Chapter 81

Evelyn pieced everything together instantly.

Alexander must have come to the private room to fetch her last night and crossed paths with Ryan.

That meant it was Alexander who had declared that employees of Titan Capital Group were forbidden from dating.

"I have zero interest in marrying Ethan, so you can stop scheming on my behalf. Save your energy."

She was about to end the call when Margaret's voice turned sharp.

"If that's the case, then why aren't you dating anyone? Evelyn, I know exactly what game you're playing."

Her mother scoffed. "Playing hard to get? How predictable. You're just trying to reel Ethan back in, but he belongs to Vanessa now."

Evelyn's patience snapped. "Ethan this, Ethan that—honestly, Margaret, you sound more obsessed with him than Vanessa is."

"How dare you!" Margaret hissed.

"I already have someone in mind. Relax. After Vanessa's wedding, I'll shove my marriage certificate in your face if that's what it takes!"

Margaret raised a skeptical brow. "You're crushing on someone? Seriously? Who is this mysterious man?"

"Alexander."

Margaret burst into laughter, treating Evelyn's confession about liking Alexander as pure absurdity.

They moved in entirely different circles—had likely never even exchanged a glance before. Yet here Evelyn was, declaring her feelings for him? Preposterous!

Margaret dismissed it as one of Evelyn's dramatic whims, too ridiculous to entertain.

Of course, she didn’t take it seriously.

When Alexander returned that evening, he had a social event to attend.

At Maple Leaf Café, Lucas lounged on the plush sofa, a cigarette dangling lazily between his fingers.

"Judging by Evelyn’s expression in that private room yesterday, if she had decided to punch me in public, I wouldn’t have been surprised," Lucas teased, swirling his wine.

"You two really are a match. The intensity you both radiate is almost terrifying."

Alexander shot him a look but said nothing.

Lucas smirked, his fingers tracing the rim of his wine glass. "Truth be told, I was a nervous wreck inside. But for your sake, I had to play it cool. Anyone else, and I would’ve walked away without a second glance."

He passed the glass to Alexander, his gaze inadvertently landing on the vivid marks trailing down his neck.

His breath hitched.

"Damn, what kind of wild night did you two have?" Lucas whistled low, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Did Evelyn take charge? Those bites look… possessive."

Lucas was no stranger to passion, but Alexander—

The thought of him being pinned down, kissed senseless, and thoroughly claimed by Evelyn sent a thrill through him.

From experience, Lucas could guess exactly how it went down.

His eyes flicked to Alexander’s waist.

The man had always been disciplined with his workouts, built like a damn statue.

Yet, if Evelyn had been the one calling the shots…

Was there something Alexander wasn’t telling him?

A flicker of shock, then sympathy, crossed Lucas’s face.

Some men were all strength on the outside but—

Alexander's gaze darkened as he studied Lucas.

He crooked his finger, beckoning him closer.

Lucas frowned. "What?"

Alexander's voice was dangerously calm. "Lucas, are you impotent?"

Lucas blinked, momentarily stunned.

"If there's an issue, address it now," Alexander continued, his tone laced with quiet menace. "Don't let it ruin your marriage. You've just begun—there's a lifetime ahead. In intimacy, a man should never let his woman take control."

With every word, Lucas felt the air grow heavier.

Unaware of the storm brewing, Lucas puffed his chest. "Listen, I know a remedy—guaranteed to make you unstoppable. One dose, and you'll be insatiable. Multiple rounds, no fatigue. You'll thank me later!"

No man tolerated such an insult.

Alexander's eyes narrowed, sharp as a blade. The moment their gazes locked, Lucas's bravado faltered. A cold sweat prickled down his spine.

He swallowed hard but forced a laugh. "Hey, don’t take it personally. Every man has off nights—"

Before he could finish, Alexander’s glare silenced him.

Lucas suddenly fell silent.

Alexander snatched the wine glass, drained the deep crimson liquid in one swift motion, and grabbed his coat from the sofa.

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Without another word, he strode toward the door, his jaw clenched tight.

Lucas watched him go, his expression unreadable.

The heavy oak door slammed shut behind Alexander, the sound echoing through the penthouse like a gunshot.

Silence settled over the space, thick and uneasy.

Lucas exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

This wasn’t how the evening was supposed to go.

Downstairs, the city lights glittered like scattered diamonds, indifferent to the storm brewing inside.

Alexander stepped into the elevator, his mind racing.

He needed air.

Needed space.

Needed to get away before he said—or did—something he’d regret.

The elevator doors slid open to the lobby.

Cool night air hit his face as he pushed through the glass doors, his coat billowing behind him.

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

He ignored it.

Right now, there was only one place he wanted to be.

And it wasn’t here.

Not when every breath felt like fire in his lungs.

Not when the memory of her—Evelyn—was a ghost he couldn’t escape.

He quickened his pace, disappearing into the shadows of the city.

Somewhere, a clock struck midnight.

But time no longer mattered.

Not when love had teeth.

And tonight, it was biting hard.