With a serene motion, Alexis signaled, and in one fluid movement, the room was secured, the door bolted.
A formidable guard nudged Anika back onto the couch, leaving her no room to struggle.
Alexis bypassed Anikaâs lock screen with ease, using her fingerprint.
The phoneâs gallery revealed intimate moments captured on video-Leonel and Anika entwined in a fervent embrace, with subsequent clips displaying Leonelâs casual air as Anika offered him juice, a semblance of normalcy in their interactions.
The video spanned over half an hour, painting a portrait of two people entangled in affection.
After watching the scenes play out for a quarter of an hour, Alexisâ interest waned.
She sent the video to her device and handed the phone back to Anika, her voice devoid of warmth.
âTreasure this memory.
â
Anika, masking her emotions behind a frosty smile, taunted, âDoes it hurt to see? Heâs mine.
Any other is just a sideshow.
â
The guard, quick to discipline, delivered a sharp rebuke to Anikaâs cheek, chastising her arrogance.
Alexis maintained a tone of feigned propriety.
âLetâs remember our manners.
â
Through tears of frustration, Anika bit back, âSpare me your fake sympathies.
â
It was then Alexis noticed a coat dr@ped over the armrest-a coat tailored by the renowned craftsmen of Ypsila, a Luxury only the elite could claim.
This was a signature piece of Leonelâs wardrobe.
Left here, in this space, it was a silent testament to his frequent presence, a stark reminder of his divided affections.
Alexis withdrew a small velvet box from within the folds of the coat.
Within it lay a necklace, Alexisâ own initials etched into the metal.
Anikaâs features twisted into a scornful grimace as she mocked, âThis token, meant for you, was chosen during a trip with Mr.
Douglas to Hondrau.
Imagine, your name on it! How strangely fate plays its cards.
â
Her voice was laced with bitter pride.
âI was the one who helped him select it, even though it was your intended surprise.
That evening, as fireworks burst overhead, he nearly ki*sed me.
You two were each otherâs early romance, werenât you? It seemed to me he recaptured a long-lost
sensation that night.
â
A twinge of sorrow pierced Alexis, yet she masked her anguish with a bland exterior.
âHis past affection is buried.
â
Anikaâs reaction was one of shocked silence.
Releasing a curt nod to the guard, Alexis approached Anika, her voice a murmur of indifference.
âMiss Cohen, whether or not he turns to you, his eyes will eventually wander elsewhere.
You hold no significance, and I actually hold no grudge against you.
â
Anikaâs disbelief was palpable.
âHow can you feel no resentment towards me?â She questioned the possibility, the concept foreign and unlikely in her eyes.
Alexis offered a subdued smile, opting not to delve into explanations with Anika.
In her mind, Anika would never grasp the depth of the rift between herself and Leonel.
To Leonel, Anika was merely a fleeting figure.
The concept of Leonel, unbound by matrimonial ties, yet remaining loyal to one, seemed implausible.
With that, Alexis departed.
Settling into the car, the bodyguard inquired if she required driving assistance.
She reclined briefly, signaling her autonomy with a simple, âThereâs no need.
â
Her next stop was the law office, where she replicated the incriminating video and penned the allegations.
She handed the dossier to her secretary with clear instructions.
âRex is our best divorce attorney.
Entrust this to him.
Iâm seeking a swift divorce.
â
The secretary, lips quivering, addressed her with concern.
âMs.
Fowler?â
Alexis conjured up a semblance of reassurance.
âIâm not so easily toppled.
â
Following this facade of resilience, Alexis felt her energy drain away.