Chapter 57 Alexander Miller
At Blake Corporation...
"Xander, did you sell your property on the market place to Ariadne?" Crystal asked while sitting in Xander's office.
She was furious after hearing the news. She had come to meet him.
"How did you find out about it?" Xander asked, his attention fixed on the documents in front of him.
"Um...I know your property manager's secretary. She told me." she replied hesitantly.
Xander only nodded, saying nothing.
"I'd asked you to give me that property. I was even willing to give you a big share. But you declined." Crystal added.
A few years ago, Crystal started her own clothing line. She wanted Xander's property for her clothing line. However, Xander denied her because the Miller Group already owned a few properties in the city.
"You don't need that property. I've already told you." Xander said casually ignoring her displeasure.
"But, Xander..."
"I sold the property for the partnership." Xander cut her off.
"What? You and Ariadne have become partners!" Crystal was shocked as she didn't know this.
"I'm a businessman, Crystal. I'll go for profit. Autumn Collection is a growing brand."
Crystal fell silent for a moment as Xander's gaze remained fixed on the document. She couldn't do anything now that the property had already been sold. She cleared her throat.
"I visited Grace Children's Hospital yesterday. My friend's daughter has been admitted there." she paused for a moment. "You wouldn't believe it... I saw Ariadne there."
This time Xander paused and looked at her.
"Ariadne?" he frowned.
Crystal smirked, knowing she had caught his attention. This was the main reason for her visit.
"Yeah. I assumed that someone close to her might have been admitted there. But I was wrong." she paused and appeared hesitant.
"What is it?" Xander asked.
"A nurse told me that Ariadne frequently visited the hospital to meet with Mr. Wright. What's more shocking is that there're rumours among the employees that something is going on between them."
"What nonsense?" Xander said.
"It makes me angry, too. But she claimed that they saw her enter Mr. Wright's office and they stayed there for a long time. She has no reason to visit on a regular basis. So they assumed it. But I still don't believe this." Crystal said innocently.
Xander was silent, deep in thought.
"Xander."
Xander was jolted out of his thoughts when Crystal called him. He looked at her but didn't say anything.
"Do you still love her?" she asked, taking him off guard.
"It doesn't matter now, Crystal. Don't think about those things." he looked at his watch. "You should go home now. I've a meeting." he added.
"Ok. Don't forget to eat the food." Cystal touched the food box that she had brought for him. Xander nodded.
As Crystal walked out of Xander's office, the receptionist smiled and approached her.
"Hello, madam. Let me escort you." the girl said.
Following the engagement, everyone started paying more attention to Crystal. After all, she was going to marry Xander soon. So, everyone wanted to be in her good books. As she walked through the office, everyone smiled at her. She felt satisfied. She had to go a long way to get here.
((FLASHBACK))
"Do you know your Grandpa has arranged our marriage?"
Ten years old Ariadne said while playing on the floor with Xander. She looked excited.
"Yes, I do." Xander smiled at her.
"Does this mean we will live together once we are adults?"
"Yes."
"Wow. It will be fun..." she exclaimed, placing her hands on her cheeks in delight. "We will meet everyday... We will play together everyday."
"We will sleep together as well." he said mischievously.
"What?" Ariadne frowned. "I won't share my bed with you."
"Why?" he asked, his expression serious.
"Because I sleep alone."
"Haha." he shook his head at her childishness. "The husband and wife live in the same bedroom. They're each other's better half."
"What's this?" Ariadne asked, confused.
"You will understand when you grow up."
"You're not an adult, either. Then how do you know?" she crossed her arms and pouted.
"I'm not an adult yet, but I'm old enough to know more than you."
Ariadne glared at him, causing him to laugh.
"Don't get mad. I'll teach you everything."
"Really?"
"Yes. You're my fiancee, after all." Xander said, looking at her affectionately.
Ariadne smiled joyfully. They were so caught up in their conversation that they didn't notice the fuming Crystal, who was watching them from the couch. She abruptly stood up and dashed to the garden, where her mother was seated. She ran up to Emma and hugged her.
"I hate her." she declared, gritting her teeth.
"Who, dear?" Emma was puzzled by her action.
"Aria..." she looked at her mother. "I like Xander, Mom. He's so smart, handsome, and rich... I want him. I can't tolerate him with her." Crystal's words revealed her intense hatred for Ariadne.
Emma's eyes widened as she heard that.
"His stupid Grandpa arranged their marriage. But I want to be his wife." Crystal pouted.
Emma stared at her daughter, speechless.
"If you want him..." she said after a while. "You must act shrewdly."
"I can do anything, Mom. I just want Xander." Crystal replied, determined.
"That's my girl." Emma grinned.
((END OF FLASHBACK ))
"I did it, Mom. I did it." Crystal murmured while sitting in her car.
"Poor Ariadne," she smirked as she started her car and drove away from the Blake Corporation.
.....
Ariadne exited the main building of Grace Children's Hospital. She didn't look around and walked quickly to her car, her head down. It was obvious that she wanted to avoid public eyes. Xander frowned while watching her from his car.
"So, she does come here." he muttered.
Ariadne's car soon left the hospital.
"Let's go inside." he said.
.
"Xander? What a pleasant surprise! Please take a seat." Mr. Wright said as Xander entered his office.
"What has brought you here?" Mr. Wright was sitting in his chair.
"Nothing serious. I'd been thinking about coming here for a long time. Today I found the time, so I came." Xander replied, taking a seat across from Mr. Wright.
"You did the right thing."
"How's everything going?" Xander asked, looking around the office. Everything was neatly organized.
"It's all good."
Xander nodded. "I hope patients will like the new hospital."
"They're going to love it. Ariadne is doing a great job." Mr. Wright's eyes were filled with pride as he took her name.
Xander frowned when he realised he had addressed her by name.
"I've heard she visits here on a regular basis." he stated, looking sharply at Mr. Wright.
"Yes, she visits almost every day."
"Everyday!"
"Yes. Don't you know?"
"No."
Mr. Wright appeared surprised.
"Why does she visit?"
"She comes here to see her son. Her son's admitted to this hospital."
Xander was entirely surprised. This wasn't what he had expected to be the reason for Ariadne's visit.
"Is it Adrian?"
"No. It's Alex, her youngest son."
"Alex?" he was speechless.
Mr. Wright stared at him intently.
"For how long has the child been in the hospital?"
"It's nearly two months now."
"What? So long! Why didn't you tell me about it?"
"I assumed you already knew it. Didn't she tell you?"
"No... Absolutely not." he sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
Everything became clear to him now... Ariadne's return, no sign of the third child. He was in the hospital the entire time.
"She was your ex-wife. Right?" Mr. Wright's voice drew him back from his thoughts.
"Yes. Did she tell you?"
"No. Your Grandpa told me."
Xander remained silent.
"As far as I know, she's a very kind-hearted and talented woman... Anyway.. anything can happen in a marriage. It's your choice." Mr. Wright sighed. He was referring to their divorce.
The phone on the table began to ring, and Mr. Wright answered.
"Hello.... Ok... I'm coming." he ended the call.
"Sorry, Xander. I've to go now."
"But I'd some questions."
"You can call me later. I'm not sure how much time it will take because it's an emergency."
"Okay."
"If you like, you can stay here for a moment. I'll ask someone to bring you some coffee." Mr. Wright said as he rose from his chair.
"There's no need for it."
"Okay, if you say so." he put on his coat and walked to the door.
He paused at the door and turned around. "Xander."
"Yes." Xander turned at him.
"You should meet with the child. He's adorable. You'll love him. Ask about him at the counter." he left before saying those words, leaving a confused Xander in the office.
Mr. Wright seemed to order Xander to meet the child instead of suggesting it. Xander closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair, deep in thought. He abruptly stood up after a while, and left the room.
Jose and Toby were sitting outside the office. When they saw him emerge from the office, they stood up as well. Xander walked towards the counter without looking at them. Jose and Toby looked at each other before following their boss.
"I want information on a patient, named Alex." he said to the receptionist when they reached the counter.
"Can you give me the full name, Sir?"
"Maybe, it's Alex Miller. He's been here for nearly two months... and his mother's name is Ariadne Miller." he added.
The receptionist took a moment to checked the record. Jose and Toby exchanged surprised looks. They realised that the patient named Alex was Ariadne's son.
"Are you referring to the patient Alexander Miller, Sir? There's no patient with the name Alex Miller."
Xander frowned in confusion.
"Is his mother Ariadne Miller?" Toby asked this time.
"Yes, Sir."
"Yes, that's him. Where's his room?"
"It's on the second floor, room 18. This will take you there." the receptionist pointed to the lift.
"Ok, thank you." Toby said.
"So, are we going to see the kid?" he asked as they moved to a corner.
"Alexander Miller." Xander said the name.
"The name matches yours, Boss." Jose said.
Xander frowned at him.
"I am just..." Jose dropped his head.
"The child was in the hospital the entire time. What might have happened to him?" Xander felt restless as he considered it.
"It must be a serious illness." Jose exclaimed.
All of the men appeared uneasy as they looked at each other.
Suddenly, Xander's phone rang and he answered the call.
"What?... how?" he clenched his jaw at what the person on the other side had said.
"Hold them up. I'm coming right now. Don't let anyone enter the site." he said before hanging up.
"What happened?" Jose asked.
"An accident happened on the construction site."
"What?" Toby and Jose exchanged looks.
"I need to be there. The media has gathered around the place." Xander appeared angry.
"But what about the child?" Toby asked.
Xander paused for a moment and ran his fingers through his hair. He had been under a lot of stress lately.
"Toby, stay here and meet the child. I'll be back later."
"Ok."
Xander and Jose hurriedly left the hospital .