Chapter 195

The moment Richard Hayes spotted Alexander Whitmore's arrival, he rushed forward to personally welcome him.

This was the man who normally required weeks of scheduled appointments just for a five-minute meeting. Now he stood right at Richard's doorstep.

Richard's hands trembled with barely contained excitement. "Alexander, please come inside," he urged, gesturing toward the grand foyer.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, Alexander snapped his black umbrella shut.

Cold rainwater sprayed across Richard's face.

His custom-made suit was instantly speckled with droplets.

Before Richard could even reach for his handkerchief, Alexander pressed the sharp tip of the umbrella handle against his throat.

The polished leather of Alexander's shoes clicked ominously against the marble floor as he advanced. Each measured step echoed like a death knell through the cavernous hallway.

The predatory glint in Alexander's steel-gray eyes made Richard's blood run cold.

He stumbled backward, his polished loafers squeaking against the wet floor.

For all his decades as a ruthless business tycoon, Richard found himself completely disarmed before Alexander's terrifying presence.

The man who had built an empire through intimidation now found himself at the mercy of someone far more dangerous.

The tension in the air was palpable as Evelyn realized Alexander had come with one purpose—to make them pay.

"Alexander, let's discuss this rationally. We're still family," she said, forcing calm into her voice.

"Family?" His laugh was icy, devoid of any warmth. "Evelyn has already severed ties with you. What family are you talking about?"

The moment those words left his lips, Richard and Margaret stiffened in shock.

How does Alexander know what happened?

And since when did Evelyn matter this much to him?

Richard recovered first, carefully pushing aside the tip of the umbrella pointed at him.

Realizing Alexander was here for Evelyn’s sake, he quickly backtracked. "Sever ties? That’s absurd! Evelyn is still a Hayes! She’s my daughter—that will never change!"

A public disownment would be a scandal among high society. Richard would never admit to it.

Besides, if Alexander truly valued Evelyn now, Richard would do everything to keep her close. Cutting ties was the last thing he wanted.

Alexander’s lips curled into a cold smirk. His piercing gaze held no mercy.

Then his eyes landed on the torn dress scattered across the floor. The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.

"She’s your daughter, yet this is how you treat her?" His voice was dangerously low.

Richard's face froze. He hadn't anticipated Alexander would decipher his scheme this fast.

"Evelyn is my wife. If she asks, naturally I'd assist her family." Alexander's voice was smooth as silk yet carried an unshakable authority. "A handful of projects? I'd contemplate handing Horizon Enterprises every Titan Capital Group contract for the next three years."

Richard's pupils dilated at the declaration.

"Three years' worth?" His mind reeled.

He recalled a nearly insolvent firm that landed one Titan Capital deal—it skyrocketed to industry dominance overnight, elevating all its subsidiaries.

But three years of projects?

This wasn't just prosperity. This was dynastic wealth.

Richard's fingers trembled against his champagne flute as visions of Horizon Enterprises eclipsing competitors consumed him.

Alexander observed the avarice darkening Richard's gaze with icy amusement.

Then, like a guillotine dropping, his tone shifted.

"Yet today, you wounded her." Alexander's knuckles whitened around his glass. "How shall we address that?"

The temperature in the room plummeted.

His fingers drummed impatiently against the polished mahogany desk.

Vanessa's expression darkened as she read the report in her hands.

"Horizon Enterprises has completely vanished from the market. Alexander must have lost his mind!"

Her voice was sharp, laced with disbelief and simmering anger.

Across the room, Ethan Caldwell leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Or," he drawled, "he's playing a game we don't understand yet."

Vanessa shot him a glare.

"You think this is some kind of strategy? Wiping out an entire billion-dollar venture overnight?"

Ethan shrugged, his gaze drifting to the city skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Alexander Whitmore doesn't make moves without reason. If he erased Horizon, he has a plan."

Silence settled between them, heavy with tension.

Vanessa exhaled sharply, tossing the report onto the desk.

"Then we find out what it is."

Ethan's smirk widened.

"Good luck with that."

Her eyes narrowed.

"You're not helping?"

He stood, straightening his suit jacket with deliberate ease.

"Oh, I will. But not for free."

Vanessa crossed her arms.

"What do you want?"

Ethan's gaze flickered with something unreadable.

"Let's just say... I have my own interests in this."

Before she could respond, he strode out of the office, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

And the unsettling realization that Alexander Whitmore was always three steps ahead.