Chapter 198

Chapter 198
Morgan's POV

I watched in silence as David led Olivia away, her designer dress now rumpled, mascara streaking down her cheeks. This moment should have felt triumphant. I had imagined it countless times during my darkest days – Olivia finally facing consequences for what she'd done to me, to my baby. But instead of satisfaction, I felt a strange emptiness.

The tension in Alexander's office dissipated as the door closed behind them. My body felt cold, except for a strange warmth in my right palm. I looked down and realized why.

Alexander was holding my hand.

I hadn't noticed when he'd taken it – perhaps when he stepped in front of me to protect me from Olivia. My heart stuttered at the contact, his fingers intertwined with mine, strong and familiar.

"Looks like I arrived just in time to miss all the fun again."

I jumped at the voice from the doorway, quickly pulling my hand from Alexander's. My cheeks flushed as I turned to see Aurora leaning against the doorframe, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Aurora? What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to regain my composure.

She winked, stepping into the office. "David told me you were coming here to 'catch a criminal,' so of course I had to come support my best friend." Her eyes darted between Alexander and me, clearly noting my blush.

I narrowed my eyes, catching the casual way she'd said his name. "'David'? Since when are you on a first-name basis with him?"

Aurora's expression softened, a genuine smile replacing her usual sarcastic grin. "Probably around the time you were stuck in the hospital. We visited you together a lot and... you know." She shrugged, but the light in her eyes told me everything.

Despite everything, I felt a teasing smile form on my lips – the first genuine one in ages. "So all those years of crushing finally paid off? I remember when you collected newspaper clippings about him in college."

"Shut up!" Aurora hissed, punching my shoulder lightly. "Don't you dare tell him that!"

For a moment, we were back in our dorm room, sharing secrets and dreams. The weight on my shoulders seemed to lift slightly.

Aurora glanced between Alexander and me again, then checked her watch. "Do you need me to stay? It's been quite a day, emotionally speaking."

I shook my head. "Go be with your David. He's got his work cut out for him, cleaning up all the Montgomery family's messes." I tried to sound casual, but my voice wavered slightly.

Aurora gave me a meaningful look. "I should probably give you two some space anyway."

As she left, panic bubbled in my chest. I'd grown accustomed to living with hatred. Now that the object of my revenge had been taken away, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to feel. Emptiness threatened to swallow me whole.

"Are you okay? You look pale," Alexander said softly, concern evident in his voice.

I struggled to maintain my composure. "I'm fine. Just... feels strange. I thought I'd be happier." The admission made me feel vulnerable.

Alexander's eyes were gentle. He didn't say anything.

My phone rang, breaking the moment of intimacy between us. The screen displayed "Ethan." Alexander's eyes flickered to it, confusion crossing his features. I answered quickly.

"James," I said deliberately, watching Alexander's puzzled expression. I mouthed "I'll explain later" to him.

"The authentication results for the documents came back," James said on the other end. "They've been confirmed as forgeries."

"That was fast," I replied, surprised.

James laughed. "You might be even more surprised to hear that Robert is taking all the blame. He's claiming he orchestrated the forgery of all documents and that Olivia wasn't involved."

I fell silent, processing this information. "A parent's love for their child... it's astonishing, isn't it? Even someone like Robert and Catherine can shine with a glimpse of humanity when it comes to their daughter."

"Looks like we'll need to find another way to deal with Olivia," James remarked.

"No need. She's already been arrested," I responded.

"That was fast, too! " he commented, amusement in his voice.

We both laughed, and I found myself instinctively looking for Alexander's reaction. His eyes were fixed on me, warm and gentle. My heart skipped a beat.

His gaze was so familiar, as if it could see into my soul. I once thought I'd never respond to that look again, but now I felt warmth spreading through my chest.

After ending the call, my phone buzzed with a text from Liam: [Dinner reservation confirmed. Two hours. Dad and I will both be there.] The message ended with the words "family dinner."

Family... that word once stung, but now it made my heart race.

I hesitated, then looked up at Alexander. "Would you... like to join me for dinner?" My voice was barely audible. "It's a family dinner."

Alexander's expression transformed from surprise to disbelief to pure joy. "Really? Are you sure?"

Alexander couldn't contain his excitement. He swept me into his arms and spun me around, just like he used to during our best times. I felt his strong arms around me, breathed in his familiar cologne, and my heartbeat lost its rhythm entirely.

I gently pushed away. "I need to go change. And you have company business to handle, right?"

Alexander nodded, his eyes still shining with happiness. "I'll see you at the restaurant in two hours."

The upscale restaurant buzzed with quiet conversation as I arrived. I'd chosen a simple but elegant dark green dress that brought out my eyes. Alexander was already there in a deep blue suit, looking vibrant. Jonathan and Liam sat at the table, exchanging knowing smiles when they saw us arrive together.

I observed the unexpected harmony between the three men. Jonathan acted like a benevolent elder, Liam like a protective brother, and Alexander approached with a respectful enthusiasm.

Watching these three most important men in my life together, no longer enemies but family, felt surreal. Perhaps this was how life was supposed to be.

Jonathan raised his glass in a half-joking toast. "To my daughter, wealthy enough to save a media empire."

Liam jumped in. "And to Alexander, using a woman's money to save his company." His tone was teasing but without malice.

I tensed, glancing nervously at Alexander, unsure how he'd respond to the joke.

Alexander's reaction surprised me. He smiled and placed the bank card on the table. "That's not my style. The three billion is untouched. I found my own way to resolve the crisis."

Jonathan's face registered surprise, then genuine approval. "Now that's my son-in-law."

Alexander's cheeks reddened slightly. It was the first time I'd seen him look so bashful.

"Do I still have a chance?" he asked me softly, his voice filled with hope and fear.

"That depends on how you behave," I answered with a small smirk, raising one eyebrow playfully as I took a sip of my wine.