Chapter 80: Chapter 81

Chapter +25 BONUS “It’s nothing like that,” Alexander said. “We had a casual relationship. I was clear from the start that I didn’t want anything more, but she did, so in the end we parted ways.”

I could feel a knot forming in my stomach. “So, you just ditched her?” I asked softly, not sure if I wanted to know the answer.

There was a long pause. He said nothing at first, and that surprised me. I had expected some witty remark or light- hearted deflection, but instead, he seemed genuinely to be considering my question.

I thought about all the old rumors, the whispers from the past when Alexander had been called all sorts of cruel names. In the original timeline, I’d heard them all. But relationships end poorly all the time, and bitterness often follows. How much of it should I really take seriously?

Still, I knew Nadia wouldn’t be the only one. There were more women out there, more stories waiting to be told. This was only the beginning.

“Well?” I asked, my tone softening as I searched his face.“s that what you do when women are no longer useful. to you? Is that what you’ll do to me?”

“You’re different,” his gaze finally met mine, and something raw flickered in his eyes.

“Why?” I asked, my heart picking up speed.

His eyes searched mine, as if he were looking for the right words. I waited with bated breath for him to answer, but instead, he looked away.

“You know I’m not going to hurt you,” he said quietly. “This is just business. My reputation in that regard is stellar, so you have nothing to worry about.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. I was so stupid. I had been taken in by my own acting. Alexander was absolutely right; we were just business partners, and when it came to that, his reputation was untarnished. I could obviously trust him.

I forced a smile onto my face. “You’re right,” I said softly. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”

He lifted his eyes to mine, and for a moment, I saw relief wash over his face. “I’m glad to hear it. I knew you. would understand after David. The business relationship between us is far more stable than any romantic relationship could be.”

A bitter taste filled my mouth. After my experience with David, I realized that a romantic relationship was far too messy and made one too vulnerable. So who was it that led Alexander to that realization?

Every time I thought I was getting to know him a little better, he said something that made the space between ust feel impossibly large. It always seemed to be growing further away rather than closer to me..

He was right, though. I couldn’t allow myself to make the same mistake twice–not when the stakes were so high. The only thing that mattered now was handling this scandal before it damaged his reputation.

With that thought in mind, I steeled myself. I had to focus on the task at hand, to navigate this treacherous situation with precision and care. As much as I wanted to lean into the connection we were building, I couldn’t afford to forget why I was here.

The weight of our circumstances pressed down on me, reminding me that the game we were playing was one of survival.

“But that doesn’t change the fact that this is only the beginning,” I added “More people will come forward. Your have to be prepared for that.”

+25 BONUS Chapter D01 “You sound confident about that,” Alexander said.

”

“I am,” I replied. “It’s only natural. The public is so focused on you right now–It’s going to cause people with grudges to come forward. They won’t be able to stand hearing others speak positively about you.” Alexander smirked slightly. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you could see into the future.”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and a jolt of pante coursed through me. I couldn’t lose sight of the fact that I had my own secrets to keep. Alexander wasn’t the only one hiding things. It was all the more reason to keep my distance from him, no matter how hard that was to do.

Chapter 0032 +25 BONUS Chapter 0082