My hand crushed the letter. The company name that was inscribed on the contract I signed with Alex sounded familiar to me as "Olympus Holdings." This name is now associated with a chilling new lawsuit against my father. This was not a coincidence. This was a trap.
My thoughts instantly returned to Alex. Despite his face remaining a mask, the small flicker in his eyes and the almost invisible tightening around his jaw made sense. He knew. He was not unaware of the matter; he had an obligation to it. I was not only bound by my family's old debt but also had a new, sinister form of control in my contract marriage.
I swore an unapologetic expression, "What the hell is this guy," Alex. What do you think? .
There was no immediate tearing in his facade. His coffee was a slow-burning drink that left his gaze fixed on mine. It was an insufferable silence that lasted, until I thought I might scream.
"I can only assume that your dad is aware of some... unpleasant commercial interactions, " he conveyed with ease. "Olympus Holdings is a firm recognized for its aggressive efforts to seek fairness." Other sources:
With a sudden change in tone, I asked myself whether I was feeling justice or retaliation.
You were aware of this, didn't you? The debt you settled was not the only one. The purpose of this was to impose my punishment and hold my family back, even after the debt was settled.
Eventually, the sound of his cup finally breaking free in the unnervingly quiet room. He put it down. I saw the face of a brutal billionaire for the first time as his eyes dimmed. "You signed the contract, Isabella.". You agreed to its terms. My immediate solution to your family's crisis was provided by me. ". This new development is... unfortunate. For your father. ".
I retorted, "Wow, it was bad.".
I experienced a sudden surge of bravery when I was filled with anger. "You refer to it as unlucky?". There are no random mishaps here! Our contract contained the name of that company in its fine print.?... You set this up! The entire affair, including my marriage, is a form of imprisonment for me!
As he stood, his chair creaked and towered above me. "Instead of his usual chilly disposition, he was dangerously intense. Isabella, be careful what you say.". You're my wife. And you'll acknowledge that fact. "...
I chuckled with a harsh tone, wondering if you felt like showing respect while locking me in stoop. What does this mean?
You are the one who is at the center of a new tragedy, whether you were innocent or innocent. ".
He came closer, his shadow falling over me. 'Wasn't my heart goes out to your father because of the past. I'm anxious about preserving the terms of our deal.
"I questioned, not wanting to give up. What are these terms?" I replied. "What else did I have to accept after two years of being true?
What additional actions have you taken?
At that precise moment, the housekeeper, Anya, entered the breakfast nook with a silver tray of fresh pastries in her hand. Her gaze widened as she stopped, sensing the real tension. Alex's brow swiftly softened, his posture firm, making him the distant and disciplined billionaire once more. The. A master of the masks.
"Is there anything else, Mr.
Without any apparent reason, Anya's voice remained calm as she asked what Volkov meant.
"No, Anya.
"I might depart from here,'" Alex whispered, unable to detect any trace of the anger that had previously been present. After a sharp, well-informed look at him, Anya gave me another.
The air erupted once more after her departure. Alex fixed me with a grimace that could turn into anger. "I'm not sure how you feel, Isabella.". I've offered your family salvation. Twice. Don't think I'm acting out of a stupid trick. My sole responsibility is to maintain ownership of my belongings. ".
What is 'yours'? I laughed out of boredom. "What about my life?" you ask.
My freedom? You speak about me as if I were your own creation, not someone else's.
Yet another move was made by him, closing the gap between us. He unexpectedly reached out and cupped my jaw with a soft, but firm grip. His thumb struck my cheekbone, and a strange surge of electricity rippled through me. He had these cold-hearted eyes, which were complicated in a combination of possessiveness and something else -- perhaps an expression of deep desire or regret....
I am your wife Isabella,' he said softly, his voice rasping with fear. And whether you liked it or not you are my wife now. ".
Body and soul. And you'll come to terms with it.
The statements represented an immediate challenge, a claim that exceeded the terms of the agreement. During our conflict, they were an unexpected and intense bond. "... My breath hitched. He was not just a cold guy; he was calculated, manipulative and terrifyingly attractive. He was attempting to assert his authority, but there was something else in his eyes that suggested a more intricate and complex cause for his behavior.
Within the mansion, there was an abrupt crashing sound that was muffled and then someone shouted in silence. As Alex lowered his hand from my face, it was me and he felt his head swing towards the sound. A new kind of worry was evident in his sharp, alert eyes. Suddenly the heavy, strong billionaire looked...weird.
"Stay in this place," he declared, his voice raspy, and then promptly left the breakfast nook, leaving me torn between his true intentions and the unsettling realization that something was amiss in the center of this seemingly impregnable fortress.