toward them, his expression warm and welcoming.
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“Wait, let me get this straight. Lady Lockwood—the matriarchal bitch you basically thought was going to banish you—called you directly, apologized for the misunderstanding, and went as far as offering you the project head position, and you said no?” Happy yelled, her voice filled with disbelief as she stared at Seraphina like she’d lost her mind."Welllll, technically, I didn’t say no," Seraphina replied defensively, fidgeting with her hands. "I told her I’d think about it."“That’s the same thing, you dumb-dumb! What the hell is there to think about?” Happy threw her hands up in exasperation.“Seraphina, what is wrong with you?” Caroline interjected, her voice tight as she tried to keep her temper in check. “Please, tell me you have a good reason for delaying your response to Lady Lockwood.”Seraphina looked down, avoiding her mother’s piercing gaze. She opened her mouth as if to explain, but no words came out. How could she explain something she barely understood herself?Caroline s
chapter 34: Hangover
Seraphina had passed out, the result of too much alcohol consumed with Happy. They both lay sprawled on her bed, and even in her sleep, Seraphina’s pain was visible. Tears trickled down her closed eyelids, leaving damp trails on her cheeks. Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open, and a voice yelled, “Seraphina!” It was Caroline, her mother. The noise was deafening, but only Happy stirred, squinting against the light. “Hey, Mrs. Caroline,” Happy greeted, her tone casual, as if Caroline hadn’t just stormed in. Caroline shot Happy a venomous glare. How dare she greet me like we’re friends, she thought, remembering the heartbreak Happy had caused her son, Shay. The only thing they shared was a mutual disdain for Alexander. “Happy, what the hell are you doing here?” Caroline asked, her voice dripping with scorn. “What the hell does it look like I’m doing here? I’m helping my best friend after her so-called family betrayed her and kicked her out,” Happy replied, her tone laced with sas
Chapter 33: The Lunch Date
Earlier That DayGrace’s heart began to race as Alexander’s calm but insistent voice came through the phone.“You’re with Daniel Lockwood, correct?” he asked.Grace was taken aback that he knew this. How could he possibly know that? She hesitated before responding, “Yes, sir.”“Good. I need you to relay a message to him.”“Of course, sir. What should I tell him?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.Alexander’s voice remained steady, but there was an edge to his words. “Inform Mr. Lockwood that Maverick Corporation will only accept Seraphina Lockwood as the project head for our deal. And as a response to his actions, we have decided to terminate our two hundred billion-dollar contract with the Lockwood family if Seraphina is not restored to her rightful position.”Grace’s eyes widened. She struggled to hide her surprise. Daniel Lockwood had been sitting here, trying to charm her into putting in a good word for him with the head of Maverick Corporation… and now Alexander himself was instru
Chapter 32: Roses
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Chapter 31: Flowers
Alexander could have walked to Maverick Corporation, but time was of the essence. Every second counted, and he couldn’t afford to waste any more of them."Sir, if I may ask—what seems to be the pressing matter?" Geoffrey, his butler, asked, his hand steady on the wheel as the car sped through the early morning streets. Alexander sat in the passenger seat, tension radiating off him. His brow was deeply furrowed, his thoughts racing behind his eyes."Just drive faster," Alexander ordered, the sharpness in his tone betraying his frustration. His mind was spinning in a dozen directions at once, and what made matters worse was that he couldn’t get in touch with Grace Pemberton. He had searched his phone for her number, only to realize it wasn’t there. Of course, it wasn’t—Grace was on a three-day leave, a fact that only added to his growing irritation.Geoffrey pressed harder on the gas, the car surging forward. As they sped through the streets, Alexander’s mind wandered, replaying his rec
Chapter 30: Happy
Alexander dropped the woman and her child off at the nearest police station. He didn’t wait to give a statement—he couldn’t afford to. The sound of Seraphina’s sobbing still echoed in his ears, driving him to move faster. What could have happened? Alexander questioned himself as he ran home, moving so quickly that anyone who saw him would have caught nothing but a blur. He promised himself he would find out who had hurt his wife and make them rue the day they dared to do so. When he reached home, Alexander was panting heavily, short of breath. He pushed the door open with urgency. “Sera!” he shouted, his voice laced with concern. To his shock, there she was, sitting in front of the TV, a half-empty bottle of alcohol in her hand, with more bottles and cans scattered across the floor. It was clear she was drowning her pain, something completely out of character for her. “Oh, Alex, I’m sorry… I was just overwhelmed,” Seraphina mumbled, turning to him, her head slightly lowered in emba
Chapter 29: Moments ago
--- MOMENTS AGO “It’s Lady Charlotte... she wants to see me… Lady Charlotte wants to see me!” Seraphina stared at her phone in disbelief. She had hoped and prayed for this moment, but never in her wildest dreams did she expect it to happen so soon. “About damn time,” Alexander replied, clearly ecstatic, mostly because the conversation had shifted away from the tension that had been hanging over his head moments before. “What do you think she wants?” Seraphina asked, even though she already knew the answer. She just needed someone else to say it, a second voice to confirm what she was too afraid to believe on her own. “What do you mean? Don’t tell me you don’t know why she texted you.” “Yeah, I do, I just… I don’t know, I want to be sure.” “You want to be sure?” Alexander scoffed in disbelief. “Come on, Seraphina, I thought you’d be happier.” “I am! It’s just…” “It’s just nothing, Seraphina. You earned it, you deserve it, so stop doubting yourself and go meet the sadistic old
