Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Scarlett was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

Did Alexander really feel pleased after hearing her words?

She lowered her head slightly, unsure where to direct her gaze, and after a moment, she found her voice again. "I'm glad you think that way, Mr. King."

Alexander stared intently at the back of Scarlett's neck.

For today's opening ceremony, she had styled her hair up, exposing the skin on her neck. It seemed to trigger memories for him, making him want to bite her there, to mark his claim on her.

Seeing Scarlett's vulnerable state, it was hard for him not to soften, but he knew now wasn't the time. If he revealed their relationship, Scarlett would push him even further away.

Alexander squinted slightly, pushing her fragile image out of his mind. "When it comes to feelings, if you like someone, you have to fight for them, just like I..."

He stopped mid-sentence, seemingly unintentionally shifting his gaze away.

Scarlett's heart raced because of his words.

But then, he laughed and changed the subject. "I've said too much. But right now, the Black family acknowledges you, and in my opinion, you have an advantage over Emma."

Scarlett's forced smile was almost impossible to maintain.

Is love really about fighting and competing?

So when Alexander loved, he was willing to lower himself to be the third party, and now he could stand in front of her, helping her analyze her chances with Sebastian.

She had long known that Alexander had fallen for someone else, or rather, accepted someone else.

But for everything to change so drastically overnight, she still felt her heart couldn't keep up.

Her head felt even more muddled.

She leaned against the wall. "Thank you, Mr. King. I'm not feeling well. I'll head back to the lounge."

Alexander's brow twitched, but he suppressed the urge to show concern. "Alright, we'll be going then."

Scarlett felt even more bitter inside. She nodded lightly to Alexander, then covered her mouth and quickly fled.

Watching her figure disappear, Alexander finally looked away and turned to leave. "Find some evidence of Emma causing trouble on set and inform Sebastian."

Mike responded from behind, "Yes, Mr. King."

He found Alexander's behavior today very strange.

Given his previous style, how could he say those things to Scarlett?

Scarlett kept mentioning Sebastian, and Alexander wasn't even a bit angry. Instead, he encouraged her. 

And even though Scarlett seemed unwell, he didn't show any extra concern?

It was as if he had completely changed.

And that last instruction was even stranger.

Could he really be planning to help Scarlett pursue Sebastian?

Although a good secretary shouldn't ask too many questions, Mike felt that if he didn't get to the bottom of this, how could he handle future interactions with Scarlett?

After much thought, once they were in the car, Mike cautiously spoke up. "Mr. King, have you... completely given up on Ms. Collins?"

Alexander paused his phone tapping and frowned at Mike. "Is that what you think?"

Mike was even more confused.

Alexander paused for a moment, then sighed. "It's hard to explain. If you're unsure about anything related to her, just ask me."

"Oh, and buy a bouquet of roses and send it to my office. The best ones."

"Understood."

—

Scarlett rushed to the lounge, hurriedly took some medicine, and then collapsed onto the bed.

She only had a slight fever, so why did she feel so cold?

The lounge only had a thin blanket, which should have been enough in this weather, but she was shivering and had to turn on the air conditioning.

The medicine took effect very slowly.

Scarlett tightened the blanket around her and closed her eyes. Sleep came too slowly, and she had to stay awake, repeatedly recalling what had just happened.

But what was the point of thinking about it over and over again?

She felt like she was trapped in an endless loop, thinking about the same things repeatedly, knowing it was pointless.

She didn't know how long it took, but she eventually fell into a fitful sleep, only to be awakened by the heat.

Her face felt uncomfortable, and when she wiped it, her hand was wet. She didn't know if it was tears or sweat.

There was a message from Moira on her phone, warning her to return to the hospital after work.

She replied with an "okay."

But then, as if her fingers had a mind of their own, she opened Alexander's social media.

The moment she saw the first post, Scarlett almost forgot to breathe.

It was posted half an hour ago.

In the picture, Alexander was holding a bouquet of roses.

He didn't show his face, and it seemed like an ordinary photo.

But Scarlett was sure it was Alexander.

Did he buy the roses for Jessica?

Yes, Alexander had said it himself. He had moved on from their past and was now ready to hold Jessica's hand and live his own life.

Suddenly, she felt incredibly exhausted.

Scarlett couldn't help but close her eyes.

At some point, her phone slipped from her hand, landing on the carpet with a dull thud.

Scarlett didn't have the energy to care.

But closing her eyes didn't stop the tears. Drops of water fell from the corners of her eyes, soaking into the bedsheet.

Scarlett slowly curled up, burying herself under the blanket, and only then did she dare to let out a faint whimper.

Three years ago, when she broke up with Alexander, her family's situation no longer allowed her to stay in Phoenix City.

At that time, the Collins family's financial situation was dire, and they all moved back to a small southern town. The Collins family fell from grace overnight, even choosing the cheapest place to live.

Her bedroom was separated from her parents' by a wall.

Her mental state wasn't good then. During the day, she had to work hard to make money, at least keeping busy to numb her nerves. But at night, when she thought about her past with Alexander, she would cry.

The old house had poor sound insulation, and she didn't want her parents to find out, so she would cry into her pillow, trying to keep her sobs as quiet as possible. After venting, she had to pull herself together to face a new day.

Now, she was still hiding under the covers, biting her lip until it bled.

She kept reminding herself that after crying, she had to move forward...

Scarlett didn't know that at the Black Group headquarters, Mike was also puzzled by the bouquet of roses.

After buying them as Alexander instructed, he had taken a photo and then set them aside.

Mike originally thought Alexander would take them home after work, but in the afternoon, when Alexander saw the bouquet, he frowned in disdain. "Why is this still here? Get rid of it."

Mike was stunned. "What?"

He was increasingly unable to understand what Alexander was thinking.

Did he buy the flowers just to take a photo?

Mike cautiously suggested, "Should I take them to the admin office and let them put them in the common area?"

Alexander didn't even look up. "Do whatever you want."

Mike carried the flowers past the CEO's desk.

Alexander's phone screen was still on his social media page, with a new post showing a symbol.

It seemed to be set to be visible to a specific person.

Mike's eyelid twitched slightly.

He had a vague suspicion.

Could Alexander have bought the flowers just for Scarlett to see?