Chapter 52
Elizabeth's POV
Just mentioning Carter had elicited such a big reaction from him. If they actually met face to face, would I get caught in the crossfire?
Although I'd already sensed that The Windsor Family's internal relationships were complicated, I'd never seen Alexander lose his composure like that before.
And right now, that feeling came back again.
Alexander just stood there without saying a word. Even from behind, he looked like he'd been hit by something.
"Let him in."
Just as I was about to speak, a low voice that sounded like it was being squeezed out from his throat drifted over.
The tone seemed to hide countless dark hatreds, the voice so hoarse it was almost unrecognizable as his.
I covered my mouth, watching Alexander's slightly trembling hands, and seemed to understand something.
Alexander's unusual reaction to Carter didn't seem like fear, it was more like hatred.
What on earth had he been through that just hearing something related to Carter could trigger such a strong reaction?
A powerful sense of oppression surrounded me, and an uneasy feeling spread through my heart.
On the surface, Alexander seemed normal right now, but even I could feel the turmoil inside him.
In this state, he wouldn't do anything impulsive, would he?
Realizing how serious the situation was, I didn't care about anything else and quickly stood beside Alexander.
"Mr. Windsor, you..."
Before I could finish, the office door was suddenly pushed open.
A man wearing a light brown coat slowly walked in, his face bearing some resemblance to Alexander's, looking at us with a gentle smile.
"Alexander, long time no see."
His tone was so mild that for a moment I doubted whether I'd heard correctly.
Carter was very different from what I'd imagined.
With a gentle smile on his face, he seemed to have no dangerous aura at all.
I stayed silent, wanting to hear what Alexander would say, but Carter directly turned the conversation to me.
"Is this your girlfriend?" His gaze looked me up and down with a playful air. "Oh wait, I guess she's not really a girlfriend, she's your new plaything?"
The contemptuous tone formed a huge contrast with the gentle smile on his face.
I frowned, sensing that subtle but uncomfortable quality about him.
He only brought one description to mind: a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"You're joking." I'd originally planned to let go of Alexander, but seeing his attitude, I openly took his arm instead.
Although my family had fallen on hard times, I'd learned etiquette from a young age, and that upbringing ingrained in my bones meant I would never show weakness in this situation.
Right now, my presence was no less commanding than his.
Carter narrowed his eyes, a cold smile escaping the corner of his mouth. "Someone else's fiancée, and you've already gotten together with Alexander so quickly?"
I couldn't help clenching my fist. Sure enough, he'd already investigated my identity.
He definitely knew about what happened before.
I had words to refute him, but this was The Windsor Family after all, and I still hadn't figured out what the situation here really was.
Everything needed to be handled with caution before Alexander had made a statement.
After a moment of silence, the arm I'd been holding suddenly pulled away.
I froze for a moment, then that hand landed on my shoulder.
"She's my girlfriend, and I'm serious about her. She's not some plaything."
The cool voice carried a hint of determination. I couldn't help looking up, seeing that exceptionally handsome face.
Those unfathomably deep eyes seemed to show a trace of genuine feeling, as if it really was just like he said.
I stared at his face in a daze, and he looked down and smiled at me.
This simple gesture made my heart skip two beats.
I knew Alexander was acting.
But the affection in his eyes was so real.
Someone who could act to this degree was actually quite terrifying.
The momentary confusion quickly adjusted itself, and I smiled at Carter in turn.
"Mr. Windsor, that's exactly right."
The smile on Carter's face gradually disappeared, slowly turning into some kind of accusation.
"Are you serious? A woman like this could never have a future with you, and the family would never agree."
Alexander pulled me directly into his arms, protecting me. "This is my own business. Who can control me?"
My face was completely buried in Alexander's chest, the pleasant cedar scent spreading at my nose, inexplicably making me feel secure. I couldn't help taking another sniff.
Protected in his embrace, the voices of the two men talking sounded muffled, as if covered by a layer of fog.
"You wanting this kind of woman by your side is absolutely impossible. Her family went bankrupt long ago, she's not worthy of becoming a Windsor woman!"
"That has nothing to do with you, and it's not for you to decide."
Alexander walked over and opened the door himself. "Leave now, or I can't guarantee what I'll do to you."
I'd been carefully protected the whole time, but could still sense the undercurrents.
Carter hesitated, then turned and left the office.
I quickly withdrew from Alexander's embrace, touching my somewhat flushed cheeks. "What was that about? What exactly is your relationship with him?"
I could completely feel Alexander's hatred toward him, yet he let it go so easily, which even I found unreal.
Alexander glanced at me. "Don't ask about things that aren't your business. You just need to cooperate with me."
"Like just now, acting like I'm your loving partner?"
Alexander's eyes fell on my belly. "I need you to protect the child in your belly, and it's best if no one knows you're pregnant."
I touched my slightly protruding lower abdomen, frowned, and said, "In a while, my pregnancy will start to show. How could it not be discovered by others?"
Honestly, staying by Alexander's side was the most dangerous thing, and there was absolutely no trust between us.
He didn't believe I would safely give birth to the child and hand it over to him, so we could only take this risk together.
"There's a party tonight. Aiden will be there."
The abrupt change of topic made me stare at him. There was no emotional change in Alexander's eyes, as if he hadn't been affected by Carter at all.
Now, Aiden's company was in a terrible state because of me. At a time like this, the fact that he could take time out to attend the banquet must be related to a life-saving cooperation.
Alexander bringing this up now made his purpose very clear.
"As your assistant, I'll bring that partnership to The Windsor Family. I absolutely won't let Aiden get it."
I didn't have a company. Alexander allowing me to use his name to snatch these resources important to Aiden was helping me.
This was also why I'd agreed to become his assistant.
I wanted to use Alexander's hand to cut off all of Aiden's escape routes.
I wanted him to personally experience what it felt like to lose everything and have nothing!