The sheer grandeur of Alexander Cain's empire was overwhelming. Glass walls, high ceilings, and a polished black marble floor reflected the golden glow of the chandelier above. The entire space radiated power, control, and untouchable wealth.
Alexander stood in the center, dressed in an immaculate black suit, every detail of his appearance exuding dominance. The golden cufflinks, the perfectly tailored jacket, the expensive Rolex on his wrist—everything about him screamed untamed authority.
His men stood behind him, forming a silent wall of control. No one in this building dared to breathe without his permission.
But Lena didn't care.
Her rage burned hotter than her fear as she stormed toward him, pushing past his guards. She didn't stop until she stood directly in front of him, her chin raised, her eyes blazing with fury.
Alexander took one look at her and smirked. A slow, arrogant, mocking smile.
Lena's voice rose in the dead silence of the lobby.
"Why are you after me, Alexander?! Why can't you just leave me alone?! Why the hell are you ruining my brother's life?!"
Her hands clenched at her sides, her entire body trembling with frustration.
Alexander didn't blink. He didn't flinch. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable, before he finally spoke—
His voice was calm. Deep. Cold. And yet, it echoed through the vast space like a slow-rolling storm.
"You think too highly of yourself, little girl."
Lena's breath hitched.
"I don't waste my time on nobodies," he continued, his tone laced with quiet cruelty. "You're just another greedy, desperate woman trying to crawl her way up from the gutter."
Lena's eyes widened. His words felt like a slap across the face.
The entire floor remained deathly silent. Not a single person dared to interrupt.
Alexander took one slow step closer, his smirk deepening.
"And yet," he murmured, his voice dropping just a little, "you stand here, shouting my name in my own building. As if you matter."
Lena froze for a moment, his words cutting deeper than she had expected. But she refused to back down.
She lifted her chin, her pulse racing, but her voice was steady when she spoke.
"I wish I really were a greedy girl, Alexander. Then maybe—just maybe—you wouldn't be so obsessed with ruining my life."
A flicker of something—annoyance? amusement?—crossed Alexander's face.
Before he could respond, Lena pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking slightly as she unlocked it.
"Wait," she snapped, her breath uneven. "Let me show you proof. Proof of how you're destroying my life."
Her fingers moved swiftly as she scrolled, searching for the article Ryan had sent her.
But Alexander... remained silent.
His expression didn't change, except for the slight, knowing smirk that still lingered on his lips.
Like he was waiting. Like he already knew something she didn't.
Lena's eyes widened in shock as she stared at her phone screen.
The link was broken.
Her fingers trembled as she refreshed the page, but the article was gone. Wiped clean. Like it had never existed.
A slow chill crept up her spine as she lifted her gaze, meeting Alexander's unbothered stare.
He had been watching her the whole time—his expression unreadable, his stance relaxed. But there was a glint in his eyes, something cruelly amused.
Then, in that same calm, deep voice, he spoke.
"Are you done now?"
Lena's breath caught in her throat.
"You... you did this—"
But Alexander only chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Did what?" he said smoothly, his tone laced with mockery.
Lena clenched her fists. "You know exactly what I'm talking about!"
His smirk deepened, his gaze turning indifferent.
"I have very little patience for meaningless outbursts." He took a step closer, towering over her. "So tell me, what exactly do you want?"
Lena's heart pounded. She could feel every pair of eyes in the room on her. He was pretending. Pretending like she didn't exist, like she was just another nuisance wasting his time.
"I—" she started, but the words caught in her throat.
Alexander exhaled slowly, as if already bored. "If you're done wasting my time, you can leave."
A sharp flick of his fingers—a silent command.
Immediately, two guards stepped forward.
Lena felt a lump rise in her throat. He wasn't even acknowledging her.
He was erasing her.
Lena's steps faltered as she walked toward the exit, her back to Alexander. Her head was spinning.
She felt humiliated. Powerless. The sheer arrogance in Alexander's voice still rang in her ears.
She was almost at the door when she heard footsteps behind her.
Before she could react, a firm hand grabbed her wrist.
She jerked away, whipping around in fury. "What the hell are you doing?!"
One of Alexander's guards stood in front of her, hesitating for a brief moment.
Then, from behind, Alexander gave a single nod.
The hesitation vanished.
The guard stepped closer. "Miss, we need to check your pockets."
Lena's eyes flashed with rage. "Excuse me?! You think I—"
Before she could finish, the guard reached into her jeans pocket.
She slapped his hand away, anger boiling inside her.
"This is insane!" she snapped. "Get your hands off me!"
But then, she froze.
Because in the guard's hand was something she had never seen before.
A watch.
Not just any watch—a luxury, diamond-studded timepiece.
Stolen.
Lena stared at it in shock. Her breath caught in her throat.
This isn't mine.
She had never seen it before.
And yet… it had just come out of her pocket.