Chapter 49 Colliding emotion
Zenith’s throat bobbed. “I…I don’t know what he’s talking about. Anyone could’ve touched it.”
Alex took a step closer. “You were the only senior staff member on the floor after closing last night.”
Zenith’s voice rose. “Are you accusing me now too?”
Alex didn’t raise his voice.
He didn’t need to.
“Security,” he said, eyes never leaving Zenith. “Play back last night. Cold storage. Knife station.”
Then Alex turned to the kitchen. “Everyone step back.”
Zenith’s confidence wasn't shattered, but he felt bad that Alex sided with Lucas immediately.
“Alex,” he said quickly, “you’re overreacting, you…”
Alex leaned in, voice low and lethal. “No. I’m reacting exactly enough.”
Footsteps echoed as security approached.
Lucas stood quiet, adrenaline roaring through him, as Alex placed a firm hand on his shoulder—not possessive, not gentle, just solid.
“You did nothing wrong,” Alex said quietly.
Zenith backed away slowly. For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes. Lucas was a big threat already. He tried to calm his nerves knowing that this particular accident didn’t leave fingerprints. So Alex wouldn't find them.
The security officer returned a few minutes later, tablet in hand, brows furrowed. Alex watched his face carefully. “Well?”
“There’s a problem,” the officer said slowly. “Last night’s footage from cold storage and the prep stations… It’s corrupted.”
A sharp murmur rippled through the kitchen.
“Corrupted how?” Alex asked.
“It skips,” the officer replied. “Time stamps jump. Whoever did what he or she did accessed the system and they knew exactly where the cameras reset.”
Zenith exhaled—a little too loudly. “There you have it,” he said, spreading his hands. “No footage. No proof. This is turning into a witch hunt.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. Is there any other place corrupted?”
Yes, sir, part of the reception area, part of the locker room, and part of the staircase. So it could also be a technical fault.”
Thank you, Sam. Get the technician to check what happened.
“So Zenith is free from the accusation?” someone asked.
“For now,” the officer said carefully.
“Yes, for now because this kind of breach has never occurred in this company before.”
Zenith straightened, reclaiming his composure piece by piece. “I think this has gone far enough,” he said coolly. “I was accused, humiliated, and now the injured staff is pointing a finger because they’re overwhelmed.”
His eyes slid to Lucas.
Lucas felt it like a blade to the ribs.
Alex turned to him. “Lucas, go to the infirmary. Get that hand treated.”
Lucas hesitated. “Alex, it's ”
“That’s not a request,” Alex said quietly. “I’ve got this.”
Reluctantly, Lucas nodded and stepped away, every instinct screaming that this wasn't over.
As he walked out, he felt Zenith’s gaze on his back.
“Not to worry, Zenith, just because my dad fuck up doesn't put me on a low level. I will find my way around you.” Lucas whispered to himself.
The moment Lucas was gone, Zenith leaned slightly toward Alex. “You see?” he murmured. “No evidence. Just… tension.”
Alex’s voice dropped. “You’re not cleared, Zenith. You’re just not caught.”
Zenith smiled thinly and leaned in towards Alex. “Careful dear Alex, accusations without proof can destroy a good kitchen.”
Alex held his stare. “So can that poison people's minds against a good chef.”
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.
Then Alex straightened. “You’re suspended from supervisory duties pending investigation. You’ll remain on basic prep and under watch.”
Zenith’s smile froze…but only for a second. “Okay boss,” he said smoothly. “I want what’s best for the team.”
He turned and walked away, shoulders relaxed, steps measured. But inside, his pulse thundered. That was close.
Later, alone in a quiet corridor, Zenith slipped his phone from his pocket and typed quickly.
“Plan B worked. He’s rattled. The footage bought time.”
He sent and paused before typing in another message. “Oh, your money has dropped.”
He slid the phone away and glanced toward the infirmary door down the hall.
Lucas.
Zenith’s lips curved faintly.
You should have stayed quiet.
Meanwhile, Lucas sat on the infirmary bed, his hand wrapped neatly, heart still racing.
Something about the way Zenith had smiled, relieved,and controlled, set his nerves on edge.
And somewhere deep inside, a cold certainty settled. This wasn’t finished. He was the culprit and he will be caught soon.
The infirmary was quiet when Alex stepped inside. The door closed softly behind him, shutting out the noise of the kitchen and the tension still humming through the building. The scent of antiseptic hung faintly in the air. Lucas sat on the edge of the bed, his injured hand freshly bandaged, his shoulders slumped now that the adrenaline had drained away.
Alex moved a few steps and paused. For the first time since everything spiraled, his composure cracked.
“You shouldn’t have gotten hurt,” he said quietly. Does it hurt much?”
Lucas looked up, surprised, and then softened at the sight of him. “I’m fine,” he replied, trying for a smile. “It’s just a small cut.”
Alex didn’t buy it. He crossed the room and stood in front of him, eyes scanning the bandage, then Lucas’s face, as if checking for damage he couldn’t see.
“I let this go too far,” Alex said, guilt threading his voice. “I warned you, but I still didn’t move fast enough.”
Lucas shook his head gently. “You didn’t lose me,” he said. “I’m still here.”
Alex exhaled, something heavy easing from his chest. He reached out, hesitated, then carefully took Lucas’s uninjured hand in his own. The touch was warm and grounding.
“I don’t like that he scared you,” Alex admitted. “Or that he thought he could touch what’s under my care.”
Lucas’s heart skipped at the words. He swallowed. “You came when it mattered.”
Their eyes locked and the room felt smaller, quieter, and charged.
Alex’s thumb brushed lightly over Lucas’s knuckles, slow and absent-minded. “You were brave back there,” he said. “You didn’t stay silent. That takes more strength than people realize.”
Lucas let out a small, shaky laugh. “I almost broke.”
“But you didn’t,” Alex said softly. “You rose and stood your ground.”
The silence stretched, got ticklish, and intimate.
Alex settled down a little closer beside him. Too close for professionalism. “When I thought something worse might have happened to you…” He stopped himself, jaw tightening. “I didn’t like how that felt.”
Lucas’s breath hitched. “Alex…”
Alex searched his face, the question unspoken but clear. Slowly, carefully, he lifted his hand and brushed his thumb along Lucas’s cheek—barely a touch, as if giving him space to pull away but Lucas didn’t. Instead, he leaned into it just a fraction.
Alex smiled faintly, relief and something warmer flickering in his eyes. “I’ll make sure you’re safe,” he said quietly. “I promise.”
Lucas nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “I trust you.”
For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Alex leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Lucas’s forehead soft, reassuring, lingering just long enough to make Lucas’s chest ache.
When Alex pulled back, his voice was low and enchanting. “My Lucas, you will be alright,” He leaned in again, his emotion pulling hard. Forehead touching Lucas’s. His nose, touching his. Just an inch move to feel his lips.